Northridge : Giving Is Elementary to Students at Heschel

Like most elementary school-aged children, students at Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School in Northridge look forward to summer as a time when life becomes easier.

But before they leave, the Heschel students try to make others’ lives a little easier, too.

As part of the “Tzedakah” tradition of giving in the Jewish religion, the Heschel students contribute money saved all year long to several Los Angeles charities annually before they take their summer break.

In an assembly held at the school last week, the students presented more than $1,400 to 11 charities working to assist the homeless, AIDS patients and the disabled.

Their annual gift is the culmination of a schoolwide attempt to teach the students the importance of charity, school officials said.

“In the Jewish religion, there is a moral and ethical obligation to help those in need,” said Luisa Latham, assistant principal. “The word Tzedakah means righteousness. To remain righteous, you must work to make the world a better place.”

Adding loose change and the occasional crumpled dollar bill every Friday to classroom boxes throughout the school year, the students researched different charities they believed need the most assistance and presented them with their savings.

“We bring in as much as we can,” said 8-year-old Avi Horn. “We did it because we want to help them. My class gave to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. We think the money could help them research a cure.”

According to Latham, by picking their own charities to help, the students gain a sincere sense of awareness of the variety of suffering that exists in the world.

“At the end of each week, the children engage in discussions of what some of the world’s needs are,” she said. “They are able to realize what place they occupy in the community. They feel productive, and the charities are always delighted.”