(Courtesy of FC) In an effort to bring a daily act of kindness into homes throughout the region, Friendship Circle has launched a Charity@Home project. More than 3,000 tzedaka kits were delivered by Friendship Circle volunteers during the week between Rosh Hashanah (September 16-17) and Yom Kippur (September 25).

Tzedaka is a Hebrew word meaning righteousness, but has come to represent a way to bring more kindness into the world. The Charity@Home project is a way for families to make a big change “with just a little change,” as the kit states.

Each kit includes a tzedaka box, a card with directions, and a starter kit with two pennies. The goal is to drop a coin in the box each day and then donate the collection to a favorite cause or organization. The kits also include a beautiful work of art designed by mixed-media artist Hendel Futerfas, who draws inspiration from his upbringing in a Jewish family.

“Tzedaka is core to who we are as Jewish people, and it bring us so much joy to help bring this daily act of kindness into the homes of our neighbors and friends,” said Zalman Grossbaum, CEO of Friendship Circle and LifeTown. “Our hope is that this project will start a conversation among parents and their children about compassion and giving, inspiring children to become givers themselves.”

More than 100 volunteers helped to pack the tzedaka kits and hand-deliver them to homes throughout Livingston, Short Hills and surrounding towns. Additional kits are available by signing up online.

More information on the Tzedaka Charity@Home Project can be found at www.CelebrateJudaism.com