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Lesson plans, discussion guides, and educator materials for teaching Tzedakah with depth and clarity.

Early Childhood Lesson Plans

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Sharing the Joy of Our Sukkah
Lesson PlanEarly Childhood (Pre-K–Grade 1)

Sharing the Joy of Our Sukkah

Fun preschool lesson plan for Sukkot! Teach kids about ushpizin and tzedakah through songs, stories, and activities that inspire kindness and sharing.

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Introduction to Tzedakah: Little Hands, Big Hearts
Lesson PlanEarly Childhood (Pre-K–Grade 1)

Introduction to Tzedakah: Little Hands, Big Hearts

Teach preschoolers the meaning of Tzedakah with stories, games, and hands-on activities. Kids learn to help others, share, and practice kindness every day.

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DIY Tzedakah Box for Kids and Lesson Plan: Daily Giving is Fun
Lesson PlanEarly Childhood (Pre-K–Grade 1)

DIY Tzedakah Box for Kids and Lesson Plan: Daily Giving is Fun

This hands-on early childhood lesson introduces young children to the daily practice of giving tzedakah. Through storytelling, discussion, and a creative Tzedakah box activity, students learn the importance of helping those in need and how small, consistent acts of kindness make a big difference. In this 30–45 minute lesson, children decorate their own Tzedakah box and practice giving a coin each day, building habits of generosity and empathy from an early age.

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Lesson PlanEarly Childhood (Pre-K–Grade 1)

Two Smiles: Learning How Tzedakah Makes Everyone Feel

Discover how helping others can make everyone feel happy.

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Elementary School Lesson Plans

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Lending to Hashem elem
Lesson PlanElementary (Grades 2–5)

Lending to Hashem elem

This lesson plan is designed for elementary students in grades 3-5 and focuses on the concept of tzedakah and divine reward. Through an engaging midrash from Vayikra Rabbah 37, students will learn how even small acts of kindness can lead to great rewards. The lesson includes a variety of interactive activities, such as a "Mitzvah Collector Tag" game and a "My Mitzvah Sack" craft, to help students understand the value of giving, even in difficult circumstances, and reflect on the meaning of tzedakah in their own lives.

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How Abraham and King David Gave Tzedakah
Lesson PlanElementary (Grades 2–5)

How Abraham and King David Gave Tzedakah

This lesson plan, designed for elementary students in grades 4-5, explores the concept of tzedakah by comparing the different approaches of Abraham and David. It teaches that tzedakah is about more than just giving money; it's about the manner and timing of helping others. The lesson uses a variety of interactive methods, including a warm-up activity, a text study of Avot D'Rabbi Natan 33, and group discussions, to help students understand these different values and apply them to their own choices. The goal is for students to see that both Abraham's and David's ways of helping are valuable and that they can choose to be generous and fair in their own lives.

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Anonymous Giving and Dignity
Lesson PlanElementary (Grades 2–5)

Anonymous Giving and Dignity

What if the best kind of giving… is the kind no one knows about? Explore anonymous kindness in the Beit Hamikdash

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Lesson PlanElementary (Grades 2–5)

Maot Chitim: Pesach and Community - Elem

This lesson plan introduces elementary students to the concept of Maot Chitim, the Jewish tradition of collecting money to help those in need celebrate Passover.

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Middle School Lesson Plans

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The AlephBet
Lesson PlanMiddle School (Grades 6–8)

The AlephBet

Explore a middle school lesson on Talmud Bavli that uncovers lessons about tzedakah hidden within the Hebrew alphabet. Students learn how the letters ג and ד teach proactive, respectful, and dignified giving.

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Lesson PlanMiddle School (Grades 6–8)

An Open Hand and an Open Heart: A Lesson on Tzedakah from Devarim

This lesson plan for middle school students explores the Torah's teachings on poverty and tzedakah by analyzing verses from Devarim 15:4-11. Students will learn that tzedakah is about more than just giving money; it's about having the right attitude and empathy.

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Lending to Hashem MS
Lesson PlanMiddle School (Grades 6–8)

Lending to Hashem MS

This lesson plan, designed for middle school students, uses the midrash from Vayikra Rabbah 37:2 to explore the concept of tzedakah. The objective is for students to analyze how giving to the poor is likened to "lending to Hashem," and to reflect on how this changes their perspective on charity. The lesson includes a text study, guided discussion questions, and creative independent review activities to help students connect ancient wisdom to modern-day actions of kindness and generosity.

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Lesson PlanMiddle School (Grades 6–8)

Maot Chitim: Pesach and Community MS

This lesson plan, designed for middle school students, explores the concept of Maot Chitim (collecting funds to ensure everyone can celebrate Passover) through a series of engaging activities. Students will participate in a Think-Pair-Share activity, a text study of sources on Maot Chitim, and a creative group project to create a video or skit. The objective is for students to understand the importance of community responsibility and compassion, and to apply these values to modern contexts. The lesson culminates in a reflection on how to practice the values of Maot Chitim in their own lives.

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High School Lesson Plans

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Faces of Generosity
Lesson PlanUpper School (Grades 9–12)

Faces of Generosity

Explore Faces of Generosity, a high school lesson on Pirkei Avot that examines different attitudes toward tzedakah and generosity. Students analyze classic Mishnah texts, discuss Jewish values, and reflect on the type of giver they aspire to become.

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Lending to Hashem HS
Lesson PlanUpper School (Grades 9–12)

Lending to Hashem HS

This lesson plan, designed for high school students, uses the midrash from Vayikra Rabbah 37:2 to explore the concept of tzedakah. The objective is for students to analyze how giving to the poor is likened to "lending to Hashem," and to reflect on how this changes their perspective on charity. The lesson includes a text study, guided discussion questions, and creative independent review activities to help students connect ancient wisdom to modern-day actions of kindness and generosity.

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Tzedakah and Family Dignity
Lesson PlanUpper School (Grades 9–12)

Tzedakah and Family Dignity

This high school lesson plan, designed for grades 9-12, uses a close reading of a section from the Talmudic text, Ketubot 48a, to explore the tension between tzedakah (charity) and the dignity of the family. The objective is for students to analyze competing Halachic perspectives, reflect on how Jewish law balances financial responsibilities with communal obligations, and connect these ancient values to contemporary issues. Through discussion and text study, students will grapple with questions of prioritizing community needs versus an individual's dignity, particularly in a case where a husband is absent.

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Lesson PlanUpper School (Grades 9–12)

An Open Hand and an Open Heart: A Lesson on Tzedakah from Devarim

This lesson plan for high school students explores the Torah's teachings on poverty and tzedakah by analyzing verses from Devarim 15:4-11. Students will learn that tzedakah is about more than just giving money; it's about having the right attitude and empathy.

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Adult Classes - Lesson Plans

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Tzedakah as a Moral Imperative
Lesson PlanAdults / Community

Tzedakah as a Moral Imperative

Explore Rabbeinu Bahya’s powerful interpretation of the sin of Sodom as a communal rejection of tzedakah and compassion. This adult learning lesson examines how societies can either foster kindness or legislate against it.

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Chanukkah, Tzedakah, and Bringing the Geulah Closer
Lesson PlanAdults / Community

Chanukkah, Tzedakah, and Bringing the Geulah Closer

Explore how Chazal and the Sfas Emes connect tzedakah, Chanukkah light, and redemption. An adult learning lesson on how giving actively brings the geulah closer.

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Tzedakah as Justice
Lesson PlanAdults / Community

Tzedakah as Justice

Explore a lesson plan for adults on the Jewish concept of tzedakah. Learn how tzedakah is a moral obligation of justice, not just a voluntary act of kindness, and discover its ideal form is to help others become self-sufficient.

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Calculations on Shabbat
Lesson PlanAdults / Community

Calculations on Shabbat

Adult learners study Shabbat 150a to understand when charity, mitzvot, and communal action are allowed on Shabbat, emphasizing that true rest aligns with moral responsibility and spiritual values.

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Members Only - Self Guided Learning

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Who is Impacted by Tzedaka
Lesson PlanSelf Guided Learning

Who is Impacted by Tzedaka

Follow this self guided learning experience and learn about tzedakah as a core Jewish obligation of justice—not mere generosity

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How We Give: Methods, Priority & Sensitivity
Lesson PlanSelf Guided Learning

How We Give: Methods, Priority & Sensitivity

Follow this self guided learning experience and learn about tzedakah as a core Jewish obligation of justice—not mere generosity

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Why We Give: Values & Spiritual Meaning
Lesson PlanSelf Guided Learning

Why We Give: Values & Spiritual Meaning

Follow this self guided learning experience and learn about tzedakah as a core Jewish obligation of justice—not mere generosity

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What Tzedakah Is: Obligation & Foundation
Lesson PlanSelf Guided Learning

What Tzedakah Is: Obligation & Foundation

Follow this self guided learning experience and learn about tzedakah as a core Jewish obligation of justice—not mere generosity

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Adult Classes - Facilitator Guided

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Why Give?
Lesson PlanFacilitated Workshop

Why Give?

Explore why people give through a thought-provoking Jewish values workshop on charity, responsibility, and justice. Includes discussion prompts, source study, and facilitator guide.

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Tzedakah Is Not Charity
Lesson PlanFacilitated Workshop

Tzedakah Is Not Charity

Explore the deeper meaning of tzedakah in this workshop. Learn how obligation, intention, and spiritual discipline intersect, and reflect on how giving can train the heart. Includes interactive table discussions, text study, and practical activities.

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Tzedakah and Dignity
Lesson PlanFacilitated Workshop

Tzedakah and Dignity

Learn how to give tzedakah in a way that preserves dignity and restores autonomy. This workshop combines table discussions, classical sources, and practical activities to help participants explore responsible giving.

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Repairing the World Through Giving
Lesson PlanFacilitated Workshop

Repairing the World Through Giving

Explore why people give through a thought-provoking Jewish values workshop on charity, responsibility, and justice. Includes discussion prompts, source study, and facilitator guide.

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