Jewish Values: Helping the Orphan

Program Officers

Shayna's Presentation

Shayna's Presentation

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The Jewish Teen Foundation (JTF) uses Jewish values to fuel the strategic grantmaking process. Yet, if one were to Google a list of Jewish values, he or she would be given categories upon categories of Jewish ideals such as Chesed, kindness, or Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh b’zeh, community responsibility. As the JTF, what role do Jewish values play, and more importantly, which Jewish value must we use to fulfill our desire to incorporate the idea of Tzedakah with the conventional “Strategic Philanthropy?”

A good place to start is at the base of the 2015-2016 JTF’s mission statement to “invest in organizations that secure the essential needs of at-risk youth.” At-risk youth come in many forms, and the JTF will focus mainly on at-risk youth in the foster care system, or in other words, orphans. The topic of orphans is covered in the Torah a few times, and if we look at one of the phrasings, Kol Almanah V’Yatum Lo Taanun, “You are all prohibited from hurting a widow or orphan,” we learn that the Torah protects the rights of orphans. The Torah often groups an orphan and widow together due to their commonality: vulnerability. This commandment is a reflection of the compassion expected of Jews. It is prohibited to treat orphans badly in daily life or business, and we have the obligation of initially judging them favorably. Through these actions, the commandments train our instinct to automatically do good by helping those who don’t wield the same power we may have.

However, as a Jewish value that guides us in our everyday life and philanthropic endeavors, the topic must extend broader. In essence, the roots of the commandments are not individual orphans or widows. The commandment reflects those who have less power than the common population and have no one to defend them or claim their rights. Since we have the power, money, and ability to help others who are less fortunate, we must invest what we have into doing so.

How do we implement these ideas into the aspirations of the JTF? Theoretically, it is a nice idea to judge everyone favorably, but difficult in practice. While it is obvious that one should not cheat anyone in business or life, how are we able to impact the nasty world that lies in wait for the vulnerable in actuality? This is where strategic philanthropy comes in – the Jewish Teen Foundation’s forte. The combination of perpetuating the beneficial treatment of orphans and asking the right questions to secure financial stability allows for the fulfillment of this commandment. The JTF will explore different angles to approach at-risk youth this coming year such as education or housing. By ensuring the basic needs of at-risk youth, the Jewish Teen Foundation will allow for the integration of well-equipped orphans into a working society.

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