About Tzedek Hillel

Tzedek Hillel engages students in social action programming both on the university campus and in the broader community. Framed by the Jewish imperatives of tzedakah (righteousness), gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness), and tikkun olam (repairing the world), students are encouraged to get involved in volunteerism, social justice and community action.

In February 2004, Tzedek Hillel at Hillel of Greater Toronto received the Tzedek Exemplar of Excellence Award from Hillel International. This annual award honours original, innovative and creative programs that work towards the mission of tikkun olam.

Highlights From the 2005-2006 Year

This year incredible leaps have been made in spreading the message of tikkum olam to students across Toronto. Focus Africa was a tremendous success with the real-life hero of the film "Hotel Rwanda", Paul Rusesabagina and UN Special Envoy Stephen Lewis addressing humanitarian issues. Many students have taken it upon themselves to jump start the Save Darfur campaign on campus. The two hurricane recovery missions to Mississippi and New Orleans provided students with the opportunity to participate in rebuilding communities devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The annual tutoring program in partnership with King Edward Public School ran at full capacity this year.

Programs for 2006-2007

Tzedek Hillel is looking forward to working with many new partners this year. We began working with the Ronald MacDonald House this summer--a home away from home for families of children who must travel to Toronto to receive life saving medical treatment--and will continue working with them this year. We also had a tremendous volunteer day with Habitat for Humanity and are looking forward to another build soon!

We are also excited to announce a new ongoing volunteer opportunity--a Homework Club program in partnership with Jewish Family and Child Service. Volunteers will be asked to commit to helping children with their homework one evening per week.

The UofT tutoring program will also be up and running for its 7th year!

Tzedek Hillel will again be focusing its attention on the genocide in Darfur with many educational and advocacy programs.

Tzedek Hillel will be on the move again this year! Plans are under way for trips to Uruguay, Central America, Israel and more rebuilding efforts in the United States.

Tzedek Hillel Volunteer Opportunities
2006-2007

These are our ongoing opportunities for the year. We will offer one day volunteer programs that you can sign up for.

1) King Edward Public School Literacy Tutoring Program
We are very excited to be running this program for 7th year! It is a partnership with King Edward Public School which is located on Lippincott Street near the UofT campus. We are looking for up to 20 students who are prepared to commit one hour per week to tutor an elementary school child. The day of the week and time are based on the tutor’s schedule. The program is based on the academic calendar so tutors are not expected to go to the school during breaks and exams.

2) JF&CS Homework Club
This is the first year that we are running this program and are very excited to be getting it off the ground! We are looking for up to 15 students who will help children with their homework. The program will run Tuesday nights from 6-7:30pm at the Promenade office of JF&CS. This program will also run based on the academic calendar.

3) JWI (Jewish Women International)
This is also a new partnership program for Hillel and JWI. We are going to train our students to go into high schools and youth groups to talk to students about dating abuse and abuse in the home. Workshops will begin running at CHAT and move to other organizations from there. This is an excellent volunteer opportunity for students who enjoy mentoring high school students and facilitating workshops. Volunteers may present as many or as few times as they wish.

4) Street Youth Art School
The Toronto District School Board is opening a new school for street youth who can gain high school credits by doing visual art co-ops in the community. The school will be opening this year. Volunteers are needed to help launch the school and eventually to mentor the student artists.

5) Reena
We are in the process of creating a volunteer program for our students which will build on the partnership which already exists between the two organizations. Stay tuned for details!

How to get involved

Contact Stephanie Krasman at 416-913-2427 [email protected].