Fundraising

Exodus, chapter thirty-six, verse five is every fundraiser’s dream. That’s the verse in which Moses is told the people were bringing more gifts than were needed to complete the Sanctuary they were building in the desert. Their overflow of generosity was to their credit after the disaster of the golden calf. Sometimes, even centuries later, we see such enthusiasm to give. It was my privilege to be involved in one such story.

About a dozen years ago my grandchild needed an operation to be performed by an expert surgeon in America. The procedure wouldn’t be covered by the baby’s family health plan. Its cost was far more than the parents could ever dream of having. So they began fundraising. It was heartwarming to see the donations come flowing in. These are just a few of the sources:

-the baby’s third cousin involved his whole college fraternity.

-a former classmate of the baby’s father turned to her husband who in turn approached his yeshiva.

-a non-profit organization dedicated to helping sick children become healthy joined the cause.

-the neighbor of the baby’s grandmother had been given a check to use for a worthy cause by a visiting relative. The neighbor decided the child’s good health was an excellent cause.

They, along with friends and relatives, raised the needed funds and the wheels to do the surgery were set in motion.

Returning to chapter thirty-six it’s important to note that in verse six Moses commands the people to stop preparing donations for the Sanctuary. Commentators emphasize that his instructions were to not start preparing anything new. Whatever was begun should be completed. How disappointing it would have been for someone to be halfway through a project and told there was no need for it. That shouldn’t happen to anyone.

My grandchild and his parents were already in America when I met one of their friends.

 “I’m so glad to see you!” she exclaimed sincerely. “I want to give you some money for the baby.”

“Thank you,” I declined her offer. “They have all the funds they need.”

She was not to be put off, though. Reaching into her bag she gave me a couple of bills.

“Use this to buy the baby a toy,” she insisted.

It’s beautiful when people want to join together for an altruistic purpose. It’s my prayer that we’ll all start cooperating enough so that there will no longer be any need of fundraising for the hungry or the sick or the poor. The only fundraising we’ll have will be for the ultimate building project, that of the Third, and final, Holy Temple. May it happen speedily in our days.

My novel, Growing With My Cousin, a good winter read, is available at Jewish bookstores and on line at  http://www.feldheim.com/growing-with-my-cousin.html or

https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Cousin-Ester-Katz-Silvers/dp/194635113X/