The power of giving: Why Jewish philanthropy matters more than ever

In this moment, we must rely on one another because there is no one else. If we don’t support and protect our community, no one will.

In Jewish tradition, giving is not just an act of generosity — it is a sacred responsibility. We call it tzedakah, rooted in the Hebrew word for justice. It is not charity in the casual sense but a moral and communal obligation to build a stronger, safer and more compassionate world for the Jewish people and for all.

In today’s world, that obligation has never felt more urgent. The ongoing Rising Lion operation serves as a stark reminder of the stakes.

Across the country and here in Pittsburgh, antisemitism is surging — not just in words but in actions that threaten our safety, challenge our unity and test our resolve. Jewish institutions are investing in security infrastructure and working with law enforcement, but none of this is possible without philanthropic support. Private giving fuels the proactive training, technology and coordination required to keep our community safe, from guards and cameras to emergency planning and information sharing.

At the same time, the Jewish community faces growing disconnection. In an increasingly digital and individualistic world, creating vibrant in-person Jewish experiences takes intention and resources. Whether it’s a Shabbat dinner that brings young adults together, a summer camp that nurtures Jewish youth, our pro-Israel students on campus or a Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration that connects us to Israel and each other — these moments of joy, learning and connection don’t happen on their own. They happen because someone decided to give.

Philanthropy has always been the cornerstone of Jewish resilience. In every generation, Jews have stepped up for one another to build synagogues, support elders, help those in need, welcome immigrants, support our Jewish homeland Israel and respond to crisis. Pittsburgh’s history is no different. From the earliest days of Jewish life here, our community’s well-being has rested on the shoulders of those who gave not only because they could but because they felt they must and planted seeds for the future.

Today, our giving must match the complexity of the challenges we face. Since Oct. 7, 2023, many of us have wrestled with profound grief, fear and the alarming rise in anti-Israel sentiment, often indistinguishable from antisemitism, in public discourse, on campuses and even in our neighborhoods. Standing with Israel is not a political act; it is a deeply Jewish one. Our brothers and sisters in Israel face not only rockets and terror but emotional trauma and societal strain. When we give to organizations providing trauma care, aid to displaced families or support for rebuilding shattered lives, we affirm a basic truth: Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh, all Jews are responsible for one another.

And today, that responsibility is more critical than ever. Jews are standing alone in ways many of us have never experienced — abandoned by institutions we once trusted, shouted down in spaces that once welcomed us. In this moment, we must rely on one another because there is no one else. If we don’t support and protect our community, no one will. Our giving is not just generous; it is essential to our survival and strength.

But Jewish giving cannot be reactive alone. It must also be visionary. It must strengthen identity, ensure educational excellence, foster leadership and create opportunities for people of all ages to find their place in Jewish life. It must support the vulnerable and invest in innovation that meets the needs of a changing Jewish world, here at home and in our beloved homeland Israel.

The beauty of Jewish giving is that it scales — from a child putting coins in a pushke to a family endowing a program for generations. Every act of generosity makes a difference. Every gift becomes part of something larger.

Here in Pittsburgh, we are blessed with a generous community — one that shows up time and again when it matters most. We see it when donors support Holocaust education so our children never forget. We see it in scholarships that open doors to camp, Israel travel or Jewish learning. We see it in the work of countless organizations — large and small — that make Pittsburgh a model for Jewish life nationally.

This Giving section of the Chronicle is a reminder that the needs are real and they are now. If you already give, thank you. If you’re considering it, know this: Your gift matters. It is not just a transaction, it is a declaration of values, a statement of solidarity and a building block of the Jewish future.

Wherever you direct your donation, what matters is that you give with purpose and heart. Our community’s strength, our safety, our vitality, our connection to each other and to Israel, depends on it.

We give because others gave before us. And we give because the Jewish future depends on what we do now. PJC

Brian Eglash is the senior vice president and chief development officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.