Jewish Community Partners

The future of Jewish philanthropy in Memphis shone brightly on Monday, May 5th, as the Jewish Foundation of Memphis hosted its 2025 B’nai Tzedek Grant Reception. The evening celebrated the remarkable achievements of 50 dedicated Jewish teen philanthropists.

At the Grant Reception, the B’nai Tzedek teens proudly awarded grants to seven vital local organizations serving the Memphis Jewish community. The recipients included:

• Wendy and Avron Fogelman Jewish Family Services, an organization providing crucial social services and support to individuals and families.
• Hillels of Memphis, fostering Jewish life and engagement among college students.
• Beth Sholom Synagogue, a cornerstone of Conservative Jewish worship, education, and community connection.
• Memphis Jewish Experience, dedicated to engaging and connecting individuals with Jewish life and learning.
• Memphis Jewish Federation, the central fundraising and planning body for the Memphis Jewish community.
• Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab, providing compassionate care and support for seniors.
• Plough Towers, offering affordable and supportive housing for seniors.

Carolyn Schrier, Coordinator of the B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program at the Jewish Foundation of Memphis, warmly welcomed the attendees, including the teens, their families, agency representatives, and community leaders.

“It is such an honor and a privilege to work with these amazing Memphis Jewish teens as they learn to be both individual and communal philanthropists,” she said.

The program uniquely empowers young individuals to become philanthropists. As Schrier explained, teens join B’nai Tzedek by contributing a portion of their bar or bat mitzvah gifts, which is then generously matched by an anonymous donor, establishing a donor-advised fund in their name which allows them to support any non-profit in the United States.

“Through B’nai Tzedek, they are able to support philanthropically their many different interests and passions,” Schrier noted, highlighting the diverse charitable inclinations of the participants. In fact, over the program’s history, participants have allocated more than $190,000 to over 1600 different US-based charities.

The B’nai Tzedek teens engaged in a formal grants process focused on the local Jewish community, with $10,000 available for allocation. Throughout the year, they toured Memphis Jewish agencies and spoke with grant applicants. This allowed them to witness the impact of communal support firsthand and engage directly with the organizations seeking funding.

As Schrier emphasized, the teens approached this process with maturity and empathy: “They took part in Zoom interviews with all grant applicants to hear expanded narratives about each program and asked questions of the representatives that were both compassionate and strategic. They made sure every voice around the table was heard. They talked with one another, not at one another.”

The culmination of their diligent efforts was the grant award ceremony, where the teens proudly announced their funding decisions. Liya and Darya Shimony, presenting a grant to Beth Sholom Synagogue’s Tikkun Olam Committee for their Coleman School Winter Coat Drive, said, “We think it’s important to ensure that every child has a warm coat, which is a necessity during the winter, as well as to give them a sense of being cared for through our community.” Wallis Rogin, in support of Beth Sholom Synagogue’s Room in the Inn program, shared, “We are excited to be a part of this amazing program and appreciate all they are doing for our community.”

Mia Katz and Maya Weiser championed Hillels of Memphis’ Interfaith Seder, stating, “We also think that it is important, especially in today’s day and age, to provide all Jewish college students with opportunities and programs that they will enjoy and that make them proud to be Jewish.” Lucy Pai, a sophomore at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, presented a grant to the Fogelman Jewish Family Services at the MJCC for their Diverse Abilities Music Therapy Program, noting, “The program hopes to positively impact its participants through music therapy sessions that involve playing instruments, listening to music, and more.”

Ethan Vanderwalde highlighted the importance of community connection in his presentation to the Memphis Jewish Experience’s Young Adult Shabbat Connect program: “We at B’nai Tzedek felt like this program is fulfilling a real need in our community, and are looking forward to hearing about the wonderful work they will do.” Eve Pai and Molly Kirshbaum underscored the vital support provided by the Memphis Jewish Federation’s Senior Hot Meals program, explaining, “Through our grant, Memphis Jewish Federation will be able to feed a total of 100 meals to seniors in our local Jewish community.”

Isaac Cowens and Jack Shanker awarded a grant to the Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab’s Wishmakers program. “This program allows senior citizens to be granted a wish that they’ve always wanted,” they said, expressing their hope to see the seniors having fun. Finally, Maggie Olswanger highlighted Plough Towers’ Creative Aging program, noting its ability to “entertain residents while fostering a sense of community.”

In closing, Schrier expressed her gratitude to all involved: “B’nai Tzedek gives our teens the knowledge, tools, and passion to make philanthropy and tzedakah a meaningful part of their lives, and this incredible group gives all of us hope for the future of our Memphis Jewish community.” The evening served as a powerful testament to the commitment and compassion of these young philanthropists, embodying the true spirit of tzedakah and promising a bright future for Jewish giving in Memphis. If you know a Bar or Bat Mitzvah age student who would like to join B’nai Tzedek, visit jcpmemphis.org/teen-philanthropy.