Charity Begins at School

As founder of a Jewish day-care center and day school for the past 18 years I have been told, "Sorry we don't have the money for day schools" or "I give money where it's needed more." It seems that the education of children is not high up on the list of priorities.

I remember a conversation I had some 10 years ago. A teacher at our school had given birth and a substitute was needed. I asked a friend of mine, a Jewish activist, if she would teach a first grade class. During our conversation I became aware that she had other commitments and would not be able to help me. Knowing that she wasn't currently working and that she had free time, I ventured forth and innocently asked her what she was doing these days. She answered my question with the following, "Rabbi, do you know that there are children in the inner cities of Los Angeles who have never seen the beach? And I'm doing something about it. I take them to the beach."

I was completely flabbergasted. I truly wasn't prepared for the outburst as I was simply making small talk, and didnt expect her to be involved with such a project. Immediately I stated, "I don't know too much about the children in the inner cities. However, I do know that there are many, many Jewish children who have never seen the inside of a synagogue!"

Of all the good deeds I've heard of, isn't helping your own of paramount importance? All children should be given the opportunity to learn their heritage. Why should Jewish children, people of the book, be lacking and ignorant of their nobility?

When speaking to a wealthy philanthropist friend about the future of Judaism in America, the following took place. I told him how imperative it is to support Jewish day schools. He exclaimed, "I give all my money to a college to support a Hebrew studies department!"

"How sad," I said. "The department of Hebrew studies receives a large amount of money while the Jewish day school receives almost nothing." How exasperating. Just imagine what would happen if there would, G‑d forbid, be no Jewish day schools. There would be no Jewish interests! Who then would support and attend a Jewish studies department? Certainly not the non-Jews!

Lately I hear that we need to focus on helping the homeless here and the Soviets immigrating to Israel, and that there simply isn't enough money for education.

I ask, why are American Jewish children becoming the second choice - the stepchild of Jewish philanthropy?

Take notice and remember this: When children are young is the time to nurture in them a true love and appreciation for our great and noble religion. These strong and committed Jews will eventually go on to give money to important charities, attend shul and Jewish-study programs.

True, the colleges need funding, as do the homeless and refugees, but the greatest thing you can do is to provide funding for day care and day schools that teach the mitzvahs of helping others. Through the education of our children we create the charitable benefactors of tomorrow.