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Category: Tzedakah

Countdown to #Thanksgivakkah: Putting the ‘Giving’ into Thanksgivakkah

Last weekend, at our Spiritual Journey Group at Congregation B’nai Shalom, someone reflected on the need to impart the kind of values that are important to use to our kids at this time of year. If we say or do nothing, they are likely to simply pick up and absorb the dominant narratives that they hear around them. And how often, after the holiday season, does the conversation among kids turn to the question of ‘what did you get?’.  One of the values that we want to impart might better be reflected in a question that I’d love to hear our children asking: ‘What did you give?’

This year, the Jewish Teen Funders Network has come up with a wonderful list of ideas to provide us all, and especially our children, with the opportunity to both give and nurture gratitude for eight nights.  What better way to blend the spirit of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah?

Extending a helping hand to Haiti

Image from National Geographic

Our hearts and prayers go out to all who have lost loved ones and are suffering in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.  Word has quickly spread on a variety of charities that are collecting funds that will be directed at aid and follow-up efforts that will be needed in coming weeks and months.
There are many ways to direct financial aid to help in the aftermath of this natural disaster.  The URJ (Union for Reform Judaism) has set up a fund, and you can donate here.
American Jewish World Service (AJWS) also has a fund, and you can go direct to their donation page here.

If you are looking for other Jewish organizations who are directing funds to help, the AJC and B’nai Brith are both directing funds to IsraAID, an Israeli non-governmental relief agency that brings humanitarian medical assistance to disaster areas.  You can send support via these groups by clicking on the organizational names above.