Compiled by Haia with the help of fellow Jangloers.
* It was suggested that I post the replies I received to my original question--how to relate to heartfelt pleas for help via janglo/internet. There seems to be a general consensus- -see for yourself, below.
1. If they article 46 tax supervision it is a good sign.
2. In my experience, if a family is really in trouble, their Rav knows about it. If they are not willing to give yiu the name and number of a Rav or their Socialworker's name and number, I would be suspect. There is no reason why they should not provide references. (By the way, we have plenty of terrorist victims who need help.) But that's not why I wrote. If someone is directly asking for your help, they may rally need it, but you should be able to check it out.
3. I always give money to the organisations that I like and I don't give money to private people. I give money to one or two yeshivahs and I give money to our neighborhood fund for the poor I love Downs children and special education children so I give to these institutions. If you have some group that are especially dear to you, you can give to them I also volunteer for a crisis center so I give money to them You cannot help everyone and if you give to the big organisations they are genuine and they help many people.
4. Actually, you are correct in your suspicions....are not and cannot be checked for validity.... to tell you the truth, i have called attention several times to "criminal" elements on the Jangle that operate devious ventures, or out right illegal messages....these people have eventually been banned from the list....but the many "shisters" calling for tzedaka contributions are truly mysterious, and need to have their credentials checked out.... you are better off giving tzedaka to worthy causes that you know to be legitimate,,,,, ---- To tell you the truth, in sifting out some e messages concerning abuse of Egged bus passes, and other related scams, I actually received some interesting "hate e-mails"....this was also true of a series incident last year, concerning illegal "gun running" on the Janglo.... the Janglo "Anglo" community has it share of "criminal" elements, reflecting the same situation in that of the host countries where these people originate.
5. If its from the internet, it's a scam
6. It's possible they are legitimate. I'm very concerned about any solicitation from people I don't know. In the USA you can check charities through the Department of Corporations. In Israel, you're on your own.
7. "Over the internet?" I would not touch it. There are so many people who go to a Rav for a paper stating that the request is "kosher" and a worthy cause you could help. I am not saying that the internet is 100%, but its too wide a spetrum to work with. You could go to a soup kitchen, Chabad house, etc to give. A big thing in tzdakkah is that when someone puts out his hand and you judge his worthiness, at the same time we are also judged of our worthiness. Part of us being worthy is seeking out the right people and not to the slummers. I back as a young married man 32 years ago ran after some really bad causes in my great desire to give what I had set aside, and more. Look for someone or some group with a legit Rav's paper AND a legit reciept. 6. Thank you for asking this important question. I feel the same way. So far, I've been restricting my donations to appeals that come through established charities, which also post appeals for specific urgent situations from time to time. Please post any useful responses you receive.
8. The $64,000 question! We don't know. We can give to well known charities and not always be sure that they are using the money wisely. However, I feel that we have an obligation to make some reasonable efforts that a charity or a request is legitimate. You can do that by asking the requester for more info. Eg, is a percentage going directly to the fundraiser, is it an all-volunteer organisation (not that I object to paying salaries), is this a duplicated effort, etc. Usually you will feel none the wiser but every now and then you will get important info. At the kotel someone was collecting and he told me it's for himself to get money to go to Uman. That's not on my list of good causes so it was easy not to give him. Someone collects at the shul I go to and I was told that he is collecting for himself. I am told that instead of working he goes round shuls collecting. Here too I am now not inclined to help him. Bottom line, it's very difficult to know.
9. The truth is you cant know if it isnt a scam and there are plenty of them. If you want to help desperate people there are reliable organizations which provide food, clothing, medicine etc. It is better to give money to these organizations and not send money to people who may be trying to exploit your feelings of kindness and compassion.
10. I agree and have the same problem. Let me know if you get any advice!
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