Tzedakah

By JoAnn Turnquist
President and CEO, Central Carolina Community Foundation
November 29, 2013

Happy Hanukkah, everyone! In addition to preparing for our Thanksgiving holiday, tonight we celebrate the third night of the Festival of Lights, an eight-day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights on the nine-branched Menorah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. Special meals are prepared and in many families, particularly in North America and Israel, gifts are exchanged.

One very special aspect of this ancient Hebrew celebration, and in fact of Judaism, is Tzedakah.  Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for charity. But the interesting thing about tzedakah is that while charity suggests benevolence or generosity, the root of the word actually signifies fairness and justice. In Judaism, giving is not viewed as generous or magnanimous, but simply a righteous act. The right thing to do.

Makes you reflect a bit, doesn’t it? Tzedakah represents not what your heart moves you to do or share, but that which is expected of you. Your obligation to others.

What a wonderful concept to adopt – regardless of your religion.  A concept that can help you and your family broaden your celebration beyond bountiful tables, wish lists and presents.  Here are four ideas for incorporating Tzedakah into your family’s holiday; and ideas you may wish to continue throughout the entire year.

1. Tzedakah Box. Dating back thousands of years, the tzedakah box was originally used to collect donations for repair of the Temple. Today, its presence represents an established Jewish household and it’s used to collect coins for a good cause. Purchase your family tzedakah box or have your children make one (great example here). Contribute to your box as a family and select a seasonal (or monthly) recipient together.

2. Tzedakah Night. In lieu of gifts one night of Hanukkah …

• As a family, purchase items on a local nonprofit’s wish list (examples St. Lawrence Place, Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, Palmetto Place Children’s Shelter, Pawmetto Lifeline, Pets, Inc., and Transitions) and deliver them to the organization together.
• Discuss the monetary value of the gifts that would have been distributed in your family and write and deliver a check together to an organization that has meaning to your family.
• Sacrifice a gift.
• Clean-up of your playroom and closets. Donate gently used items such as coats, toys or go through your pantry and deliver non-perishable items to your local food bank.

3. Day of Service. Select a day during Hanukkah and volunteer as a family. There are many opportunities here in the Midlands. Here are some ideas.

4. Document and reflect. Create a scrapbook or hang pictures in a special place in your house that celebrate and document your families charitable events and achievements. This will keep the memories fresh and help children understand that they should remember and be proud of the good they have done.

Resources and Suggested Reading:

• Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah: The essential Scoop on Raising Modern Jewish Kids, by Sharon Duke Estroff
• Teaching Tzedakah to Children: Using Your Common Cents, by Sara Shapiro-Plevan
• Unwrapping the Spirit of Hanukkah: Giving to Charity, USAToday

 

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Central Carolina Community Foundation!

 

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