Alleviating poverty
Although the UK is a very wealthy country compared to many others, research has shown that there are people who are malnourished, as they cannot afford enough food. There are others who are living at risk of malnutrition.
Charity
The commandment of tzedakah encourages Jews to give to charity. The laws of charity are found in the Torah and are known as Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (1135 - 1204), a leading Jewish philosopher, medical writer and codifer of Jewish law.' eight levels of charity. Judaism teaches that the greatest level of charity is helping a person before they become desperate, eg by offering a loan or a job. The lowest level of charity is when donations are given reluctantly.
The giving of charity is important to many Jews. The following is taken from the Talmud:
Just as God visits the sick, feeds the hungry and clothes the naked, so you do the same.
There are two kinds of charity:
- giving money or possessions
- giving of oneself
Some Jews believe people should Give to a charitable cause. money to someone Without providing a name or identity., which retains the dignity of all involved.
Other Jews prefer to invest in relief programmes that provide long-term solutions to An extreme lack of food that leads to large numbers of people starving to death. so that people can help themselves. This is similar to views surrounding Economic development which meets the needs of the current population without polluting the environment or depleting natural resources..
Two charities which work to help the poor in Less economically developed country (LEDC) has low levels of development, based on economic indicators, such as gross domestic product (the country's income). include Tzedek and World Jewish Relief.
Tzedek
Tzedek focuses on sustainable development, working in countries experiencing serious poverty. In India, Tzedek is involved in a project called 'Stri Shakti' where small loans and business training courses are provided to women on low incomes. This has helped women to start to generate income for their families and communities. The project also sponsors girls through high school education.
Tzedek runs an initiative called 'Schlep to School'. Schlep is a A language used by Jews in central and eastern Europe before the Holocaust. word meaning a long, hard walk, usually while carrying or dragging something. The 'Schlep to School' initiative encourages students to walk to school, rather than take public transport, cycle or get a lift in the car. By being sponsored to walk to school, Jewish students can raise funds to support education projects in Ghana, Africa.
World Jewish Relief
World Jewish Relief works to provide care in the home, food, help during the winter and medical support for the most vulnerable members of society. The charity also helps with emergency relief after natural disasters.
In line with Jewish beliefs, the charity also works to help projects which support sustainable development and long term aid.
Question
Explain how one Jewish charity aims to help those in need.
Tzedek is a Jewish charity which was founded in Britain in 1990. Their main aim is to reduce poverty, and they work towards this by working in countries that experience extreme poverty. They have helped children get an education. They have also provided small loans and business training courses to women on low incomes. This has helped women to generate income for their families and communities. Tzedek also work in countries which have experienced natural disasters to help with emergency relief.