CHESED PR OJECTS

All students are encouraged to do a chesed project. This activity is a meaningful way to allow each child to connect to important values of Judaism – repairing the world (tikkun olam) and compassion for others (v’ahavta l’rayecha kamocha).

3 What do I like to do?

4 What bothers me so much about what is wrong in the world and what do I want to do to change it?

1 What are my hobbies and interests?

2 What am I good at?

If your child attends Ramaz, you and your child will be invited to attend a Chesed Project Fair where many organizations will be on hand to answer questions regarding specific projects.

5 Whom do I know that might be able to guide or help me?

Questions regarding the selection of a chesed project can be directed to Sandy Dweck, the Ramaz Middle School Student Activities Coordinator.

The following pages list organizations that students have worked with in the past as well as some examples of their projects.

UJA: DO A MITZVAH, GIVE A MITZVAH ujafedny.org

Student went monthly to a UJA Federation agency and did an art project with about a dozen kids.

Student went monthly to a UJA Federation agency to build legos and play basketball with children in foster care.

Shaare Zedek Medical Center

acsz.org

Student baked challah weekly for 6 months. In honor of her baking, people made donations to the hospital. Challah was given to donors and also to the ill. When she went to Israel, she visited the pediatric ward and distributed stuffed animals to patients.

Team Chai Lifeline

teamlifeline.org

Students raised money to run a 5k, 10k, half or full marathon and the money raised goes to a charity to send children with cancer to summer camp.

Back On My Feet

backonmyfeet.org

Student collected and donated sneakers and gloves for the homeless.

MT. SINAI KRAVIS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

giving.mountsinai.org

This program helps young patients cope with their fears by offering fun activities that meet their needs during long or stressful hospital stays. Some of the activities offered are play, art, school, and socializing with peers.

Beit Issie Shapiro

afobis.org

Student raised money so kids can learn to speak using eye gaze technology.

INNOVATION AFRICA innoafrica.org

Raise money to bring running water, electricity, solar power and more to villages in Africa. One student went to Africa to watch the installation of a water source.

BET ELAZRAKI elazraki.org

Student raised money to redesign and refurbish one of the recreation rooms for kids.

Student ran a 12K to raise money to build a new sports center for Bet Elezraki children.

Student went to Bet Elazraki and spent a few hours building a bond with the girls through jewelry making, singing, and more.

THE SPECIAL CHILDREN’S CENTER thecenternj.org

Student made a carnival for the children and invited the rest of her grade to join in the fun.

MET COUNCIL metcouncil.org

Student packed camp backpacks for kids who were getting scholarships to go to sleepaway camp.

SHAVEI ISRAEL shavei.org

Student raised money for the Bnei Menashe community of India - who claim descent from the lost tribe of Menashe. 4,000 have formally converted and moved to Israel and 7,000 more remain in India and hope to make Aliyah.

WIZO wizousa.org

Student provided sports equipment/facility for the kids in one of the youth villages.

BEIT RUTH beitruth.com

Student raised money to build a professional space dedicated to music learning and therapy at Beit Ruth.

SAVE

A CHILD’S HEART

saveachildsheart.org

Student had a charity baseball game. People paid to play and they also sold Save a Child’s Heart merchandise and other fun items to help raise money for the organization. Later, the student had the privilege of meeting these kids (who were brought to Israel and had heart surgery performed on them) which was a really touching experience that they’ll never forget.

TIKVOT tikvot.org.il

Student raised money to support the organization’s work with wounded veterans in need of rehabilitation and support for PTSD.

FRIENDSHIP

Circle

friendshipcirclenyc.org

Student created a Foul Shot Competition - for every shot that went in, $25 was donated to the friendship circle. He also spent Sundays volunteering with kids.