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Spark: The ideal contribution a Jew can make to Israel is a “free will offering” that reflects his or her personal strengths, talents, and passions.
Key Text, Exodus 25:1-9 and Kli Yakar
Exodus 25:1-9
א וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה, אֶל-מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר.
ב דַּבֵּר אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְיִקְחוּ-לִי תְּרוּמָה: מֵאֵת כָּל-אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִדְּבֶנּוּ לִבּוֹ, תִּקְחוּ אֶת-תְּרוּמָתִי.
1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
2 ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they take for Me an offering; of every man whose heart makes him willing you shall take My offering.
The 17th century commentator, Kli Yakar (Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz), writing from Prague asks the following question:
Why does it say “that they take for me an offering? It should say: they give me an offering!” The Kli Yakar answers that when we give from our hearts, in ways that are meaningful to us, we are really receiving.
Framing
In order to forge a lasting and deep connection to the State of Israel, individuals must give in ways that are personally meaningful to them. There are many ways to connect beyond just writing a check. There are opportunities to volunteer in areas of specialty and passion, from frisbee to arts to environmental bike rides. By giving to Israel, in a way that is fitting for you, you will ultimately receive more.
Modern Day Connection
Hazon Bike Ride – Hazon is getting people on bikes, getting people to think differently about transportation and cycling, nationally and in Israel. Its outdoor programs raise money for cutting-edge Jewish environmental projects in the United States and Israel. They also support Hazon’s community building projects and year-round programming.
Ultimate Peace – A group the channeled their passion for Ultimate Frisbee to build bridges of friendship, understanding and fun for youth from different social and cultural backgrounds across Israel and the West Bank.
Yad Lakashish – At Yad LaKashish: Lifeline for the Old, the elderly are viewed as human beings with a potential for artistic creativity that is just waiting to be revealed. Our solution is an artistic community that encourages the elderly in their process of self-discovery and engages them in creative activity in order to develop their new found skills. In line with the principle of the medieval Jewish philosopher Moses Maimonides that the highest level of charity is to help people help themselves, the elderly artisans receive specific financial benefits in return for their work.
Chag Haatzmaut 