Rashi's Chanukah Tamchui Comes to UAHC 66th Biennial

Yoni Argov, an eighth grader at Rashi School in Boston, gave the WRJ/UAHC delegates a lesson in Tamchui, a form of charity that dates to the days of Rashi as he explained his school's five-year old program that not only introduces, but more importantly, involves students in tzedakah.

According to Stephanie Rotsky, Rashi School Social Justice Coordinator, each year middle school students become ambassadors to a non profit group, learning about the Tamchui organization and deciding what causes are important to them as individuals.

"Tamuchui is taught as a time of the year when children are often focused on the gifts they will be receiving," Rotsky explained,"This is a communal giving opportunity that educates our future philanthropists."

Rashi students, families, staff and board members contribute to Tamchui. For one week, five organizations that are selected from dozens of nominated nonprofits come to the school to present to the students. The next week, students from kindergarten to the eighth grade, vote for their favorite choice.

Rotsky added, "In the past, Tamchui tzedakot were organizations impacting children and animals. Now, the charities are primarily child focused."

"Tamchui now is all about kids helping kids," said Rotsky.

Eighteen non-profits were represented at the Biennial. Registrants were asked to make a minimum donation of $18 and then receive five "Tamchui chips". Student ambassadors stood by their poster board presentations advocating for a "contribution".

Aviva, a Rashi eighth grader, knowledgeably extolled the importance of her charity, Camp Sundown, a camp for kids with a rare genetic disease that prevents them from doing activities in daylight. The camp operates during evening hours. Aviva enthusiastically declared, "This is a very worthwhile organization that needs your support."

The philanthropic spirit is part of Aviva who asked her Bat Mitzvah guests to make donations to two organizations rather than to give her presents.

Each of the other student ambassadors told similar stories.

Rotsky said,"Since its inception, the Rashi Chanukah Tamchui has identified 25 tzedakot in the US and Israel and has distributed over $25,000!"

"Attending the Biennial affords us an opportunity to showcase a program that we believe serves as a model for building communities."

To learn more about Tamchui, contact Stephanie Rotsky at 617.969.4444x 242 or email srotsky@rashi.org.