 Are 12 and 13 year olds capable of making a difference? Judging by the thoughtful and careful planning of Vancouver Talmud Torah's seventh grade students, our future is in very good hands. This is the year in which our Seventh Grade students become B'nei Mitzvah. The students are learning in Tikkun Olam class that becoming Jewish adults means becoming responsible for expanding their universe of obligation, i.e. fulfilling G-d's expectation that Jewish adults work in partnership with G-d to repair the world. The premise of the school's new Mitzvah of Valuing Philanthropy (MVP) program is to allow the students to experience this in a meaningful way by finding out who needs their help and then granting money to those in need. Through acts of Tzedakah and Chesed, the students are experiencing what it means to become an adult in the eyes of the Jewish community. During the year, students will research, interview, and present the missions and needs of their chosen local beneficiary agencies (or international agencies with local representation.) The students will then work together in community to assess the needs and allocate from their funds as they see fit. The year will culminate in a Ceremony of Giving, as the beneficiaries come to VTT to receive their Tzedakah grants from the students. MVP, the brainchild of Grade 6/7 Humanities and Tikkun Olam teacher Sari Weintraub, is modeled after similar programs in the United States. It is a program through which students become functioning members of their class 'budget and allocations' committee. The resource money is a pooled fund generated by the students out of their anticipated Bar/Bat Mitzvah gifts and other sources, including generous contributions from community members. The Tikkun Olam curriculum is a curriculum of identity, exploration and action. We build the year on a tripartite theme based on the Pirkhe Avot quote: If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself , what am I? If not now---WHEN?? The MVP program is a call to action that enables thirteen year olds to experience the transformative power of this passage year in their lives. Vancouver Talmud Torah would like to express deep gratitude to the Zack family for establishing the Irma Zack Mitzvah of Valuing Philanthropy Fund to support this important program. Contact Jennifer Shecter-Balin if you would like to learn more about MVP or to make a contribution. Or click this link for secure online giving. WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT MVP? Dear Students: Your gift of $1,050.00 to our great organization is very much appreciated. Magen David Adom saves lives and helps our Israeli brothers and sisters every hour of every day. Your generosity helps immensely. I trust that you shall always remember Canadian Magen David Adom for Israel and our beloved Israel, and help us in future years. I am especially proud of you, as I am a graduate of Montreal Talmud Torah, Class of 1954. Keep up the good work and spread the word about Canadian Magen David Adom for Israel throughout Vancouver and British Columbia. Yours truly, Norton Segal, Q.C. Dear Ms. Weintraub, Thank you grade 7 students of Vancouver Talmud Torah School for choosing Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as one of the recipients of the funds raised through your Mitzvah of Valuing Philanthropy program. We commend your initiative to create a unique program which enables young adults to learn what it means to become a Jewish adult and give back to their community. We are honored to be chosen as one of the charities of choice for this admirable program. Sincerely, Rita Thodos BC Regional Manager | 2009 Ceremony of Giving Click here to read the profile in the Vancouver CourierMVP IN THE NEWS! Read the Jewish Independent's article here Read a follow-up in the Jewish Independent here Mark Gurvis, Executive Director of Jewish Federation, commented on the MVP program in his weekly Friday column Click here to read about MVP in the Heart & Stroke Foundation's newsletter Read Seva Canada's blog about MVP 2009 Read Federation's Commentary on MVP 2009  2009 MVP recipients:  |
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