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April 25, 2003/Nisan 23 5763, Vol. 55, No. 35
Young philanthropistsEditorialA Jewish tradition directs children to put money in a tzedakah box every Friday afternoon, in preparation for Shabbat. This ritual is in keeping with the teaching, "It is good to give charity before praying."The hope is for children to learn to give tzedakah to continue the practice seamlessly to adulthood. This tradition is a reminder for everyone to become philanthropists, especially those at the start of their professional careers. In the new millennium, potential recipients for philanthropy abound. The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix is an option, but there is also the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, the local chapter of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, the American Society for Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Jewish Family and Children's Service, various Hadassah chapters, Women's American ORT - the list continues. Other alternatives are the many non-Jewish organizations, providing donors do not give to the detriment of Jewish organizations in need. In keeping with this array of tzedakah recipients is the diversity of tzedakah's means. Young professionals can contribute in a flat sum, through insurance policies, trusts, endowments or wills. Younger generations already learn to set aside money for retirement, whether through monthly, quarterly or annual installments. In the spirit of philanthropy, they should also set aside regularly for tzedakah. Those just starting their professional careers face clear financial limitations. There is debt from college or graduate school, in addition to car and house payments. However, a portion of budgets, no matter how small, should be set aside for others. The challenge of every young professional - and for us all - is to learn to give consistently, rather than sporadically or impulsively. Another tradition teaches: "A person who gives 1,000 gold pieces to a worthy person is not as generous as one who gives 1,000 gold pieces on 1,000 different occasions, each to a worthy cause." (Orhot Zaddikim, "The Ways of the Righteous") Just as saving money for retirement should become routine, so too should giving here and now to others. After all, during these times of economic recession, the need to give tzedakah is magnified, for the needs within our communities have only grown more severe. When the youngest philanthropist routinely gives to tzedakah, following the tradition of making a donation before praying, that act becomes the answer of a prayer of someone else in need. |
