<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0B5fBZ_0wEkvKcE00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0B5fBZ_0wEkvKcE00" width="1762" height="1176" ><figcaption>Ariella Goldish, 12, calls a potential donor at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 2025 Campaign for Jewish Needs annual Super Sunday Kickoff on Sept. 8 at the Federation’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building in Beachwood. | CJN Photo / Abigail Preiszig</figcaption></figure>When looking to participate in philanthropy, it’s important to choose an organization that supports a mission you are passionate about. Donating to a Jewish organization ensures most if not all of those funds will go back into the community, benefiting those within the Jewish community that may be in need of services.These donations can help organizations serving Jewish people keep their programs and services growing and developing throughout the years.The Jewish community can also be strengthened through donations from individuals, according to Rabbi Alan Joseph, executive director of Bikur Cholim in Cleveland Heights, and Traci E. Felder, chief philanthropy officer of the Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland in Beachwood.“Donating to Jewish organizations strengthens the Jewish community because it is a sign of a community’s investment to ensure the organization will be around for years to come,” Felder said. “Additionally, monetary gifts enable organizations to provide essential programs and services to those in need, fostering a sense of unity and belonging. In general, giving – or tzedakah – allows a Jewish organization to care for its members and collectively address needs or challenges.”Monetary donations to Jewish organizations allow operations, programs and initiatives being funded, Felder said. This helps whatever the organization may be work to fulfill its mission, make an impact on the community and achieve its goals.The people working inside an organization can also feel the impact of donating because its programs are supported, she explained. Employees can work with the funds to ensure the programs are running smoothly and the mission is being fulfilled.“Donating to a Jewish organization benefits people within the organization itself because it helps to provide and support the programming that is offered,” Felder said. “In addition, gifts to our organization are used to help support the work that is being done to promote Jewish identity and culture, and raise awareness regarding antisemitism.”More than providing funding, donating to an organization also shows recognition for the organization and the work that its doing, showing the organization is making an impact on people in the community, Joseph said.When donating to organizations with boards, people can also ensure they know where their money may be going – to which programs and people they’re supporting, he explained.“By giving to an organization, you know that that money is being spent wisely,” Joseph said. “It’s also transparent. When you have a board of directors, there’s transparency and you’re able to be sure that money is being used wisely.”Donations, whether they be monetary or through another form, such as time, can leave a lasting impact on Jewish organizations, and show that they have support from their communities, he explained.“The last year since Oct. 7, (2023), we’ve learned as a nation that we have a lot of enemies,” Joseph said. “But I think on the top of that, what we have is that we care for each other and no matter what we have to be there for each other. It’s imperative that Jews, we look out for one another and we are all true blood relatives and friends, and we’ll be there for each other through thick and thin.”</div></body>

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Donations to Jewish organizations intended to benefit Jewish community

When looking to participate in philanthropy, it’s important to choose an organization that supports a mission you are passionate about. Donating to a Jewish organization ensures most if not all of those funds will go back into the community, benefiting those within the Jewish community that may be in need of services.