The Sunday School of the Jewish Community of Kauai sent $200 to Lev Lalev, an organization that sponsors an orphanage for Jewish girls in Natanya, Israel, on September 17, 2014.The money had been collected as nickels, dimes, quarters and dollar bills during our classes on Sundays as “Tzedakah”, a very important obligation for Jews."Tzedakah" is the Hebrew word for acts that we call "charity" in English. However, the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity, which suggests benevolence and generosity. The word "tzedakah" is derived from a Hebrew root meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism, giving to the poor or needy is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act. It is simply an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty, giving the needy their due.As we celebrate Rosh Hashanah this New Year, we are also beginning a new Sunday School year and we have begun collecting again. The students had several ideas of where to send their tzedakah, and selected Lev Lalev. This year they will again consider options and vote for a recipient.L’Shana Tova ,Sally Wilson