Comments on: Donor Recognition: Balancing Modesty and Smart Fundraising Seven Ways http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/donor-recognition-balancing-modesty-and-smart-fundraising-seven-ways/ Connect. Educate. Innovate. Thu, 24 May 2012 13:25:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Dean Kertesz http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/donor-recognition-balancing-modesty-and-smart-fundraising-seven-ways/comment-page-1/#comment-28888 Dean Kertesz Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:14:02 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=2077#comment-28888 In overall good think piece, Evans and Lapin nonetheless state a fundamental misunderstanding of Maimonides eight levels of tzedakah in the opening of their article that is sadly all too common among Jewish fundraisers who should know better. Giving anonymously is not the highest level of tzedakah, rather it is part of the second and third levels. The highest level of tzedakah is enabling a fellow Jew to support themselves, by providing them with a job, going into partnership with them or making a donation or gift that will enable them to start a business. I stress this point because too many of us in the Jewish non-profit world fail to truly understand the values which we say we support. As communal leaders and professionals we are obligated to know and live Jewish values. Not to give them superficial lip service. In overall good think piece, Evans and Lapin nonetheless state a fundamental misunderstanding of Maimonides eight levels of tzedakah in the opening of their article that is sadly all too common among Jewish fundraisers who should know better.

Giving anonymously is not the highest level of tzedakah, rather it is part of the second and third levels. The highest level of tzedakah is enabling a fellow Jew to support themselves, by providing them with a job, going into partnership with them or making a donation or gift that will enable them to start a business.

I stress this point because too many of us in the Jewish non-profit world fail to truly understand the values which we say we support. As communal leaders and professionals we are obligated to know and live Jewish values. Not to give them superficial lip service.

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