Tzadakah
In Hebrew the word tzadakah (zadaka) means “of righteousness,” but also describes a preferred way to show charity. In Jewish law there are eight levels of charity. The lowest level is the giver who gives grudgingly; the highest level of charity is giving that allows others to help themselves.
Many nineteenth century Jewish charities focused on education as a way to help people get themselves out of poverty. By teaching people how to become successful American citizens, Jewish charities reached the highest level of Tzadakah. One of the early philanthropists, Jacob Billikopf, said to anew immigrant, “If you want to become a good American, come to night school, learn English, don’t be a greenhorn...you won't be happy until you become Americanized.” At the turn of the century, Billikopf worked through the Jewish Educational Institute to bring education to Eastern European immigrants and their children.
Several of the local Jewish charities were operated by the wives of area businessmen. An 1896 article in the Kansas City Star described many charities founded by Jewish women which served the entire community. Most of these charities were initially formed to aid only the Jewish population, but went on to serve the general community. For example, the Jewish Institute's Sewing School taught young girls to be seamstress’, and was open to all who wanted to learn. There were also training schools for young men which taught carpentry and other skills. Other charities founded by the women provided warm clothes and shoes for children, milk for kindergarten students, and a children's bank to teach thrift.
The early Jewish charities were founded to help individuals help themselves. Teaching immigrants American social customs, the English language, and a practical trade as well as providing care, nutrition, and education to the children of the poor, captured the meaning of Tzadakah.
--ALBUM vol. 9, no. 2 (spring 1996)