Review: Jewish Giving: Philanthropy and the Shaping of American Jewish Life
Jack Wertheimer’s Jewish Giving examines how philanthropy serves as a prism for understanding American Jewish communal life, who controls resources, how they are distributed, and what this means for the community’s future.
Drawing on 320 interviews, Wertheimer presents a comprehensive yet intimate examination of American Jewish philanthropy. He provides a clear account of how giving shapes the community.
The book starts with history, tracing Jewish giving from communal charity to today’s personalized philanthropy. Giving has shifted from traditional institutions like burial societies and welfare aid to modern causes such as Jewish day schools, cultural and artistic initiatives, activism, and Israel-related programs. By the beginning of the 20th century, the once insular Jewish community in the U.S. shifted its priorities in support of overseas Jewish needs.
One of Wertheimer’s most important arguments is about the definition of “Jewish” giving. He asks: Is giving considered Jewish because it supports Jewish institutions, because the donor is Jewish, or because it aligns with Jewish values? By exploring these questions, Wertheimer highlights how debates over what makes giving ‘Jewish’ are especially pronounced among younger donors, whose identities often reach beyond traditional affiliations.
He emphasizes a central argument: today, a small group of wealthy donors controls a significant portion of Jewish philanthropy. This concentration has led to both new initiatives and greater innovation, but also centralizes decision-making power, shifting it away from the broader community. Wertheimer explains that this raises concerns around transparency, unity, and equal representation in setting priorities.
Wertheimer does not idealize the past, but notes what may be lost: shared priorities, collective responsibility, and mass giving in support of key institutions, such as schools, camps, JCCs, and cultural institutions. He urges donors to strike a balance between innovation and continuity, and between strategic giving and sustaining philanthropy.
The book speaks not only to philanthropists but to anyone concerned with the future of American Jewish communal life and how philanthropy shapes it.
Wertheimer warns that if philanthropy becomes too individualized and institutions rely heavily on a few major donors, the community’s collective needs may be overlooked. He argues that this threatens to marginalize broader voices and weaken communal cohesion.
Wertheimer reminds us that Jewish giving is not just generosity; it’s a communal decision about who we are and what we wish to become.
This book challenges us to think not just about where we give, but about how our philanthropy contributes to the Jewish future. If you care about the Jewish future, at any giving level, I recommend this book. Then ask: What legacy will my giving leave?