Tzedakah Blessing Song: Explore Justice with Kiddos

Music has a special way of teaching values and inspiring action for learners of all ages. When I wrote my Tzedakah song, I wanted it to reflect the true meaning of tzedakah, a word often mistranslated as “charity.” Its roots in the Hebrew word tzedek, meaning justice, remind us that tzedakah isn’t just about giving money—it’s about pursuing fairness and kindness in the world.

This song incorporates the blessing traditionally recited when we give tzedakah, woven into the chorus to reinforce the sacredness of the act. It serves as a beautiful reminder that through our giving, we fulfill a mitzvah (commandment) and play a part in creating a more just and kind world.

Moving Beyond “Penny in the Pushke”

I get that the song “Penny in the Pushke” has been a beloved favorite in many early childhood settings. While it certainly has its charm, I encourage anyone who still uses it to ask a few of the children they teach, “What’s a pushke?” or even, “What’s a penny?” The answers might surprise you—and hint at how the song could feel a little outdated. (Besides, pennies don’t go far in creating justice these days, but that’s a conversation for another time!)

Instead, I wanted to create a song that speaks directly to the values of tzedakah as action—helping, sharing, building, and loving—to make the world a safer, kinder, and more just place for everyone.