I know you want to label me. You see me in my designer clothes, accented with the hot new “it” handbag and the cutest pair of ballet flats, and immediately, that three-letter word flashes in your head. But before you jump to hasty conclusions and assume my only penchant is for shopping, take a look behind my oversized sunglasses, because there's more to this Jewish teen than meets the eye.

Sure, my iPod contains some music by that blond celebutante jailbird, but it also plays Matisyahu and Adam Sandler's “Chanukah Song.” To some, I am a typical 17-year-old girl obsessed with the latest trends, my social life and, of course, boys. But to others, I'm a motivated, hard-working student with lofty aspirations. And no matter how anyone perceives me, I know who I am inside: I'm Jewish, I'm proud and I'm out there saving the world.

I won't deny that I love fashion and the latest trends, but I also embrace my heritage. I feel tremendous pride when I see Jews in prominent positions—be it government, business, science, sports, entertainment or, of course, fashion. And just like so many of you out there, I have the desire to make this world a better place, and I'll do it one broken nail at a time. Thus, in my own way, I practice tikkun olam, repairing the world.

As president of our local Federation's Teen Tzedakah Project in Palm Beach, Fla., I educate others about teen philanthropy and how we as teens can make a difference. Rather than spend even more money on designer clothes, I put some of the money I earn at my job into my philanthropic fund and watch it grow. And in keeping with the true meaning of tzedakah, the Project emphasizes not only monetary donations, but the donation of our time to charitable causes. This is just as important, if not more.

Let's dispel the myth: You don't need to be wealthy to be a philanthropist. Everyone has the ability to do acts of kindness in keeping with the highest ideals of Judaism. I've traveled to New Orleans twice to help victims of Hurricane Katrina and have worked locally with Habitat for Humanity to help Floridians who've been less fortunate than I to rebuild their homes. I volunteer at community events to feed the elderly, deliver holiday meals to their homes and volunteer at an after-school program for inner-city children.

While all of these things may impress college recruiters, that's not why community service has become a graduation requirement in so many high schools. Service is such a vital component of our society today. Regardless of economic class, we each have an opportunity to improve the world in our own unique way.

Jewish education doesn't have to stop with your bar mitzvah, either. I continue to take classes at one of our local Orthodox synagogues, including Bible, Talmud, Jewish History and Hebrew. Judaism is so incredibly rich, and I have so much to learn.

I dream of attending an Ivy League university so I can build my own career and not follow the path of a stereotypical Jewish woman by marrying a rich husband.

I am here to change the whole meaning of that three-letter acronym. I, Sydney Lampert, am a Jewish American Philanthropist, and you'd better watch out!

Jewish teens, girls and guys alike, can make a difference. And if I can ignore the chipped nail polish, you can, too.

Sydney Lampert lives in North Palm Beach, Fla. She is a senior at Suncoast Community High School. She is president of the Teen Tzedakah Project, the youth philanthropy and social action initiative of the Friedman Commission for Jewish Education, and is a member of the National Honor Society.