Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Purpose:
Duration:
Two to Three - Fifty Minute Class Periods
Objectives:
The learner will:
- identify and understand Eight Levels of Charity.
- understand the rationale for each of the Eight Levels of Charity and the hierarchical order of them.
- identify and learn about community, national, and/or worldwide organizations that help people find jobs and careers.
- participate in an activity that he/she will identify as achieving one of the Eight Levels Charity.
Service Experience:
Learners will be put into groups and each group will choose one of several charitable organizations. They will write letters, volunteer time, donate goods or money, or help to promote awareness of that organization.
Materials:
- Attachment One: Maimonides Eight Levels of Charity; one for each learner
- Attachment Two:Teacher’s Guide
- Eight index cards with each level written on a separate card
- Package of lined paper
- Eight copies of a listing of local charitable organizations
- Attachment Three: Poster Board Ladder Sections, cut into ladder sections
- Colored markers, pens, and/or pencils
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Write the proverbial saying “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime” on the display board. Give the learners some time to read and reflect on this quote. Ask them to try and explain what the message of this quote is. After several minutes of discussion, ask them if they subscribe to this belief. By the end of the class discussion, it should be known to them that this is a prominent theme in Judaism and Jewish literature.
- Distribute Attachment One: Maimoides' Eight Levels of Charity
- Have the class read each level aloud.
- Lead a class discussion about each level and why there is a hierarchy in giving charity. Questions to ask should include:
- Is Maimonides arguing that the lower levels are “bad”? Is he arguing that if one gives unwillingly then it is not worth giving at all?
Teacher Note: While it is desirable to strive to give the highest level of charity, giving charity in general, whether unwillingly or without knowing the person to whom you are giving, is admirable and considered a Mitzvah according to Rambam.- Why is teaching a trade/job skill the highest Level of Charity?
- How would you categorize giving money to homeless people on the streets?
Teacher Note: It depends on if the homeless person asked first, or if you gave first, if you smiled when giving, or if you reluctantly put your hand in your pockets and threw down change. See Attachment Two:Teacher’s Guide for additional discussion topics.- Arrange the class into eight groups and assign one of the Eight Levels of Charity to each group.
- Distribute a “ladder section” of the poster board to each group (See Attachment Three), along with one of the index cards.
- Have each group draw or create a picture, collage or scene depicting their assigned Level of Charity.
- Reconstruct the poster board “ladder” as a whole and display the artwork in the school or in the classroom.
- Distribute a copy of the listing of the charitable organizations in the local area to the each group. Have each group select one of the charitable organizations that they will contact.
Teacher Note: Prior to the start of this class obtain a listing of Charitable Organizations in your community. This listing could be obtained by contacting your local Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, IRS Web site www.irs.gov telephone book.- Distribute paper and pens and have each group brainstorm ways in which they can help out the organization they selected. Have each group decide on one specific method (give money, volunteer time, spread awareness, donate food, etc.) they will use to help this organization.
- Have each group write their specific method idea on the sheet of paper and identify which of the Eight Levels of Charity fits with their specific method of helping.
- Each group will present to the class their identified charitable organization, their specific method of helping that organization, and identify which of the Eight Levels of Charity fits with their specific method of helping.
- The class will vote on the best idea (or the teacher will choose based on convenience) and the class will implement that idea of charity (whether it is designating a class period to volunteer, donate canned goods, or write encouraging letters, etc).
Assessment:
The learners will be assessed based on their participation in class discussions, their art project, and their presentation--which includes their identification of their selected charitable organization, their identified specific method of helping that organization, and their correct identification to which of the Eight Levels of Charity fits with their specific method of helping.
School/Home Connection:
Invite parents and family members to the come and observe or participate in the implementation event of the class’ selected idea of charity.
Cross-Curriculum Extensions:
Invite a member of one of the charities (either the one the class chose or a different one) to speak to the school on the importance of charitable organizations and share ways someone could be of help to their particular charitable organization.
Bibliographical References:
- Eight Degrees of Charity:
Rambam, Hilchot Matanot L'Ani'im 10:1,7-14:
http://www.panix.com/~jjbaker/rmbmzdkh.html - Charitable Organizations
http://www.irs.gov/
Lesson Developed By:
Eytan J ApterAreyvut
http://www.areyvut.org
Bergenfield, NJ 07621
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Maimonides Eight Levels of Charity
The greatest level, above which there is no other, is to strengthen the name of another Jew by giving him a present or loan, or making a partnership with him, or finding him a job in order to strengthen his hand until he needs no longer beg from people.
Below this is the one who gives tzedaka to the poor, but does not know to whom he gives, nor does the recipient know his benefactor. For this is performing a mitzvah for the sake of Heaven.
Below this is one who knows to whom he gives, but the recipient does not know his benefactor. The greatest sages used to walk about in secret and put coins into the doors of the poor.
Below this is one who gives to the poor person before being asked.
Below this is one who gives to the poor person after being asked.
Below this is one who gives to the poor person gladly and with a smile.
Below this is one who gives to the poor person unwillingly.
http://www.panix.com/~jjbaker/rmbmzdkh.html
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Teacher's Guide
http://www.panix.com/~jjbaker/rmbmzdkh.html
1. We are required to take more care about the mitzva ["command"] of tzedaka [Tzedaka], unlike "charity" (from Gk. karitas, "love"), is the Jewish legal requirement to do rightly with your fellow person -- that is, to support him when he is in need.(Deut. 15:7-8)] than for any other positive mitzva. For the mitzva of tzedaka is the sign of the righteous descendents of Abraham our father, as "[God] has made known to him [Abraham], so that he shall command his sons to do tzedaka." {Genesis XVIII:19} The throne of Israel is not established, nor does true faith stand except through tzedaka), for "through tzedaka will I [God] be established." {Isaiah LIV:14} And Israel will not be redeemed except through tzedaka, for "Zion will be ransomed through judgment and returned through tzedaka." {Isaiah I:27}
7. There are eight levels of tzedaka, each greater than the next. The greatest level, above which there is no other, is to strengthen the name of another Jew by giving him a present or loan, or making a partnership with him, or finding him a job in order to strengthen his hand until he needs no longer [beg from] people. For it is said, "You shall strengthen the stranger and the dweller in your midst and live with him," {Leviticus XXV:35} that is to say, strengthen him until he needs no longer fall [upon the mercy of the community] or be in need.
8. Below this is the one who gives tzedaka to the poor, but does not know to whom he gives, nor does the recipient know his benefactor. For this is performing a mitzva for the sake of Heaven. This is like the Secret [Anonymous] Office in the Temple. There the righteous gave secretly, and the good poor drew sustenance anonymously. This is much like giving tzedaka through a tzedaka box. One should not put into the box unless he knows that the one responsible for the box is faithful and wise and a proper leader like Rabbi Hananya ben Teradyon.
9. Below this is one who knows to whom he gives, but the recipient does not know his benefactor. The greatest sages used to walk about in secret and put coins into the doors of the poor. It is worthy and truly good to do this if those who are responsible for collecting tzedaka are not trustworthy.
10. Below this is one who does not know to whom he gives, but the poor person does know his benefactor. The greatest sages used to pack coins into their scarves and roll them up over their backs, and the poor would come and pick [the coins out of the scarves] so that they would not be ashamed.
11. Below this is one who gives to the poor person before being asked.
12. Below this is one who gives to the poor person after being asked.
13. Below this is one who gives to the poor person gladly and with a smile.
14. Below this is one who gives to the poor person unwillingly.
Handout 3Print Handout 3
Poster Board Ladder Sections
Poster Board Ladder Sections
Unit Contents:
Overview:Giving to Others (Tzedakah) (Private-Religious) Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Maimonides' Eight Levels (Private-Religious)
- 2.
- Charity in the Bible (Private-Religious)
- 3.
- 10% to the Needy (Private-Religious)
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