tzedakah
Some years back my friend Linda and I spent a couple of Friday evenings trying to elucidate our values and begin identifying organizations to support which matched those values. I built an early version of the chart below to guide my research, and I use it now to keep track of my evolving choices and to facilitate giving. The process has led to a larger effort torwards conscious alignment of my everyday actions and values, from what food I eat to where I invest my Roth IRA to how I approach my artistic and business endeavors. Some of that is reflected in the "Other Resources" section below. This page is a work-in-progress.
A few words about what guides these choices... I want to support organizations that are making a difference locally--in the Boston/Cambridge/Somerville area where I currently live, in my hometown, in Israel, in the Jewish and queer communities--as well as those that are thinking and responding more broadly to the root of problems, often through education or through creative solutions that can be replicated, and often by working with kids or teens. I want to support organizations that understand the value of every dollar or hour I give, and use them wisely; that pay attention to their own efficiency and effectiveness; that minimize waste and excess and overhead and fundraising costs; that maximize the effect of every contribution. I found that my values fell into eight core areas of focus, and for 2007/2008 I am trying to hone my ever-evolving list into about 40 organizations across those eight areas which I hope to support on an ongoing basis.
Update Winter 2008: As I give this year, I find myself drawn to certain of the organizations on my list more than others, wanting to feel the directness of impact, wanting to feel the rightness of my choices. For some organizations, I am asking, is this working? For others, I am feeling in my gut, I'm pretty sure this one matters in the way I need it to. Still others, I have benefited and I am giving back.
Update Fall 2009: Again, I'm feeling the pull towards certain organizations over others, and I'm torn between "covering" all the values I've elucidated and focusing my efforts for more of an impact. My parents have recently made sizable gifts to a few distinct organizations, and I find myself wondering, what would it take for me to feel confident in making such a choice? For now, bold below indicates a particular pull. I'm also noticing a leaning towards transformation -- that is, no matter what the core value is, there is a component of individual connection or learning that contains within it the potential for positive transformative change within someone.
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Values
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Organizations
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| Peace. I want there to be peace in the world. I believe we can get closer by learning better communication skills; by teaching people to respect each other; by educating people about other cultures and religions; and by observing and sharing Shabbat in meaningful ways. I believe peace begins within ourselves and in our relationships with the people closest to us. |
Camp Ramah New England Tikvah Programme - a program for campers with special needs within a larger Jewish camp. although I have a lot of issues with the camp itself, this is something they did right, and I'm grateful I had the chance as a teenager to get to know these campers. |
| Crisis and transition and growth support. This is important for itself and because it can prevent so many other problems. I particularly want to find a way to support front-line emergency workers, because they have the courage and skills to make a difference at a time I often don't. Also, to build community and intergenerational connections. |
Community Legal Services and Counseling Center The Community Stress Prevention Center (Kiryat Shmona) or Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma Help for trauma victims or Israel Trauma Care Center for Community Partnerships at Penn - Home |
| Health. Helping people be healthy, stay healthy, get better, die peacefully, be kept company when they are ill, not lose their shirts from a single health catastrophe or a chronic illness. Teaching good health, nutrition, and exercise from an early age and through the lifespan. | Health Care
for All
Parker Jewish Institute For Health Care and Rehabilitation (Hospice) |
| Environment. Should be taken care of. People should learn how. Climate change is a serious issue we need to deal with. Organic and sustainable farming is important. Kids building a relationship with the earth is important, and gardening is one way for that to happen. There is too much trash and too many trees losing their lives due to wastefulness. |
JNF - tree planting, and water |
| The Arts. Are important to our mental health and creativity and happiness and enjoyment of life and fulfilment of self. Inviting kids into a world of art is a mitzvah. I would like to support a good local kids/teens-and-photo (or photo-and-writing) program, but the one in Boston seems to have vanished. |
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| Education. Is important. For its own sake as well as on specific topics. Most especially: Teaching people how to learn better. Motivating. Teaching people to fish. Helping people to read and have books around. |
STWing (Penn) City of Cambridge Scholarship Fund Chase Collegiate School (formerly SMMcT; has a Visiting Artist Program Fund) |
| Human rights / gay rights. Must be protected. | GLSEN
Keshet (especially Safe Schools project) |
| Poverty/Hunger/Homelessness. Must be eliminated. The most effective way is probably teaching people to fish. | Share Our
Strength
The Greater Boston Food Bank (especially Kids Cafe) Habitat for Humanity - Habitat Boston National Alliance to End Homelessness
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Other Resources: