This winter break, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (HBHA) fifth grader Tamir Ben-Aharon organized a unique way of giving back at Victory Road card shop.
Ben-Aharon, 11, organized and led a card game camp for his friends and classmates, designing and building custom card decks for each participant. Participants were invited to contribute an optional $15 fee, and every camper chose to do so. In total, Ben-Aharon raised $100 to donate to Meals on Wheels. His parents, Roy and Ariella Ben-Aharon, matched the donation, bringing the total contribution to $200.
What began as a charity fundraiser quickly became an opportunity for community-building, centered around a shared passion for strategy games and friendly competition. Campers used Ben-Aharon’s decks to compete in matches, with finalists playing for a special “booster-pack” prize. At the end of the camp, participants opened their cards together and were encouraged to keep them for future gatherings.
Nearly every aspect of the event was planned and executed by Ben-Aharon himself. He created flyers, invited participants and structured the day’s activities. Adult involvement was limited to securing the venue at Victory Road, where campers were also able to observe larger tournaments taking place after their session concluded.
“Tamir’s creativity and leadership demonstrate that meaningful acts of chesed (kindness) can happen at any age,” said Rachel Kricsfeld, HBHA community engagement specialist and classroom aide. “By combining his personal interests with a commitment to giving back, he created an experience that brought peers together while supporting an organization that serves the local community. His initiative reflects a remarkable sense of responsibility, generosity and Jewish values in action.”
