UJIA is hoping to encourage young philanthropists through its new My Fund scheme, allowing bar- and batmitzvah celebrants to create a fund to distribute money to a chosen charity.

The plan is for participants to be educated on the practicalities through workshops and advice from a panel of communal philanthropists.

One of the first involved is Jake Libson, 12, who will be barmitzvah at the New North London Synagogue in November. "I wanted to give charity to people in Tibet after doing a school project, and the UJIA has provided me with the chance to do so," he said.

UJIA head of social responsibility Elaine Robinson explained: "The UJIA invests in young people and this innovative idea sits perfectly with our strategy." She hopes that 250 young people will take part this year with a 10-year target of 5,000-plus, using schools as well as synagogues for recruitment.

There will be two national events in 2009 where participants can meet.