My husband converted to Judaism (Conservative). He had a daughter from a previous marriage who was raised Christian (before my husband converted). His daughter just had twins, and we want the babies to eventually know that their grandfather, his wife and their children are Jewish. We were wondering if it would be ok to send the twins tzedakah boxes. We feel these will not only let them know they have Jewish relatives but also teach them the importance of charity. Would this be ok?
Congratulations on the new addition to your extended and blended family! I think it is a worthy goal to want to sensitize the extended family to the Jewish relatives in their midst, and charity is a valuable Jewish idea to make them aware of. I don't think there's any problem with doing that by sending them tzedakah boxes.
On the other hand, I wonder whether that's the best or most effective way of doing it. While they will soon know how to put coins in the boxes, and how to empty the boxes when full, is tzedakah only about collecting coins? I would encourage you to think about ways, within your means, to include the twins in larger tzedakah projects as well-- helping out at a soup kitchen, building homes for the poor, taking in foster children. Let them see not only the box, not only the money, but the broader spectrum of what Jews understand to be charity. Best of luck!
What better way to welcome two little ones to the world? You are not only letting them know that they will be an important part of your extended family, but you are bringing them in to the values that you treasure. What better way to tell them that you believe they will also cherish the universal values that we share across so many faiths, than by giving them Tzedakah boxes that will allow them to make giving to others a regular part of their lives? Hopefully, these Tzedakah boxes will only be the beginning of a lifetime of sharing all of your values, beliefs and love with each other.
My husband converted to Judaism (Conservative). He had a daughter from a previous marriage who was raised Christian (before my husband converted). His daughter just had twins, and we want the babies to eventually know that their grandfather, his wife, and their children are Jewish. We were wondering if it would be ok to send the twins tzedakah boxes. We feel these will not only let them know they have Jewish relatives but also teach them the importance of charity. Would this be ok?
It sounds like a lovely gesture to me.Pretty much all religious traditions teach the value of charity and this can be one of the many things you and your husband can share with his daughter and grandchildren.As they grow, you will have many more opportunities to share traditions, to celebrate each other’s holidays together, to celebrate life-cycle events, and to teach and learn about each other’s faiths.Being Jewish is part of who you and your husband are, and there is no reason not to share this part of your lives with your grandchildren.
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