Mitzvah Challenge is a teen-run project where you can meet your tzedakah requirements, and learn about the value of tikkun olam through first hand experience. Help raise money during the year and next August you decide where it goes! It’s a great way to make new friends, and make a difference in Cincinnati, Israel and around the world.

Now in its ninth year, Mitzvah Challenge, an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and supported by the Jewish Foundation, enables bar and bat mitzvah students to take part in a hands-on Teen Tzedakah project. Students are invited to contribute a minimum of $100 of their Bnai’ Mitzvah gifts to a special fund. 

These funds are pooled together and participants determine how the funds are distributed through an allocation process. Their allocations to Jewish organizations are matched dollar for dollar by a generous grant from the Jewish Foundation. Together with other teens from the community they determine how to allocate these funds.

During the past eight years, 214 students have allocated over $100,000 to such organizations as American Red Magen David for Israel, the Israeli Guide Dog Society for the Blind, Jewish Family Service Adoption Connection, Kid’s Cafe, Down Syndrome Association, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Family Services of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Food Bank.