Jewish Life and Culture

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Giving for Jewish life and culture has a central place in the history of the U.S. philanthropic sector and remains an extraordinarily strong and dynamic focus area for a significant segment of the donor population. Nonetheless, many in the field are concerned that younger generations may have different philanthropic priorities, putting the future of funding for nonprofits focused on Jewish communities and issues in question. One possible indicator of this trend is an observed decrease in funding for Jewish arts and culture organizations in recent years. 

Contemporary concerns aside, a deep-rooted Jewish philanthropic tradition combined with the strong network of community funding institutions means there are ample opportunities for funders to give for a wide range of causes in this area. Charitable giving is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, and is understood as a moral obligation (tzedakah). Jewish philanthropy is informed by the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world) and ma’aser (tithing). Reflecting on these traditions and what they mean to you can be a good starting point as you clarify your philanthropic practices and priorities. Funding areas include providing a social safety net for community members in need, Jewish education, supporting religious institutions, Jewish arts and culture, and fighting antisemitism. 

Strategies for Impact

Nonprofits in this area are engaged in a range of efforts relating to Jewish life and culture. All of this work is important and could benefit from greater donor support. Below, we discuss several areas where donors might focus their funding and spotlight several organizations in each that represent the kind of nonprofits that donors might consider supporting.   

  • Give as part of a community. Jewish federations receive contributions of all sizes from donors across the community and then distribute those resources where they are needed, whether that is to support elders or low-income community members, education, or social services, often beyond Jewish populations. The federation model of gathering gifts from many to give to those in need inspired other American charitable movements and remains an important part of Jewish giving. Giving to the local federation is seen by many as the heart of classic tzedakah. In addition to your other giving, you might consider a regular gift to your local federation’s annual campaign as a core part of a philanthropic portfolio.  

  • Preserve and grow Jewish identity. There are nonprofits across the country focused on preserving a sense of Jewish identity among younger generations and nurturing Jewish culture and community through education, arts and culture, and raising awareness of Jewish history. Nonprofits to know include Hillel and Moishe House (focused on the younger generation), the Jewish Museum, and your local Jewish day school and synagogue.   

  • Fight antisemitism. With antisemitic incidents and rhetoric increasing, there is a persistent and pressing need to support organizations fighting hate. The ADL is a leading organization fighting antisemitism and all forms of bias. The Museum of Tolerance and USC Shoah Foundation fight antisemitism in part by raising awareness of its history and devastating harms. 

  • Fund Jewish arts and culture. While considerable philanthropic resources flow to large national organizations, schools and religious institutions, there has been a precipitous decline in funding for Jewish arts and culture nonprofits in recent years. If arts and culture is an area that sings to you, consider contributing to nonprofits such as Asylum Arts, Jewish Book Council, Reboot, The Braid or The Workshop.  

Insights and Advice

In considering which impact strategies to support, donors should take into account their personal interests and outlook to find the best fit. Keep an eye out for emerging opportunities to give with maximum impact. Here, we offer a few insights and suggestions:

  • Don’t go it alone. Intermediaries can do a huge amount of the leg work of identifying opportunities in the field, and getting involved with one of these groups is a great way for donors to save time and give more effectively. If you haven’t already, start by establishing a relationship with your local Jewish federation or Jewish community foundation. 

  • Center the values of diversity, equity, justice and inclusion in your giving. There are many opportunities to center DEI and advance social justice through your giving, including practicing trust-based philanthropy and giving to groups such as the Jews of Color Initiative, Queer Mikveh Project, the Black Jewish Liberation Collective, and the Safety Respect Equity Network, which is working to create Jewish workplaces and communal spaces that are free of sexism, sexual harassment and gender discrimination. Repair the World is a nonprofit mobilizing Jews to take action and commit to service for a just world in the spirit of tikkun olam. The Collective, established by the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York, invests in social entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders, and is now the primary focus of JWFNY’s work. 

  • Check for values alignment. While Jewish nonprofits may hold a shared connection to the traditions of tzedakah or tikkun olam, they are also quite diverse, and this includes a wide range of, and sometimes a distinct divergence from, worldviews and theories of change. Some Jewish nonprofits are conservative, others progressive, and others committed to a big-tent approach that uplifts shared values over political differences. You’ll want to get to know the nonprofits you’re considering supporting in order to ensure alignment between their values and yours. 

For Donors Getting Started

Donors who are new to this space should take the time to learn about the landscape. A good place to start is by reading IP’s State of American Philanthropy brief on Giving for Jewish Causes. Some of the funding intermediaries mentioned above also offer reports and articles to help donors understand the giving landscape. Your local Jewish federation or Jewish community foundation will be helpful resources. And you might connect with the Jewish Funders Network, which works with individual and institutional funders to maximize the impact of their giving. 

To find more local and national nonprofits working in this area that are well-respected, Charity Navigator is a reputable place to search for worthy organizations around the country.

But the best way to get started giving for Jewish life and culture is to make some initial gifts, learn from the groups you’re supporting, and connect early with a funding intermediary that can help you learn more about this giving area and increase your giving in a thoughtful way.

Have suggestions for improving this brief? Please email us at editor@insidephilanthropy.com.