We bring Torah to life as we live by Jewish values and traditions of tzedakah, building community, caring for one’s neighbors, and helping to repair the world.
Click here for opportunities to perform acts of kindness with the Bet Am Shalom community.
Tsedakah Family Guide from Reconstructing Judaism
Ideas for places to give tzedakah
Check out the links below for additional ways to do acts of chesed (kindness) on your own or with your family:
Donations of items:
- ArtWorks collects art supplies for children with chronic and life-limiting illnesses in hospitals in New York and New Jersey.
- Humane Society of Westchester accepts donation of supplies to care for the animals there.
- The Sharing Shelf accepts donations of gently used children’s clothing, shoes, books, and infant supplies for needy families in Westchester.
Ways to Volunteer Your Time:
- Areyvut enables Jewish youth to infuse their lives with the core Jewish values of chesed (kindness), tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (social action) so that they become thoughtful, giving members of the Jewish community of tomorrow. Their website includes many meaningful ideas for Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
- UJA-Federation has volunteer opportunities
Being Kind to Animals—Tzaar Baalei Chayim
Humane Society of Westchester provides shelter and care for animals. Volunteers needed.
Caring for the Earth–Shomrei Adamah
Greenburgh Nature Center relies on the help of dedicated teen and adult volunteers for many aspects of the center’s operations, including animal husbandry, trail maintenance, gardening, assistance at special events, and interaction with our many visitors.
Honoring the Elderly–Chiddur P’nei Zaken
- Bronx Jewish Community Council boasts a wonderful volunteer program which encourages volunteers to participate in a wide range of activities to both meet their interests and benefit the individuals we serve.
- DOROT works to improve the quality of life for elders and to bring the generations together in friendship.
Loving One’s Neighbor–V’ahavta L’reyakha
The Miracle League of Westchester is a league for special needs children and adults that enables them to play baseball at a specially designed adaptive field. Volunteers are needed in a variety of roles.
Loving/Supporting Israel–Ahavat Yisrael
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces has mitzvah project ideas to support FIDF.
Visiting the Sick–Bikur Cholim
- Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla has a variety of ways that volunteers can get involved.
- Gilda’s Club Westchester provides emotional and social support for victims of cancer.