Jewish philanthropy has long been synonymous with extraordinary acts of generosity. Names etched on the walls of our institutions often belong to those whose contributions reached into the millions, reshaping our communities in visible, lasting ways. Their gifts are indispensable, and our gratitude for them is profound. Yet, as we look to the future of Jewish life, it is vital to recognize a truth that is too often overlooked: the survival of the Jewish people does not rest solely in the hands of billionaires. It depends on the everyday giver—the so-called “silent majority” whose smaller acts of generosity, when taken together, form the very backbone of Jewish continuity.

Jewish tradition teaches that “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh,” all of Israel is responsible for one another. Maimonides’ ladder of tzedakah reminds us that no gift is too small; what matters is the intention and the impact. A coin dropped into the tzedakah box by a child carries the same sacred weight as a large endowment, because both are rooted in responsibility to sustain our people.

Our ancestors knew this truth. When the Mishkan was built in the desert, the Torah records that gold, silver, and textiles poured in from men and women alike. Those who gave much and those who gave little built a sanctuary together. That spirit of collective responsibility is the very essence of Jewish resilience.

Yet in our modern culture of........

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