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From the Bimah
December 2007

Judaism has no word for charity. The English word charity is derived from the Latin caritas, meaning from the heart. Charity is something you give when you feel like giving; when something or someone tugs on your heart. By contrast, the Jewish concept of Tzedakkah is derived from the Hebrew word tzedek, meaning justice, righteousness. Tzedakkah is not dependant on your feelings. It is given because Jews have a moral obligation to do so. It is not an option, or a choiceÑit is a requirement. Plain and simple, it is a divine commandment. By extension, one who doesn't give Tzedakkah is unjust -- not merely uncharitable.

While we Jews give Tzedakkah in large amounts; we are not giving to fellow Jews and Jewish organizations to the extent we can and should.

Not too long ago, historian Jack Wertheimer, along with sociologist Stephen Cohen wrote an article entitled: "Whatever happened to the Jewish People?" In their piece they detailed what they refer to as the "plummeting ethnic identity among American Jews." Here are only some of their findings.

Far more Jewish charitable giving goes to cultural or non-Jewish causes than to Jewish ones and that percentage is widening.

For Jews 65 years and older, 75% of them feel they have a primary responsibility to give to their fellow Jews within their community and abroad. That compared to only 47% of Jews under the age of 35 who feel they have a responsibility to give to Jews here and abroad.

In a 2003 study of Jewish billionaires, of the $5.3 billion dollars given by what are called, "Jewish mega-donors," only 6% went to Jewish causesÑincluding support for Israeli universities.

I'm not suggesting the sky is falling in on us, and that our future as an influential religious presence is waning. But, admittedly, this downward trend Ñis one of serious concern.

Though there are a number of reasons that contribute to this trend away from Jews giving Tzedakkah to primarily Jewish organizations, one critical issue stands out. It involves a fair and open evaluation of your own Jewish identity and commitment. At its core it asks: What are you doing to insure that your children, grandchildren, your nieces, nephews -- even your Jewish friend's kids -- are connected to the Jewish community? Or, more specifically: What are you doing to insure the next generation of Jews will support the Jewish community and Judaism after you are gone?

Let's face it, committed Jews are more likely to support one another; they are more likely to give a greater percentage of their Tzedakkah to Jewish causes and organizations. So, ask yourself: Are you talking to your kids -- the next generation of Jews -- about the importance of supporting Jewish causes? If you haven't, it's not too late to begin.

Consider taking them and showing them a Jewish summer camp. If they have been there and had a mediocre or negative experience, show them again; expose them to a different Jewish summer camp. Have your child, or those you know, go on Birthright. It's an all expenses paid trip to Israel for Jewish young adults, ages 18-26. What a gift that is! Make a donation to your children's college Hillel, and do it in their honor. Tell them you are a supporter and affiliated with a synagogue and how important that is for a Jew to do and maintain.

Talk to them; share with them; teach them. Share with them what percentage of your Tzedakkah allocation you give to Jewish causes, and to which ones. Is it 60/40 to Jewish causes, 70/30 85/15? Tell them you have expectations that they too will give primarily to Jewish causes. Tell them that when you write a check to support a Jewish organization, it's a privilegeÑand not a burden, and that when you fill out the check it's as if an angel of God guides your hand.

Don't be afraid to engage your children, nieces, nephewsÑbe a mentor to themÑnot just a buddy. If we don't actively see ourselves as an inseparable link to the next generation of Jews, our Jewish community and way of life, will diminish. If we Jews don't collectively support our fellow Jews and Jewish organizations to the extent we can and should, assuredly, no one else will. In the words of the famous Rabbi Hillel: If not now, when?

Rabbi Michael Gotlieb