Working for the World: A Seventh Grader’s Impact
By Eric Steckel | June 12, 2025
Tzedakah in action: Timeless Values Guiding Local Change
Issac Romanoff shares his Avodah La’Olam project and why he chose Children Rising—(you) literacy and education, the issues I care most about.”
Children Rising is honored to receive a grant from Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School’s Avodah La’Olam program for the second year in a row. This inspiring educational initiative teaches seventh-grade students the Jewish value of Tzedakah—righteous giving—and empowers them to seek justice through meaningful philanthropy.
I’m grateful to Issac Romanoff, who discovered Children Rising online and selected us as the focus of his project.
A Capstone Rooted in Justice
The Avodah La’Olam, which means “work for the world,” serves as a capstone for their ongoing community work at Hausner. After examining the value of Tzedakah in depth, each student chose a non-profit organization that resonates with them and embarked on an in-depth research assignment focused on the history and values of the organization. As a class, they raised funds for the organizations they had chosen. Over the years, Hausner students have donated more than $650,000 to causes of profound significance to them.
Will you complete HER Circle of Care?
Through one-on-one reading and math tutoring, and family support, you will nurture an eager child in a circle of care so they may succeed in school.
Will you complete HER Circle of Care?
Through one-on-one reading and math tutoring, and family support, you will nurture an eager child in a circle of care so they may succeed in school.
After studying issues of justice and education, Issac shared, “I chose your nonprofit because it addresses literacy and education, the issues I care most about.” He asked thoughtful questions and was eager to understand how his class’s gift could help more children.
Understanding Roots of Inequity—And How to Break It
Gideon Hausner School’s Avodah La’Olam, or “Work for the World” Project serves as a capstone for their ongoing community work.
During a research interview, we spoke about educational inequity—how students just miles apart can face vastly different opportunities. The children in the schools we serve do not have the same learning environments that other, more affluent students enjoy.
“I chose your nonprofit because it addresses literacy and education, the issues I care most about.”
When I asked Issac what might happen if a parent was never read to as a child, he thoughtfully responded, “I wouldn’t think to do it.” That insight captures the generational nature of this challenge—and the hope of breaking the cycle.
At Children Rising, we echo the prophet Jeremiah’s call to “seek the shalom of the city in which I have sent you,” believing that in our city’s wellbeing, we all find our own. We are thankful that Issac chose Children Rising. His passion to work for educational equity and social justice will uplift the community of Oakland, one precious child at a time.
