Simon the Just said in Pirke Avot (Wisdom of our Ancestors), “The world is sustained by three things: Torah (Study), Avodah (Worship/Ritual) and G’milut Chasadim (Acts of Loving-kindness).” Tzedakah, the act of giving to those in need is in the category of Acts of Loving-Kindness. While we might think of Tzedakah as charity, a better translation is justice or righteousness. We give to others not because we can or because it makes us feel good, but because it is the right thing to do, a mitzvah: our obligation and our responsibility.     Or Zarua is a unique Tzedakah program that is inspired Psalm 97, “Or Zarua la’tzadik ul’yishra lev simcha – Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright of heart.” With the Or Zarua program we focus the tzedakah efforts at Temple Beth Shalom and in the Vero Beach community. We hope that our elders and our youth, working together, will be inspired and empowered to engage in Acts of Righteousness thereby multiplying the energy sparked by our individual efforts, making a lasting impression on our community.

We have participated in:
Relay for Life, Indian River County Day of Service, Spoil Island Project, Beth Shalom Garden Olive Pressing, Martin Luther King Jr Parade, Literacy Services Holiday Festival