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In early March, many Jews will celebrate Purim, a topsy turvy, dramatic festival recalling the survival of the Jewish people under Persian rule during the 5th century BCE.
Interestingly, this is one of two holidays where we are commanded to give to charity (the other is Yom Kippur).
In my search for connection between philanthropy and Purim, I came across musings from Rabbi Joel Seltzer of Camp Ramah in the Poconos (coincidentally a short distance from my husband’s hometown of Allentown, PA),
“One answer is that Purim represents the best analogy for our complicated relationship with charity throughout the year. If we simply waited around for the perfect time to give tzedakah – for the stars to align, for the moment when we have the funds to give – perhaps we would never give tzedakah at all. Therefore, why not tie the mitzvah of giving to the day which represents not order, but chaos; not perfection, but randomness. Thus, the lesson is clear – no matter the day, no matter the circumstance, just give, just give, just give.”
The DJCF aims to bring order to the potential chaos of your family’s philanthropy. We represent a consolidated, one-stop-shop for your charitable giving and serve as your execution partner on donor advised funds, endowments, and scholarships.
A guiding tenet for us is to ensure charitable giving is convenient and accessible. That’s why we’re investing in our technology to improve the donor experience - this summer, you’ll be able to log in to a new portal to see your statements, manage your account, and direct grants online. We’ll be sharing more information in the coming weeks about what this transition means for you.
In the meantime, I hope you’ll review the latest edition of Funder’s File - a compilation of funding requests from our partner agencies. Perhaps the “stars will align” and you’ll find your next opportunity to “just give, just give, just give.”
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