Jewish Communal Fund

Family Philanthropy:

Tzedakah Tools and Tips for Parents

The Parents’ RoleThe Parents’ Role

• MODEL

• SHARE

• REFLECT

• LISTEN

• RESPECT

• SUPPORT

• STRUCTURE

• REINFORCE

Actions speak louder than words

so model the engagement you would like to see – Let your kids see what you do for charities, show

them the satisfaction you derive from your philanthropy.

Connect with Tradition

During Shabbat or

dinner conversations,

share family memories

and history of earlier

generations and their

chesed and charitable work.

Family traditions of tzedakah

Share and ReflectShare and ReflectDiscuss your motivation for supporting your charities.

Talk about why you give!

Independence TraditionMaot Chitim

“All Israel is responsible one for another”

Chesed Equality Justice

Find the teachable moments

and uncover the values behind your giving.

Connecting values with actions helps

kids understand the significance of your philanthropy.

Listen to your children

and learn about their

interests and concerns.

Nurture these interests

even if they are

different than yours.

Learn from your teenLearn from your teenExplain how you choose your charities.

Ask your teen how they make funding decisions.

What are their priorities?

Let them educate you.

Respect Their Ideas• Don’t dismiss your

child’s idea even if you don’t see the value.

• Look for the shared values behind their choices and yours.

• Praise their interests and compassion.

Support Your Teen’s EffortSupport Your Teen’s EffortShow interest and ask

questions.

Set aside a portion of your philanthropic dollars to support your child’s charities.

Offer matching gifts

Acknowledge Accomplishments

Making a contribution

in your child’s honor

to their favorite charity

is a great way to recognize:

Bar & Bat Mitzvahs

Awards

Graduations

and other achievements

Interweave Tzedakah into daily life

Holidays are filled

with giving traditions

and opportunities, so

incorporate tzedakah

into your celebration.

Make a gift in honor of your children.

Celebrate Jewish holidays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day andbirthdays by asking your child to make a donation in your honor.

Use a formal structure

Form a Family Tzedakah CircleForm a Family Tzedakah Circle

Everyone is responsible for researching an issue or a charity.

Everyone has a voice and gets to vote on where to make the contributions.

Set Goals

• Discuss a giving goal that can help focus your family on tzedakah.

• Ask your teen to help the family decide how much to give each year.

• Create a timetable

for when donations will be given.

• Include an action plan detailing the steps necessary to reach the goal, and list who is responsible.

What’s Next: Reinforce the Experience

Help teens find engagement opportunities that can utilize their new skills and support their interest in philanthropy.

Seek service opportunities for teens as well as families.

Establish an independent charitable fund for your teen.