Buffalo Grove youth tell benefits of charitable acts

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Congregation Beth Judea students Camey Zussman (left) and Courney Shub (right), both of Buffalo Grove, won $1,000 scholarships for their Jewish education in an essay contest sponsored by Weinstein Funeral Home. With the girls is Anna Besser, Beth Judea's

Updated: January 23, 2012 2:39AM

Congratulations to Courtney Shub and Camey Zussman, both of Buffalo Grove and students at Congregation Beth Judea in Long Grove.

Each girl won a $1,000 first-place scholarship for their age category in the Weinstein Funeral Home 2011 Scholarship Essay Contest. All students enrolled in Hebrew school programs were invited to compete in the scholarship program, where they had the chance to win a monetary prize toward their religious school education (first place - $1,000; second place - $500; and third place- $250). Students were asked to write an essay of 250 words or less about this year’s subject: “What is the Meaning of Tzedakah to Me?”

Competition was divided into two groups: Zussman placed first in Ages 8–10; and Shub placed first in Ages 11–13). If you are unfamiliar with the word “tzedakah,” it is defined by the website “jewfaq.org” as “the Hebrew word for the acts that we call charity in English – giving aid, assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes.”

I would like to share Zussman’s and Shub’s essays with you – they are wise words to live by ….

What Does Tzedakah Mean to Me?

By Camey Zussman

The art of giving tzedakah is helping others, giving charity and making the world a better place. It is also a way to help ourselves and realize how lucky we are every day. I feel proud that I have followed the commandments and done what G-d wanted me to do. People should not give Tzedakah and expect it back or expect attention for their deed. I volunteer or give Tzedakah because I want to help other people and feel good about myself. Tzedakah is a way of making the world a better place. If one person helps another person then maybe they will help someone else and then the cycle will continue. This would definitely make the world a better place to live. Tzedakah does not always mean giving money; it is also giving time and yourself. Volunteering to help at a shelter or visiting the elderly are ways I would like to help out. When I give Tzedakah in any way, I feel good about myself and what I have done. Without Tzedakah people can die, go hungry or be sick and all alone. It is important to think about other people and not be selfish or ungrateful. I am grateful for the things that I have, so I try to let other people feel lucky too. Those are just some ways which I give Tzedakah but there are many more. This is what Tzedakah means to me. I hope that I have inspired you to give Tzedakah too.

By Courtney Shub

Tzedakah to me means to give. Not like giving someone a lollipop but like donating clothes or food to those in need. You can also give time and happiness to other people. The past two years on Christmas morning I have delivered meals to families around the Chicagoland area. Although I get up early, I feel it is Tzedakah. Seeing the people smiling at you from the door makes me feel good inside. At school sometimes we have food drives where we collect canned foods and I add to it. Sometimes I go to a food pantry and pack food. I feel lucky to be a Girl Scout because I do lots of things with Tzedakah. We have made hats with hair attached to it for girls who have cancer. We have also donated food to a pantry and made scarves for kids. You can also give happiness to other people. Once a year I go to a nursing home and sing holiday songs for the people there. It feels so good to see the smiles on all the elderly people there. At another nursing home, my family and I played bingo with the residents there. Also we have made crafts with an organization called TOV. We’ve made picture frames, bags, cards and lots more. I think that it is wonderful that I have the chance to do Tzedakah all day every day.

July 16

11 a.m.: Franki Martin: Jewelry - Gold and Silver

Noon: John T. Crutchfield: 3D Functional - Mixed Media

1 p.m.: Peter Rujuwa: 3D Non-Functional - Stone

2 p.m.: Steve Tagg: 2D - Glass

July 17

10:30 a.m.: Elliot Hubbard: 2D - Ceramics

11 a.m.: Pat Juneau: 3D Non-Functional - Metal

Noon: Mary Johnston: Painting - Oil

1 p.m. Bo Mackison: Photography

2 p.m. Kevin Hunter: Painting – Oil

Enjoy the weekend and be sure to keep in touch by sending neighborhood news to Aileen Simons at Thewritetouch1@aol.com.