Teens — like these young volunteers at a Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County Super Sunday — can now join the J.Team, a group designed to foster philanthropic giving.
Photo courtesy Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County
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September 21, 2009
A new initiative, chaired by Tammy Zimmerman and designed to turn teens into philanthropists, is about to be launched by the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County.
Zimmerman, whose family, along with others, chaired federation’s Super Sunday last year, said she recognizes the need to continue educating children on the importance of tikun olam. “The teen philanthropy program is the perfect next step.”
The program, which has been dubbed the J.Team, will bring young people in grades eight through 10 together to pool donations and deliberate on where and how to direct their giving.
“There will be a series of programs throughout the year to teach them about charitable needs and the grant-making process,” said Audrey Napchen, director of Women’s Philanthropy at the federation, who will oversee the program. “At the end of the year, they will talk about all the charities they learned about and make a decision as a group to donate to a charity or charities of their choice.”
Each teen will be required to make an annual contribution of $125, which will be pooled and matched by the federation and doubled by the Karma Foundation, a family foundation overseen by Sharon Karmazin of East Brunswick. Family members and friends can add donations in the teen’s name to mark special occasions.
The program already is in place in 71 Jewish communities nationally.
“By the end of the year, we hope they will understand the power and pride that come from lifelong giving,” said Napchen. “We hope they will repeat what they learn here and become Jewish philanthropists.”
A meeting for parents interested in having their children participate will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the federation’s South River offices. For information, call Napchen at 732-432-7711.
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