Tzedakah or Tzedek, directly translates to justice, and is one of the centerpieces of Jewish life.

By helping the more vulnerable populations and caring for our world, we can do justice and make our world a better place. This Sunday night, we will celebrate Shavuot, the Jewish holiday celebrating Moses receiving the Torah and commandments on top of Mt. Sinai. Spread within its pages, are 613 mitzvot that guide every aspect of our life. Our class concentrated on the mitzvot of relation; our relationships with other people and nature. By living by the Torah, we can learn not only how to be just people, but also helpful and righteous people.

In the history of the Brandeis Marin Tzedakah Project (12+ years), our students have granted over $120,000 to deserving charities! This year the 7th grade class was able to grant over $19,000 to the following nonprofit organizations: 

Rainforest Trust • Community Action Marin • Support for Families with Disabilities • Jewish Communities Relations Council • Shalom Bayit • Peace Players Intl • The Thirst Project • Surfrider Foundation • Make a Wish Foundation • Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options • St. Judes • Brady Center Against Gun Violence • Marin Humane • Animal Welfare Institute • Canine Companions • Homeward Bound • Environmental Defense Fund • Marine Mammal Center • American Jewish World Service • Blue Dove Foundation • Bay Area Jewish Healing Center • 350 Bay Area • Valley Beth Shalom • Wildlife Conversation Society • Earth Island Institute • Swords to Plowshares • Earth Justice • Innovation Africa • Ocean Conservancy • Child Advocates of Silicon Valley • Shark Stewards • Beit T'Shuvah • It Gets Better