Tzedakah Fund

Center for Enriched Living volunteer and Beth Emet member Jill Randell works with CEL adult day program member Sebastian on a no-sew blanket project. 

Our Tzedakah (righteous giving) Fund provides grants to social service and social action organizations within the greater community that address basic human needs.

It offers our members a way to support the community financially.

Apply today for a Tzedakah Fund Grant

We are now accepting applications through March 31, 2026.

Center for Enriched Living volunteer and Beth Emet member Jill Randell works with CEL adult day program member Sebastian on a no-sew blanket project. 

Since 1987, Beth Emet has awarded 336 grants totaling $ $152,765.

Grant recipients address basic human needs through —

  • social service, by giving relief to those who are in need and helping victims of violence or injustice
  • social action, by educating the public, influencing public policy, and advocating social change. 

Who can apply for the grants?

Any not-for-profit organization that meets the requirements specified in our application form is eligible to submit a grant application. The Tzedakah Committee accepts applications from not-for-profit organizations directly or from synagogue committees, the Klei Kodesh and staff, and individual synagogue members submitting applications on behalf of those organizations. 

The Tzedakah Committee considers grants twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. You may apply for a grant on behalf of a not-for-profit organization and donate to the Tzedakah Fund. Contact Barry Isaacson for more information on the grants process or to join the Tzedakah Committee.

The Tzedakah Committee will continue to provide grants to eligible and deserving non-profits. We encourage congregants to help charitable organizations with which they may be involved to submit grant applications for future grant cycles. For more information, contact Barry Isaacson.

Apply today for a Tzedakah Fund Grant.

Deadline: March 31, 2026


Spring 2025

The Tzedakah Committee awards grants to deserving non-profit organizations that best exemplify Beth Emet’s social justice core values of righteousness and justice, love of one’s neighbors and for the stranger, compassion, kindness, and hospitality. This spring, the committee awarded the grant to the Center for Enriched Living.

About the Organization

Center for Enriched Living, based in Riverwoods, maximizes opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attain personal success, friendship, fun, employment and community involvement. CEL will use the $1,000 tzedakah grant to help implement a program to provide tailored behavioral interventions including positive behavior support plans, communications, and strategies to better enable clients to succeed in CEL programs and in life.

See our previous grant recipients since 2013.

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