Present Tense

What Good Are You: A Guide for the Perplexed Establishment

Recent years have seen an explosion of small, independent Jewish organizations—more than 300 in operation as of January 2009, according to a survey by Jumpstart, reaching upwards of 400,000 people, a significant number of which are young adults. This growth makes for a compelling argument that the next generation is turning away from the ‘establishment’ and towards new Jewish outlets they find compelling.

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Time Over Money: Volunteering as Philanthropy

The Elders of Zion had it right—money and Jews go hand in hand. Philanthropy runs through the Jewish world like veins run though our bodies.

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Rules of Engagement: Giving to Israel Despite Reservations

For many young Jews, the subject of philanthropy for the sake of Israel does not occupy much of their time. Whether it's because the issue is too political or too overwhelming, the topic often gets pushed aside in favor of other forms of philanthropy. But for some young Jewish philanthropists, Israel is an area that truly speaks to them. PT sat down with young philanthropists to discuss why giving to Israel can be an important and relevant issue in our day-to-day lives.

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A Million Points of Light: The Growing Potential of Online Giving

Never has your 18 dollars been worth so much. 

The way donors and nonprofit organizations relate to each other has changed drastically over the last few years, putting more power into the hands of every individual. Last year’s economic crises have brought these changes into sharp relief, as fewer donors have funds to spare and many organizations struggle to survive.

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Art for Life: Give Me Art, or Give Me Death

Omanoot o’namoot: art or we die. This play on words, found on an Israeli bumper sticker, demands that we reflect on how crucial art is to our existence. Art is one of the most accurate records of human history, a powerful form of cultural diplomacy, and a valuable educational tool. The arts offer a universal language that can connect people worldwide regardless of religious belief, political preference, or economic status. Anyone can benefit from both creating and experiencing art. Yet somehow it is funding for the arts that is often the first to be cut in the face of financial difficulty.

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