Make a Pushke A Jewish giving box that helps you help others by Claudia Cimini

At this time of year, Unitarian Universalists (UUs) celebrate the holidays just like people of many other religions do. We light candles and sing, we give gifts to one another, and we help people who have less than we do. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), a group of UUs who work with the poor and for justice all over the world, sends UU families a special box to put on their supper tables. It's called a Guest at Your Table box. Each night for four weeks, the family puts money in the box—sometimes they put in the amount of money it would take to buy the supper they are eating that night. Then the family brings the box of money to church and it gets sent to the UUSC to help with their work. Jewish families also have a long tradition of reaching out to help others, and one way that they collect money to help people is very much like the UUSC Guest at Your Table box—only it's called a pushke. The pushke is a little box that's made and decorated by the family. Before they make it, members of the family all get together to decide how the money will be spent. Then they put money in the box a little at a time, until the box has enough money to send to the poor. Sometimes the pushke is called a “tzedakah box” because tzedakah is the Hebrew word that describes how every person should try to help people, help the earth, and work for justice. If you'd like to have a pushke in your house, talk to your family members to find a cause that you all believe is important. Then follow these directions to make your own pushke! MATERIALS & TOOLS Empty frozen juice can (the large size) Plate that's about 3 inches wider than the top of the juice can Pencil Scissors Ruler Construction paper Magazine cutouts Glue Tape DIRECTIONS 1. Measure and cut a piece of construction paper to cover the sides of the juice can. Decorate it to represent your family's tzedakah choice—the project you're going to help with your money. If you will use the money to buy food for hungry people, you could use pictures of cooked food or groceries. 2. Lay the plate on a piece of construction paper and trace around it with a pencil. Then cut out the circle. Make one cut in the circle from the outside edge to the center. 3. Cut out a slot to fit coins or dollars through in the circle about halfway between the edge and the center. Now, pull the two cut edges together and then make them cover each other a little, and glue or tape them together—that will make the circle into a cone shape for the top of your pushke. Stick a piece of tape on the inside of the top to attach it to the can. SUGGESTIONS Make a person if you use the money for a clothing drive. Make a house if you use the money for a homeless shelter. Make a tree if you use the money for a nature cause.

homepage