For Eden Gross and Jorie Blake Rosen — two young South Florida residents — talent and charity go hand in hand. Both girls have a penchant for philanthropy, acting, and creating music.
Ten-year-old Parkland resident Eden Gross, a fourth-grade student at Donna Klein Jewish Academy (DKJA) in Boca Raton, along with her twin brother Jordan, sits on the philanthropy board of the DKJA Philanthropic Kids in Action.
“It’s a great initiative,” says Eden’s mom, Shirley Gross. “Every school should have it. They plant the seeds for kids to understand giving and become mensches and (wo)mensches.”
The board meets every week after school to focus on giving initiatives. During school hours, they visit other classrooms to present philanthropic topics as a way to engage their fellow students.
While both Eden and Jordan love music — Jordan plays the guitar and viola — Eden is more the extrovert who loves the spotlight and recently recorded her first song titled “Shadows on the Wall,” relaying a message of strength and of overcoming your fears.
Available on all music sites, the song costs $1.29, and as part of Eden’s philanthropic efforts, a portion of all sales will go to JAFCO (Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options) and Eagles Haven, a community wellness center created for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas−Parkland community.
Eden is dedicating this series of songs to kids who struggle with mental health issues, especially during the pandemic.
“I want kids to know that they can overcome fears by seeing the light,” she says, echoing the lyrics to her song. “And we shouldn’t listen to those voices that tell us we’re not good enough. Because we are.”
“Find the light inside you so you can shine and face your fears,” she says.
“Helping others means supporting them when they need it the most,” says Eden. “Nothing makes me feel better than knowing I was able to be there for them.”
Across town in Boca Raton, 9-year-old singer and actor Jorie Blake Rosen is also making her own music, with a song titled “Make Your Own Music.”
The fourth-grader at Morikami Park Elementary School in Delray Beach lost a number of acting roles she was up for once the quarantine started.
Not one to lay on the couch or feel sorry for herself, Jorie found a new love for writing music. To cope with her feelings during quarantine, she began writing down her feelings in a journal, which eventually turned into songs.
“You can start from the bottom but can go to the top — if you work hard, you will never stop,” Jorie sings on the single. “I can give you some lessons to sing, act, and dance; I can hold your hand; this is your chance to open a new door to something you haven’t done before.”
“Think about what you want to do because you … can make your own music,” goes the refrain, encouraging kids to follow their dreams.
The song, chosen as an artist pick on Spotify, was released in March on playitforward.com, and proceeds from the download will benefit the local South Florida chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In the first two weeks, Jorie’s song raised $2,000. “Writing music helped Jorie find her voice, and start to smile again,” says her mom, Randi Rosen.
“In addition, we believe in paying it forward,” says Randi. “Each month, Jorie picks a ‘mitzvah’ project as a way to encourage her to be grateful and to give back to her community.”
“Over the years, she has worked with charities such as the Tri-County Animal Shelter, Toys for Tots, No Kid Hungry, and Mini Mitzvahs,” says Randi.
Additionally, during 2020, Jorie performed in a number of benefit concerts to raise money for the Actors Fund.
With the release of “Make Your Own Music,” Jorie knew she wanted to affiliate with a charity.
“My mom and I discussed a number of charities,” she says. “I chose Make-A-Wish Foundation because I love everything they do and I felt it connected well to my song.”
“‘Make Your Own Music’ is about following your heart and making your dreams come true,” says Jorie. “And the Make-A-Wish Foundation helps dreams come true for children, which is something I love.”
She hopes to put out her first album by the end of the summer and will look to connect her debut album to a charity as well.
“I know I am a very lucky girl,” says Jorie. “I look up to artists like Taylor Swift who perform many benefit concerts. I’m hoping I can do a lot of that by using my own voice and talents.”
For Eden Gross’s music, go to Amazon, Apple Music, Boomplay, MediaNet, YouTube Music, iTunes, or Spotify. Visit eagleshaven.org and jafco.org.
For Jorie Blake Rosen’s music, visit www.playitforward.com/projects/334 or https://wish.org.