The Jewish Federation of Dutchess County recently donated 34 hand-knit winter caps of various sizes and colors to the Poughkeepsie City School District to be given to elementary students.

The Poughkeepsie-based Jewish Federation’s mission is to “perpetuate, protect, and enhance Jewish communal life and well-being locally, in Israel, and worldwide while supporting our greater local community,” according to its website.

Executive Director Karen Hochhauser explained during a recent visit to the Columbus Administration Building, one of the core values of the federation is “Tzedakah”, or Charity, and the organization looks for opportunities to perform mitzvahs, or good deeds. This includes but is not limited to, its annual Mitzvah Day in May and one of its tent pole events, Hanukkah in August.

Hochhauser and the Federation are working with the district on future opportunities to enrich the educational experience for all Poughkeepsie students, including initiatives to bolster the district’s literacy programming. Learn more about the organization at www.jewishdutchess.org