Kind Kids: Summer 2025
Welcome to our seasonal blog series, “Kind Kids,” where we celebrate the inspiring young individuals in our community who are making a difference for pets in need and spreading kindness! Each post will spotlight a young advocate who has shown exceptional compassion and generosity towards homeless pets in need.
Koren posing with Eve the cat and his donation to JHS
This season we’re highlighting Koren Rothberg, whose generosity and service began when he first learned about the Jacksonville Humane Society by helping with his mother’s foster kittens during COVID-19. “I got to help feed and clean the very tiny kittens and socialize them,” Koren explained.
Earlier this year, Koren donated a portion of his monetary gifts from his Bar Mitzvah to support the mission at the JHS. “I received many wonderful gifts from family and friends for my Bar Mitzvah which is a very important milestone where I learn how to read the Torah scroll in its original text and study what that text means. I chose to donate a portion of the monetary gifts I received to JHS.”
Tying in his compassion for animals with this meaningful tradition, Koren expressed his joy in lending a helping hand. “As part of my Bar Mitzvah, an important part of it is to understand my place in the community to repair and rebuild the world.”
Koren holding a kitten during Kitten Time at Winter Break camp
Koren is no stranger to devoting time to the shelter animals at JHS. He has frequently attended summer camp at JHS over the last several years, becoming an expert on topics like dog and cat behavior and body language, animal enrichment, and promoting pets for adoption. “I had a deeper understanding of JHS when I went to summer camp there and all the work the volunteers and workers commit to,” he stated.
His connection to JHS doesn’t stop there. He has even adopted several animals from JHS in the past, with his most recent addition to the family being his dog, Honey. “My family and I adopted three cats in the last few years, and we recently adopted our dog Honey, this past summer.”
Koren with his three cats Sergeant Major, Artemis, Beef, and his dog Honey, all adopted from JHS
In addition to raising money for JHS, Koren also arranged for his school, Martin J Gottlieb Day School, to visit to JHS to complete some service projects for the animals living in our shelter. “Also, at my school, Martin J Gottlieb Day School, we have a dedicated time where we do good deeds one afternoon a week. We go out into the community to learn and to help others. I helped our school and JHS connect, because I wanted my friends and classmates to see what they do at JHS and learn how they can help the animals,” he said.
Reflecting on his thoughtful donation and service dedicated to the pets at JHS, Koren stated, “I donated the money because of the difference it makes and what the animals’ lives would be like if they didn’t have food, medicine and enrichment.”
Koren making a gingerbread treat for the dogs at JHS
For Koren, the true measure of kindness is having a courteous personality and goes beyond acts of service. “Kindness is being generous, good, nice and respectful to the people and to animals and to the world around you.”
Koren hopes to inspire kids like him to get involved in helping homeless pets. His advice to his peers looking to take action to help animals in need? “If you want to take action my suggestion is to start a fundraiser around an important event like a big school function or a birthday and talk to people about your event and spread the news through email, text, or other community events.” His words echo that of the JHS motto – generosity breeds joy – and demonstrate how kind-hearted acts can not only inspire change in others but also bring everyone together.
We are so grateful for Koren’s commitment to helping pets in need within our community. His effort shows that you can embrace your community to make a difference in the world and inspires us to promote positive change for all.
Learn more about how you can get involved:
Do you know a young animal advocate who you think should be featured in this series? We’d love to hear about them: