TORONTO — La’azor is an organization of nine students who want to make a difference through passion, creativity and fun.

 “We are realistic, but we know that if you can change even one person’s life, then you have changed the world,” said founding member David Tock, 23. “We want to become better people, so we work together, learning about current events and global issues that might not be covered on the national news.”

Tock, who is currently a biology student at York University, started the organization in October 2012 after being inspired by the values he gained at Camp Northland-B’nai Brith. He said La’azor takes an innovative approach when it comes to fundraising and strives for originality.

The members of La’azor – which means “to help” in Hebrew – meet once a week to discuss issues ranging from animal treatment to Israel and politics. “Generally, we cover topics that the members might be aware of but could use a bit more of an understanding,” Tock said, “and topics that they might not have any idea of but are still serious issues that exist in the world.”

Beyond discussion and learning, Tock said the group also works on planning events to help raise money for charities or causes that the members are passionate about. Their March 2 Bar Mitzvah Bash was a big milestone.

Through ticket sales, fundraising and a silent auction at the party, La’azor chose to support the Jewish Camp Council of Toronto’s Send a Kid to Camp Foundation and Save a Child’s Heart – an Israeli non-profit organization that provides free cardiac surgery for infants and children from underprivileged areas.

Tock said the event was a success, which has “really added a lot of fuel to the fire. We want to continue helping others and continue learning. I think our immediate future will be more based on volunteering as a group, trying to arrange for some speakers to come in and provide a bit more of a focus on gaining a perspective beyond what we are exposed to on a daily basis.”

Since many kids and young adults are constantly bringing attention to serious world issues, Tock said having a group like La’azor is necessary. “It allows us to come together and become aware, and in turn advocate for others who need to be heard.”

For more information, visit www.laazor.com.