"Tzedakah" is the Hebrew word for the acts that we call "charity" in English: giving aid, assistance and money to the needy and to other worthy causes. However, the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word "charity" suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy. The word "tzedakah" is derived from the Hebrew root Tzadei-Dalet-Qof, meaning "righteousness," "justice" or "fairness." In Judaism, sharing one's resources is not viewed primarily as a magnanimous act; it is simply the "right" thing to do - an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a godly duty.

It is an honored Jewish practice to give tzedakah (charity). Traditional times for making a donation include:

• Birth
• B'nai Mitzvah
• Confirmation
• Graduation
• Marriage
• Anniversary
• To honor a person or an achievement
• As a gesture of public thanks or appreciation
• To memorialize a person at their death
• To acknowledge a Yahrzeit (anniversary of a death)

We offer a variety of tzedakah opportunities at CKA:

• General Fund
  Provides support for operating the synagogue.
• Building Improvement
  Applies to upkeep for current facilities.
• Future Building
  Provides for facilities expansion for current or future site.
• Education
  Provides additional materials for our Religious School.
• Youth Group
  Provides support for our youth groups, KAJY and NoTTY.
• Playground Fund
  Provides for upkeep and expansion of playground equipment.
• Library
  Provides for materials for the congregation library.
• Campership Fund
  Provides scholarships for Greene Family Camp for our students.
• Prayer Book
  Provides for purchase of prayer books.
• Rabbi Discretionary Fund
  Used for special purposes at the discretion of the rabbi.
• Sunshine Committee
  Provides for acknowledgment of life-cycle events and support for members in time of need.
• Choir Fund
  Applies to cost of choir at High Holy Day services.
• Sisterhood
  Helps support Sisterhood activities.
• Brotherhood
  Helps support Brotherhood activities.
• Ritual Fund
  Helps support activities of the Ritual Committee.

If a specific fund is not indicated on the form, a donation will be made to the General fund. If you wish to make a donation to CKA, please contact our Office Manager at 972-539-1938, or e-mail us at office@kolami-tx.org

We have added a new Yahrzeit plaque this year. It is located in the temple sanctuary. An engraved plate memorializing your family member is available for $250. On the date of the Yahrzeit memorial service, each plaque is lit. All memorial plaques are lit during Yom Kippur services. Order forms are available at the Temple office.

Permanently commemorate your simcha or celebrate a person! This sculpture hangs on a large wall in our sanctuary. It is used to honor and remember occasions such as births, B'Nai Mitzvah, milestones, anniversaries, or any other special event. Each leaf on the Tree costs $126 (7 times $18 for “chai” or life). The leaves can be inscribed with any message (within limits of size). Stones for larger inscriptions are also available for $1,008. Order forms are available at the temple office.

In 2006, the Schwarz family created an endowment fund to ensure the financial stability of CKA with a generous seed donation. You can help gaurantee the future of Jewish life in Denton County by helping to grow the fund, either with a contribution now or by including CKA in your estate planning.

Here are other Tzedakah opportunities, near and far:

Hadassah Attn: Fundraising Services 50 West 58th Street New York, NY 10019-2500 212-303-7468 www.hadassah.org Supports Hospital in Israel B’nai B’rith International 2020 K Street, NW 17th floor Washington, DC 20006 202-857-6600 www.bnaibrith.org Jewish National Fund National Headquarters 42 East 69th Street New York, NY 10021 1-800-542-8733 www.jnf.org Trees for Israel Jewish Federation Jacob Feldmann Bldg. 7800 Northaven Road Dallas, TX 75230-3226 214-369-3313 www.jewishdallas.org Helps immigrants, family counciling UAHC Disaster Relief Fund c/o UAHC Development Dept. 633 Third Ave. New York, NY 10017 212-650-4221 www.uahc.org/relief Soup Kitchen Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 1 West Fourth St New York, NY 212-674-5300 The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous 305 Seventh Ave. 19th Fl. NY, NY 10001 212-727-9955 www.jfr.org ZIV Tzedakah Fund 384 Wyoming Ave. Millburn NJ 07041

America’s Second Harvest 116 South Michigan Ave., Suit 4 Chicago, IL. 60606 800-532-food www.secondharvest.org MAZON – A Jewish Response to Hunger 12401 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 303 Los Angeles, CA 90025-1015 310-442-00320 www.shamash.org/soc-action/mazon/ American Jewish World Service 25 West 36th St. New York, NY, 10018 800-889-7146 www.ajws.org Kibbutz Yael’s “Pomelos for Peace” Program ARZA/World Union, NA 633 Third St. New York, NY 10017 212-650-4280 The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism 2027 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20036 202-387-2800 www.rac.org Yad Sara 43 Nanevi’im St. Jerusalem, IS 95141 02-244-2421 The Rabbinit Bracha Kapach 12 Lod St. Jerusalem, Israel 02-624-9296 Denton County Friends of the Family P.O. Box 640 Denton, Texas, 76202-0640 940-387-5131 or 940-382-7273 metro Domestic abuse and sexual assault counseling and shelter Shoes that Fit 1420 N. Claremont Blvd., Suite 107-B Claremont, CA. 91711 888-715-4333 info@shoesthatfit.org Builds self-esteem of children in need by providing them with new shoes for school.