Jewish Academy of Orlando kindergarteners raised $367 for the Pearlman Food Pantry at Jewish Family Services by operating a healthy snack store. The annual program at JAO begins with a cross-curricular study of nutrition and money and incorporates tzedakah (righteous acts of giving). The multi-faceted curriculum includes the benefits of making healthy food choices and mathematics concepts such as counting money and making change. The program also incorporates basic entrepreneurial and promotional skills such as creating a commercial for the WJAO newscast, designing posters, and running the snack store. The children sold snacks to the school's community as well as to the pre-school students at the Roth Family Jewish Community Center's Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center. Using the information learned about coins, the students collected money for snack items and made change when necessary. To conclude the program, JAO kindergarteners presented Cherryl Faye, RIDE/Volunteer Coordinator of Jewish Family Services of Orlando, with a check for $367.

"It is so rewarding and inspiring to see kindergarteners working so hard to demonstrate tzedakah and raising money for the Pearlman Food Pantry. We are grateful for the donation to JFS. Because of gifts like these, we are able to provide food and other services to families in need. I look forward to seeing Jewish Academy of Orlando students each year and continue the tradition. I, as well as everyone associated with JFS and The Food Pantry, am so appreciative of all of the support that JAO has given the Food Pantry throughout the years," stated Faye.

"We are grateful for our partnership with JFS and the opportunity for learning it gives our students. The program not only brings to life the lessons in the classroom such as managing money and the benefits of healthy food, but also the importance of supporting those in need," said Alan Rusonik, head of school. "We are delighted to bring a program of this calibre that synthesizes academic lessons, health, tzedakah and even business concepts to our kindergarten students. As a school, we are committed to giving all of our students even more opportunities, lessons, and resources to change the world."

Jewish Academy of Orlando serves central Florida students of all faiths from grades kindergarten through fifth. The school delivers a whole-child education fostering academic excellence and character education rooted in Jewish values. Jewish Academy of Orlando is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools. Beginning in fall of 2019, the school will offer a transitional kindergarten.

To learn more about Jewish Academy of Orlando, please visit: jewishacademyorlando.org or follow the school on Facebook facebook.com/JewishAcademyOrlando.