Ethan Walker
Judaism has a strong tradition of charitable giving, known as tzedakah, which means righteousness or justice in Hebrew. Jews are expected to give at least 10% of their income to charity, with greater emphasis placed on donations to Jewish institutions, charities, humanitarian causes, or Torah schools. While Jewish charities have a narrower donor base, Jews may also donate to secular or non-Jewish charities, provided the causes are in accordance with the Torah. However, donating to Christian charities is generally not considered the best option due to uncertainty about how the funds will be used. Catholic Charities, for instance, has become an arm of the welfare state, with a significant portion of its funding originating from the government rather than religious sources.
Do Jews give money to Catholic charities?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Acceptability under Jewish law | Not the best option |
| Obligation to give money to everyone who asks | No |
| Acceptability of donating to Christian charities | Depends on the cause and whether the money will be used for missionizing |
| Acceptability of donating to secular charities | Yes, if the cause is in accordance with the Torah |
| Acceptability of donating to non-Jewish charities | Yes, if it promotes peace darchei shalom and the cause is in accordance with the Torah |
| Acceptability of donating to Jewish charities | Yes, especially those that help the poor, Jewish institutions, humanitarian causes, and Torah schools |
| Minimum amount to be donated | 10% of earnings |
| Donating to specific causes | Donations to Shuls, Jewish schools, poor people in the community, secular organizations that save lives (e.g., Red Cross), secular orphanages, Make-A-Wish Foundation, cultural arts, museums, and zoos are acceptable |
| Volunteering instead of donating money | Acceptable, e.g., volunteering at a soup kitchen, participating as a school field trip chaperone, or visiting the elderly or sick |
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What You'll Learn
Jewish people are encouraged to give 10% of their income to charity
Jewish people are encouraged to give to charity, and the Hebrew word that is usually translated as "charity" is "tzedakah", which means "righteousness" or "justice". The Torah teaches that everything that we have is a blessing from God, and that those who have been granted the means to give were chosen by God to be the givers. According to Jewish tradition, a minimum of 10% of net earnings should be given to charity, though some rabbis have claimed that 10% is a "middling" gift and that 20% should be the outer limit. However, these are just recommendations, and individuals should give what they can afford.
The concept of tzedakah is not limited to monetary donations; simple acts of kindness towards those in need can also be considered charity. Additionally, individuals are not required to give money to everyone who asks for it, and it is recommended to research the charity and determine how the donations will be used before giving.
While there is a general encouragement to give to charity, some sources suggest that donating a percentage of one's income is considered "goyish", or non-Jewish. However, others disagree and view giving a percentage as a religious obligation. Ultimately, the decision to give to charity and the amount given is a personal choice, and individuals should give what they feel comfortable with.
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Jewish charities have a narrower donor base than secular charities
Judaism has a rich tradition of charitable giving, with the Torah teaching that everything one has is a blessing from God. Jews are expected to give whenever they see someone in need, and at least ten percent of their earnings must be set aside for charitable purposes. However, Jewish charities have a narrower donor base than secular charities.
This is partly due to the historical exclusion of Jewish donors from mainstream philanthropic institutions. Mark Charendoff, the former president of the Jewish Funders Network, noted that in previous generations, universities, hospitals, and symphonies were often reluctant to accept Jewish donors. As a result, Jewish philanthropy was largely confined to the Jewish community. Today, Jewish donors are sought after by a wide range of non-profit organizations, but the focus on Jewish charitable giving within the Jewish community remains.
Jewish charities are rated and assessed by independent organizations, which provide valuable insight into their transparency, accountability, financial health, and impact. Donors are encouraged to research and support charities that align with their values and goals, ensuring that their contributions are used effectively and make a positive impact on the world.
While Jewish philanthropists are prominent donors to a wide range of causes, relatively few focus their giving on the Jewish community. For example, in 2021, Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan donated over $900 million to various causes, with only $1.3 million going to Jewish groups. Similarly, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie donated at least $800 million to various causes, with at least $1 million going to the Jewish National Fund. Jewish donors are also advised to consider giving to secular charities, such as the Red Cross, which can count toward their 10% charitable obligation.
In conclusion, while Jewish charitable giving is a significant aspect of Jewish culture and theology, Jewish charities have a narrower donor base than secular charities due to historical exclusion and the focus on intra-community giving. Jewish donors are encouraged to support a variety of causes, both within and outside the Jewish community, to promote peace and harmonious coexistence.
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Jews can give to secular charities to promote peace
Judaism emphasizes the importance of charity and giving to those in need. While donating to Christian charities may not be the best option for Jews, there are many secular charities that Jews can support to promote peace and interfaith cooperation.
One example of a secular charity that promotes peace and understanding between Christians and Jews is the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship). Founded by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein in 1983, The Fellowship has helped hundreds of thousands of Jews worldwide and provided humanitarian assistance to millions of Jews in Israel and beyond. The organization has also funded life-saving aid for victims of war and terror in Israel, playing a crucial role in building bridges between Christians and Jews.
Another secular charity that Jews can support to promote peace is Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). JVP is the world's largest Jewish organization standing in solidarity with Palestine. It aims to build a grassroots, multiracial, cross-class, and intergenerational movement of U.S. Jews dedicated to justice. By joining JVP, Jews can channel their anger and grief into meaningful, strategic action, promoting peace and understanding between Jews and Palestinians.
Additionally, Jews can consider donating to Jewish charities that promote peace and social welfare, such as the American Jewish World Service (AJWS). AJWS is a nonprofit organization that fights poverty and promotes human rights in developing countries. They support various initiatives, including disaster relief, education, and healthcare, impacting millions of lives worldwide.
Ultimately, Jews have a wealth of charitable options to promote peace and help those in need. Whether donating to secular organizations like The Fellowship or JVP, or Jewish charities like AJWS, Jews can make a significant difference while adhering to their values and traditions.
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Jews give to Israeli nonprofits, such as Magen David Adom
Judaism encourages charitable giving, with the Torah teaching that everything that we have is a blessing from God. Jews are expected to give whenever they see someone in need, and at least ten percent (maaser) of their earnings must be set aside for charitable purposes. This can take the form of money, or simple acts of kindness such as holding a door open for someone.
Magen David Adom (MDA) is an Israeli nonprofit that Jews give to. It is Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance, and blood bank service, and has been officially recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as the national aid society of the State of Israel. MDA ensures that its 35,000 paramedics, EMTs, first responders, and first-aid providers have the training, equipment, and medical supplies they need to treat all injured and ill people in Israel. MDA also tests, types, and stores Israel's blood supply. MDA has a dedicated medical emergency phone number in Israel, 101, and the average ambulance response time is 8.3 minutes. MDA handles approximately 2.7 million medical emergency phone calls per year.
MDA offers a basic first aid course for volunteers aged 15 and over, and an overseas program for international volunteers aged 18 and over. The overseas program was initially financially supported by the Jewish Agency for Israel, but has recently been taken over by the Israel Experience Organization.
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Catholic Charities has become an arm of the welfare state
Catholic Charities has a long history of providing aid and support to vulnerable people. However, over the last few decades, it has become increasingly reliant on government funding and contracts, leading some to argue that it has become an arm of the welfare state.
Indeed, as early as the 1960s, Catholic Charities began receiving significant funding from the government as part of the War on Poverty. By the mid-1980s, over 60% of its funding was coming from government sources, and this percentage has remained relatively consistent since then. This shift in funding sources had a noticeable impact on the organization's operations. Catholic Charities began serving and hiring more non-Catholics, and its services became less explicitly religious or values-laden.
The organization's focus also shifted to align with legislative priorities and secure continued funding. For example, as state and federal governments made funding available for alcohol and drug treatment programs, Catholic Charities redirected its efforts towards these areas. This shift in emphasis may not always align with the traditional values and priorities of Catholic Charities and its donors.
The increased dependence on government funding has had other consequences as well. The nature of the organization has subtly changed, and it has become more secularized. The New York-based Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, which accredits an increasing number of Catholic Charities agencies, emphasizes diversity, consumer advocacy, lobbying for more government funds, and organizing for community change—all factors that may influence the priorities and operations of Catholic Charities.
Additionally, the public perception of Catholic Charities as a private philanthropy has changed. When donors become aware of the significant proportion of taxpayer funds received by the organization, they tend to donate less. This creates a cycle of dependency on government funding, making it challenging for the organization to return to its roots as a private charity.
In conclusion, while Catholic Charities continues to provide valuable support to those in need, its evolution over the last few decades has transformed it into an arm of the welfare state. This transformation has had far-reaching consequences for the organization's operations, priorities, and public perception.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no explicit prohibition against Jews donating to Catholic charities, it is generally not considered the best option. Jews are encouraged to give to charities that align with their values and promote peace, and to prioritize Jewish charities or those that help people in need. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide where to donate their money.
There are many Jewish charities that people can donate to, including synagogues, schools, and organizations that support the elderly, disabled, or impoverished Jews. Some specific examples include Yad Sarah, which provides home and healthcare services to the elderly and disabled, and Yad Eliezer, which distributes care packages and food stamps to people living in poverty.
Jews give money to charities as an ethical obligation mandated by the Torah, known as "tzedakah". It is believed that everything they have is a blessing from God, and those who have been granted the means to give were chosen by God to be givers. Jews typically give tzedakah before Shabbat and festivals, and many give in multiples of 18, as the Hebrew word for "life" has a numerical value of 18.
Jews are generally encouraged to give a minimum of 10% of their income to charity, known as "maaser" or "ma'aser". This can include donations to synagogues, Jewish schools, poor people in their community, secular organizations, and other charitable causes.
