Now the new philanthropies seem to stress a more universalist orientation, such as relief assistance to the poor living in both the United States and the Third World, regardless of religion or ethnic background. Nevertheless, many supporters of these new groups see their organizations’ missions as arising out of a particularly Jewish mandate, albeit universalist rather than particularist.
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What is the mandate of these new organizations that Silverman describes? How are they related to a Jewish identity?
2. How do you express your Jewish identity in the context of charity work? Why?
Time Period: Contemporary (The Yom Kippur War until the present-day)