News
Is This the Year to Give Jewish?
November 12, 2024
The past year has deeply changed how American Jews relate to their identity. While this change may have been felt at first by students on campus, the ripple effects have extended to every area of Jewish life.
As the CEO of a Jewish nonprofit, I’ve been following and studying these changes like a New York Knicks box score. And from my own vantage point, I’m seeing a lot of changes in the way American Jews give.
The press covered the high profile donors who pulled their gifts from universities over their inadequate response to antisemitism. But what people aren't discussing is how those funds have begun to be diverted to Jewish causes, including campus orgs. Foundations that gave broadly are opening special grants for Jewish engagement for young adults. Jewish philanthropists who never gave Jewishly are starting to. And at least one philanthropist I’m close with has decided to only give to Jewish causes going forward.
Why wouldn’t a Jewish philanthropist have given to Jewish causes? Lots of reasons. Some don’t feel comfortable going public with their Judaism. Some feel like the Jewish community has enough support already. Others never felt they had a place within the Jewish community.
My message to those who feel this way is: things have changed, and the Jewish Community needs you. I respect one who is careful these days, but this isn’t the time to keep your Jewish identity in hiding. Our community needs more support than we ever needed before. Our community has a place for everyone. And who else but us Jews will support our own community?
Most importantly for me, these philanthropic trends are a welcome vindication of something I’ve believed in for a long time – which is that every Jew should have a stake in the Jewish community. In my career, I’m always grateful to play a role in connecting Jews with any Jewish philanthropy, even when our organization is not the recipient.
The world is changing rapidly, and so are the needs of our community. For those who haven’t previously supported Jewish causes, now is the moment to recognize the unique impact of such a commitment. Every dollar you give Jewishly provides much more than financial support. It reinforces the ethical fabric of a community that, for our entire history, has taken care of its own. It connects you with your heritage at the same time you’re helping others connect to theirs. And it empowers our young leaders to celebrate their Jewish identity with passion and pride. As the end-of-year giving season commences, let’s make this the Year to Give Jewish.
As the CEO of a Jewish nonprofit, I’ve been following and studying these changes like a New York Knicks box score. And from my own vantage point, I’m seeing a lot of changes in the way American Jews give.
The press covered the high profile donors who pulled their gifts from universities over their inadequate response to antisemitism. But what people aren't discussing is how those funds have begun to be diverted to Jewish causes, including campus orgs. Foundations that gave broadly are opening special grants for Jewish engagement for young adults. Jewish philanthropists who never gave Jewishly are starting to. And at least one philanthropist I’m close with has decided to only give to Jewish causes going forward.
Why wouldn’t a Jewish philanthropist have given to Jewish causes? Lots of reasons. Some don’t feel comfortable going public with their Judaism. Some feel like the Jewish community has enough support already. Others never felt they had a place within the Jewish community.
My message to those who feel this way is: things have changed, and the Jewish Community needs you. I respect one who is careful these days, but this isn’t the time to keep your Jewish identity in hiding. Our community needs more support than we ever needed before. Our community has a place for everyone. And who else but us Jews will support our own community?
Most importantly for me, these philanthropic trends are a welcome vindication of something I’ve believed in for a long time – which is that every Jew should have a stake in the Jewish community. In my career, I’m always grateful to play a role in connecting Jews with any Jewish philanthropy, even when our organization is not the recipient.
The world is changing rapidly, and so are the needs of our community. For those who haven’t previously supported Jewish causes, now is the moment to recognize the unique impact of such a commitment. Every dollar you give Jewishly provides much more than financial support. It reinforces the ethical fabric of a community that, for our entire history, has taken care of its own. It connects you with your heritage at the same time you’re helping others connect to theirs. And it empowers our young leaders to celebrate their Jewish identity with passion and pride. As the end-of-year giving season commences, let’s make this the Year to Give Jewish.
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