Let's face it. Jewish teens today are part of an American culture that's more about clothes and cash than community and tzedakah.

So in Memphis, Tenn. on an August summer night, 113 Jewish teens decided to do something different. We are called B'nai Tzedek (Children of Justice), and we threw a party with a purpose.

B'nai Tzedek teaches Jewish teens how to be givers instead of takers. After our bar/bat mitzvah celebrations, our gift money is put into a tzedakah fund and matched by an adult donor. Every year, we get to decide on where our tzedakah should go. Some of us decide to donate to various agencies in Memphis like St. Jude Children's Hospital or the Food Bank. Others choose to send their funds to National agencies such as MAZON, the Jewish Response to Hunger, or directly to Israel.

The neat thing is that students and members of B'nai Tzedek not only learn about causes around the city, but we are directly involved with them and have a good time helping out! That's why the 12 members of the Teen Advisory Board decided to throw our first-ever back-to-school bash that would eventually raise $737 to add to our yearly tzedakah.

Here's how it worked: Jewish teens and their families were invited to the party for a fee. In the Hawaiian-themed backyard, we had a blast dancing, swimming, eating, and just hanging out with our friends, while adults stayed inside with desserts and drinks.

Of course, the weather was a problem as thunderstorms threatened the party...but luckily skies cleared just five minutes before it started! The Advisory Board gave a short presentation about how fun and rewarding it is to be a part of B'nai Tzedek. This made such an impact that new teen members signed up for B'nai Tzedek on the spot!

This was such a big event that even a reporter from the local newspaper showed up to take pictures and interview members. While the party was about what teens love to do, something else significant happened on this August summer night in Memphis. Jewish teens were giving back–in a way they never expected.

Cara Greenstein is a 9th grader at St. Mary's School in Memphis, Tenn. She loves to dance and hang out with friends from her temple's high school youth group. Her favorite movie is Rent, and she loves to eat sushi and Ben & Jerry's ice cream.