The mission of our Giving Circle is to build a community of emerging philanthropists that support organizations, programs, and initiatives that promote local Jewish life and values. We are guided by the following values:
You Shall Teach Your Children-V’Shinantam L’Vanecha
Parents must teach their children the Torah, commandments, and teachings of Judaism.
And you shall love Adonai your G-d with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be upon your heart, and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and speak of them in your house, and on your way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
From Generation to Generation-L’Dor V’Dor
To pass Jewish traditions from one generation to the next.
…our parents give us their song of life. We receive it from them and work on it, and will had it down to those who follow us to make of it a new and better thing, to make it understood by their own generation. Let us be careful to take the song reverently,
not to snatched ungratefully, lest we break the hearts of those who conceive it.
(Lily Montagu)
All Jewish People Are Responsible For One Another-Klal Yisrael
Jews have communal responsibility for each other.
We owe a responsibility not only to those who are in Israel but also to those generations that are no more, to those millions who have died within our lifetime, to Jews all over the world, and to generations of Jews to come. We hate war. We do not rejoice in victories. We rejoice when a new kind of cotton is grown, and when strawberries bloom in Israel. (Golda Meir)
You shall Strengthen-V’hechezekta Bo
Support those who need help in becoming self-sufficient
The highest level of tzedakah is the one who supports the hand of one who is falling with a gift or loan or creates a partnership with him or creates work for him in order to strengthen his hand before he becomes dependent on asking [or assistance]. Concerning this, it says, ‘And you shall strengthen him be he a stranger and or a resident-settler that he should love among you’ (Leviticus 25:35) -that is, support him before he falls and becomes needy. (Maimonides, Law of gifts to the Poor 10:7)
The Giving Circle is a group of 31 young adults who have combined their resources to address the philanthropic needs of our local Silicon Valley Jewish Community. The Circle is a special initiative of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley that enables the group to direct their giving in purposeful and strategic ways. Members represent a cross-section of our local Silicon Valley Jewish community.
