Power of Jewish Children Finalists

How do cooking, a jump-a-thon, fundraising and preforming arts connect? These are all ways that Jewish children are impacting our world!

The winners of the Power of Jewish Children contest will receive a cash prize, a donation to a charity of their choice, and additional valuable prizes.

Winners will be flown to New York to be a part of Tzivos Hashem’s annual Gala at the Grand Prospect Hall on December 8th, 2014, hosted by Joel Chasnoff and featuring a live award ceremony and a concert by Benny Friedman.

The Power of Jewish Children award committee would like to congratulate the winners:

Proudly wearing a kippah and openly explaining his restrictions due to kashrut, Eitan Bernath appeared on the first ever kid’s episode of the Food Network’s popular cooking show “Chopped.” From the initial casting calls up to the show’s taping, Eitan amplified Kiddush Hashem. His incredible menchlichkeit and grace under pressure resonated with the larger Jewish community as emails nationwide poured into his personal website praising his obvious Jewish pride and commitment. He is proud to represent the new generation of kosher chefs and is happy to have inspired so many other young Jewish children to follow their dreams.

Caley Coughlan is a Friendship Circle volunteer who would participate in bowling activities on Sunday. Her bowling buddy was Jeremy. Though Jeremy’s physical abilities were limited, his ability to inspire others was as strong as ever. Jeremy’s smile shone for miles, and his enthusiasm was contagious. He loved being surrounded by music, action, and noise. After Jeremy’s untimely passing, Caley resolved to keep his memory alive by starting Jeremy’s Jump. Her goal was to enable children with special needs to share their smiles and enthusiasm with others. Caley founded a program called Jeremy’s Jump, a 10-hour relay jump-a-thon to raise awareness, funds, and promote acceptance of children and teens with special needs.

Mendel Minkowicz, whose mother Rashi passed away tragically and suddenly this March, initiated a campaign to raise funds for a new Chabad Center in Alpharetta, Georgia, to be named Rashi’s Campus in his mother’s memory. To date, the campaign has raised over 3 million dollars which included a substantial amount raised through Mendel campaign called 1818forRashi. Mendel was determined to run an initiative that would further his mother’s ideals of loving and caring for each and every Jew that crossed her path. He is seeing success far beyond what could have been expected for a man of his young age.

Both Chloe Dahan and Jamie Zimmerman first attended a Friendship Circle San Diego special needs awareness workshop when they were just 10 and 11. After attending many Friendship Circle events together, the girls were inspired to make a difference themselves and create a new, on-going, performing arts program called Shooting Stars. Chloe and Jamie organized the program, designed fliers, designed and ordered t-shirts, planned the curriculum, and recruited friends, volunteers and local performing arts experts to participate. They are shining examples of the power of volunteerism and the tremendous impact they have on Jewish Children in our community.

The award ceremony, including Benny Friedman will be broadcasted live on Monday, December 8th at 7:00 pm.