Tzedakah Initiative

The mission of the Tzedakah Initiative is to raise money for Tzedakah (charity) from Beth Shalom members and friends. Donations are “bundled” and once a year awarded to one or more local not-for-profit organizations that have had a positive and supportive influence on people in need here in Bloomington. Some money is held in reserve so that we can quickly respond to local community emergencies.

At the end of each year, there is a gala/meeting to which all members of the Tzedakah Initiative are invited. Before then, the members of the Steering Committee vet local non-profits and select several which they think might be deserving of receiving Tzedakah funds. Each group’s mission and effectiveness in the community are presented to members at the gala/meeting, and members vote for the organization(s) they wish to receive our gift. 

In 2015, the Tzedakah Initiative awarded $3,000 to the Bloomington non-profit Stepping Stones. In 2016, $4,500 was awarded to Community Kitchen; and in 2017, $5,500 was given to Volunteers in Medicine (VIM). In 2018, we selected the previous three runners-up and split our total donation of $6,000 among The Shalom Center, Amethyst House, and Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. In 2019, $6,500 was awarded to New Hope for Families. In 2020, $8,000 was given to Fairview Elementary School; in 2021, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard received $6,000; and in 2022, $5,000 was awarded to New Hope for Families.

Questions? Please contact the office of Beth Shalom, or a member of the Tzedakah Initiative Steering Committee:

Paula Gordon 

Stephen Pock

Julie Bloom

The suggested annual donation amount is $90 per person (or $180 per two-adult household). You may give more or less; any donation makes you a member. The gifting period for the Initiative is January 1st through December 31st of each year.