Wither the Mega-Donor?
In the wake of Bernard Madoff’s collapse, Forward alumna Lucette Lagnado looks to the decline of the Jewish mega-donor — and the return of a more humble form of philanthropy, replete with a higher volume of “little checks” and pushkes:
“For the past several years, Jewish nonprofits had been relying on “fewer — but larger — gifts,” according to Jack Wertheimer, a professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. United Jewish Communities, which represents 157 Jewish Federations across North America, has seen a steep decline in its ranks of donors in the past 20 years — even as the total funds raised have continued to grow.
… Thanks to Mr. Madoff, Jewish charity may have to return to its roots, becoming once again a widespread communal effort, instead of being concentrated in a few powerful hands.
But would that really be so bad? I don’t have a great solution to the Madoff problem or to the damage that it has wrought. I have a more limited suggestion: I would like to see the comeback of the pushke — the little collection box that was once in every Jewish home. To be sure, I don’t want Jewish charities to suffer; it is simply that in our post-Madoff universe I find myself longing for the kind of more humble, more individual tzedakah, or personal charity, that took place before the rise of the uber-Jewish foundations and zillionaire philanthropists.”
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO