Chesed

Chesed at Ida Crown

At Ida Crown, we believe in the importance of chesed, or acts of kindness, as a core value of our Torah institution. We expect each student to actively contribute to the community through volunteer work throughout their time here. 

To graduate, students must complete a total of 80 hours of chesed over four years: 40 hours by the end of sophomore year, and another 40 hours before graduation. While many students use summer vacation to accumulate these hours, we require at least 10 hours per year to be completed during the school year.

Our chesed program is self-directed, allowing students to choose volunteer opportunities that align with their interests. If you’re unsure whether an activity qualifies, please consult Mrs. Gold or Rabbi Fliegelman.

Students who go above and beyond, completing more than 40 hours in a single school year, will be honored at the Torah Awards Banquet in May. Additionally, those who accumulate over 250 hours during their time at ICJA will be inducted into the Debra L. Katzin z”l Chesed Society, with recognition at graduation and on a plaque in our Humanities wing. These hours must come from at least two different organizations.

Key points to remember:

• 80 hours of chesed are required to graduate, sourced from more than one organization.
• A maximum of 40 summer hours can count toward the 80-hour requirement. Additional summer hours can be applied toward the 250-hour Chesed Society goal.
• A minimum of 10 hours per year must be completed during each school year.
• A maximum of 10 hours can be earned for a Shabbaton, such as serving as an advisor for Jr. NCSY or Yachad.
• Chesed hours cannot be earned during the school day.

Starting in the fall of 2025, all chesed-related communications and submissions will be managed through the ChesedWorks app, pre-installed on school-issued iPads.

If you have any questions, please reach out. We look forward to helping you discover your passion for chesed.

Any student who accumulates over 250 hours over the course of their tenure at ICJA is eligible for induction into the Debra L. Katzin z”l Chesed Society at the Torah Awards Banquet of their senior year. The total hours must be from at least two organizations, with no more then 60% of the total hours coming from any one organization.

Any student who accumulates more than 80 hours within a school year receives a special award at the Torah Awards Banquet.

Following are agencies that offer volunteer positions to ICJA students. There are hundreds of other acceptable community service options available in the greater Chicago community. We encourage students to seek options that may interest them. However, please remember that prior approval is required from our school. Contact Rabbi Fliegelman, ICJA chesed director, with any questions.