Jewish Community News

News: April 2008

Twelve-year-old raises funds to fight human trafficking in Israel
By Keren Hendel

      As a part of my seventh grade class at Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School (Hausner) called Avodah L’Olam  we are asked to choose an organization that we would like to support, and then offer a donation from fundraising organized by the students.
    I chose an Israeli organization called Atzum.  Atzum helps Israeli survivors of terror and their families; it helps Righteous Gentiles who live in Israel; and Atzuit  runs a task force against human trafficking in Israel.
      I found out about Atzum from my uncle and as I learned more and more about this organization, I felt more confident about my decision to help these causes and the organization.
    As part of our school project we raise money for the Avodah L’Olam Philanthropy Fund through private donations and fundraising activities. We also agreed as a class to donate to this fund instead of giving each other bar/bat mitzvah gifts.  After we hear from each student about their organization, we allocate the money we raised to each of the different organizations. On May 29, 2008 during our “Celebration of Tzedakah” we present the allocation to the organizations. I will also be volunteering my time to help with the Freedom Seder to End Human Trafficking held on March 30  because I cannot go to Israel and help Atzum directly.