Each day, after parking my car in our driveway, I automatically reach into my mailbox to remove whatever is waiting for me. Lately I am barely able to hold all of the many letters which are stuffed inside it. Momentarily forgetting that no one of any significance sends handwritten letters anymore, I am eager to check the pile out. One after the other, each envelope is more colorful than the next, each from a different tzedakah organization requesting donations for their very important causes. Please do not misunderstand me;I understand the great need and great work that each of these groups is involved in. What I cannot figure out is how it would be possible for me or anyone else to actually respond with a donation to each one. One day I literally took a picture of the myriad of envelopes which I had received upon my homecoming. By the way, none of them were local organizations. I am sure that each one is worthwhile, but I for sure am not able to donate to each one and I am certain that many others are in a similar position. Of course there are local facilities that we are all more familiar with. Each shul, the mikvah, Project Ezrah, Sharsheret, Chabad, Tomchei Shabbos, Friendship Circle—I could go on and on. Where does it end and what is the solution to such a growing number of organizations that rightfully deserve to be supported?
I honestly do not know. Anyone who has had the fortune or misfortune to be a patient in a hospital knows the amazing chesed performed by Satmar Bikur Cholim, Chesed 24/7 local and others. Need a snack, a meal for Shabbos, a kiddush cup, a yarmulke, a place to relax and put your feet up? Tell me about another group that provides such accommodations to patients of their faith.
What could possibly be said about Chai Lifeline? One should never have to wait for a child to be diagnosed with cancer to support the amazing work of this organization. It extends far beyond the hospital, allowing so many to attend Camp Simcha and various functions during the year, and to the kindness of tons of volunteers who reach out and never forget who their Chai Lifeline charges are!
What can be said about Friendship Circle? Does it matter that one does not have a child with special needs to donate to this outstanding organization? Forget how it helps those with special needs and concentrate on what it is doing for volunteers and their families in familiarizing them with the fact that special needs recipients are people just like them. They laugh, they cry, and they have many desires that others just do not realize.
So where do we go and how do we choose? I remember the day years ago when someone told me that they put a $1 bill in each envelope and returned it to the sender. I wonder if anyone still does that and if the postage being paid covers at least part of the donation.
Every few months, I buy a lottery ticket for $1 or $2 and always tell the person that I am buying it in the hope that I win a major prize because he would benefit from it as well. I have also often told my family after purchasing such a ticket that my dream would be to take them all to Israel. Obviously Hashem has other plans for me since my dream remains a dream. Funny— I just remembered that during the many years as a young child that I wrote letters to my grandmother, Betty Struck, who lived in Haifa, she would write to me as well, always telling me that she was buying a Mifal Hapais ticket (the Israeli government owned lottery) so that she could send for me if she won. It seems logical to me that I must have inherited her genes. We both won in life (she and my grandfather escaped from Berlin as did all of their children), and I married the world’s best man.
Returning to the subject at hand, I do not know the answer. I consulted with one of my rabbinical grandsons as to whether or not there is a halacha about how to handle this situation. He clarified that the rabbonim have said that our first priorities in giving should be to our families, the second to our city and the third to Eretz Yisroel. At a time when all of our worlds are in such flux because of the terrible tragedies that have befallen our brothers and sisters in Israel, we are torn even more as to where to direct our donations. One thing is for sure, and that is wherever one decides to give will bring all of us a step closer to a special place in Shamayim.
The other thought which comes to mind is that there are other ways of giving tzedakah if dollars and cents are not easily available. Reaching out and volunteering our time can be invaluable to various organizations. Instead of putting one’s hand in their pocket, perhaps consider putting one’s heart into giving of your time to others. Tomchei Shabbos, I am sure, could use drivers and volunteers; Bikur Cholim at Holy Name could use volunteers; there are few organizations in the neighborhoods surrounding us that would not welcome volunteers. Don’t forget BVAC, TVAC and Chaveirim— they may be looking for volunteers as well. For some, similar to myself, this is an easier way to give back than writing a check, and for others, think about that and make your donation even more!
Nina Glick can be reached at [email protected]
