Giving Ma’aser – Choosing Where to Donate
Question
Hi,I’m a secular person with a little connection to religion. For some time now, I’ve wanted to start giving ma’aser, but I’m unsure which organization to donate to. I follow a non-profit social-economic organization that works for the general public in the Knesset and the government. Would donating to this organization, whose work for the public in Israel I believe in, count as a proper and valid ma’aser donation?
Answer
Shalom uVracha
If the organization is involved in charity or providing real benefit to the public, it is considered tzedakah.
Sometimes organizations that claim to work for the “public good” are really promoting certain lifestyle agendas based on the outlook or beliefs of those running them. Naturally, not everything like that would be considered tzedakah.