+ #Giving Tuesday

12/3/13

Today is #Giving Tuesday – a philanthropic alternative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s also the 7th day of Hanukkah and together, it provides a new way of thinking about tonight’s candle lighting. Instead of receiving giving gifts tonight, give a gift and have a conversation about how your family approaches philanthropy, charity, and tzedakah (Hebrew for righteous).

In Judaism, I believe there are two “types” of money and it’s based on the notion of tithing, the biblical idea of giving 10% to charity. One type of money pays for your life. The other “type” of money supports the less fortunate and supports the common good like arts, culture, health, and education. I’d encourage your family to think in the 90/10 framework, it’s a Jewish way of being.

Giving to others teaches one to be grateful for what they have and it’s an important lesson after a week of receiving gifts and after a week of sales promotions. Most parents I know, including me and Julia, believe their kids have too much and are too spoiled. Tonight’s an opportunity to soften that. One suggestion would be to light the candles, then go online to your favorite charity, school, or non-profit organization and make a donation in honor of your family.  Also, pick a new or almost new toy tonight and plan to bring it Friday to the Hanukkah Concert for the kids in Operation Gratitude.

And if you know of a good practice around the teaching of philanthropy and tzedakah in the home, please share it with me or post it on our Facebook page so we can all learn from each other.

Best #Giving Tuesday wishes,

Darren