Honeycomb’s iGive LA program empowers Jewish teens in the Los Angeles area to explore their values, practice leadership skills, and make real-world philanthropic decisions by granting real funds to Israeli organizations that reflect their priorities. Through guided discussions, consensus-building, and reflection, participants experience firsthand how giving strengthens community and sustains Jewish life.

In summer 2025, over 100 teens participated across three summer camps in the Los Angeles area as part of the Honeycomb iGive LA Initiative, bringing philanthropy education and Jewish values to life for their oldest campers and young leaders. Moshava Alevi, Camp JCA Shalom, and Ramah California each piloted meaningful programs that connected participants to their values, strengthened leadership skills, and granted real dollars toward causes they care about most.

Moshava Alevi: Meaningful Giving, Thoughtfully Chosen

Led by Jordana “Jordy” Wertheimer, Moshava Alevi took an innovative approach by engaging a small group of older counselors in iGive LA programming. This peer-led dynamic encouraged thoughtful, mature discussions about values and philanthropy. Together, they selected Lema’an Achai as the recipient of their $1,500 donation. Lema’an Achai’s Emergency Campaign supports families displaced by conflict and provides critical aid, including emotional and logistical support, hygiene products, warm clothing, food packages, counseling, and more. By reaching out directly to ensure the donation was allocated in alignment with their values, the group turned generosity into impact in a deeply meaningful way.

Camp JCA Shalom: Tradition Meets Philanthropy

At Camp JCA Shalom, Sophie Schwarz led the Gesher unit (entering 9th grade) through a journey that linked Jewish tradition, philanthropy, and the campers’ own experiences. By learning that camp itself is sustained through community giving, participants connected personally to the concept of philanthropy. “This process not only encouraged critical thinking but also taught important leadership skills like compromise, active listening, and decision-making,” Sophie highlighted during a recent conversation. They explored values, debated causes, and ultimately chose Save a Child’s Heart, an Israeli humanitarian organization that provides life-saving heart surgeries for children worldwide.

Ramah California: Chesed in Action

At Ramah California, Hannah Poltorak guided campers in selecting two organizations: the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and Herzog Medical Center, which supports mental health in Israel.  “We concluded our summer with a Chesed gala celebrating our accomplishments and the camper and staff investment in philanthropy in Israel,” Hannah shared. The Chesed Gala was planned and executed by the participants of the program, giving them the power to highlight the values and mission of the program. Camp offers a unique setting where Jewish youth can explore their values, engage in meaningful giving, and strengthen their leadership, making it an ideal home for philanthropy programming like the 2024–2025 iGive LA Summer Cohort.

Together, these three camps demonstrated how Jewish values, leadership, and philanthropy can flourish in a summer setting. By empowering teens to engage in thoughtful giving, iGive LA is shaping the next generation of leaders committed to community, compassion, and impact, both throughout Los Angeles and across the globe.