Don’t Donate to “Charlatans and Extremists,” Kristof Warns

By Debra Nussbaum Cohen November 22, 2010

Solicitations from Jewish non-profit organizations may peak during the High Holy Days, but mailboxes at American homes are now filling up with mail from every manner of charitable organization. Those groups are trying to tap into the “season of giving” spirit and nudge people to send in their tax-deductible donations before the end of the calendar year.

New York Times Op-Ed columnist Nicholas Kristol is warning, however, against giving money to “charlatans and extremists.”

Among those he includes in that disreputable category, he says are Feed the Children, a Christian group described by the American Institute of Philanthropy as “the most outrageous charity in America” for its fiscal mismanagement and the 55 percent of each dollar raised that it spends on fundraising expenses.

The Jewish group named in the category of scoundrels? The Hebron Fund,”, which is “notorious for extremism and violence against Palestinians,” Kristof writes. He also advises Muslim donors against contributing to Hamas-controlled non-profit groups.

Instead, for those interested in Jewish giving, Kristof suggests donating to the American Jewish World Service or [Rabbis for Human Rights.][4]

Debra Nussbaum Cohen is an award-winning journalist and the author of Celebrating Your New Jewish Daughter: Creating Jewish Ways to Welcome Baby Girls into the Covenant. Follow her on Instagram @debranc or email her at [email protected].

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