The Big, Beautiful Opportunity: Why 2025 Is the Smartest Year to Give Jewishly
Financial wisdom and moral purpose rarely align, but 2025 is just such a year. As the US tax landscape shifts with the expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, individuals and families have a brief but powerful window to make their giving go further, and to do so in a way that strengthens Jewish life for generations to come.
A Moment of Change — and of Choice
Unless Congress acts, tax rates will rise in 2026 for nearly every income bracket. For philanthropically minded Jews, 2025 represents the final full year to take advantage of historically favorable deduction rates, estate thresholds, and donor-advised fund benefits. For example, a $10,000 donation made in 2025 might yield an additional $1,000 in tax savings compared to 2026, depending on your tax bracket. This tangible benefit creates a compelling reason to act now, ensuring that your contributions have the greatest possible impact.
But this isn’t only about taxes. It’s about legacy, and about what kind of Jewish future we want to build.
Jewish wisdom teaches that foresight is a sacred virtue. Maimonides wrote that the highest form of tzedakah is helping others before they fall into need. Planning ahead, giving intentionally, and acting before a crisis strikes are not only signs of prudence, but also acts of chesed shel emet, true kindness without expectation of return.
The Jewish Future Is Not Guaranteed — But It Is Ours to Secure
We live in uncertain times. Antisemitism is rising around the world. Assimilation rates are going up. Still, Jewish giving fuels continuity and hope. It helps schools, camps, scholarships, cultural programs, security, and connects Israel with the Diaspora.
If there has ever been a year to give with intention and strategy, it is now.
How to Make 2025 Count
- Talk to your advisor. Make a plan before the current tax benefits expire.
- Set up or add to a Donor-Advised Fund. This is one of the best ways to use today’s rates while giving over time.
- Review your estate plans and endowments. Ensure they reflect your values and aspirations for the Jewish people.
- In 2025, commit at least half of your giving to Jewish and Israel-related causes to safeguard our people, culture, and faith for the future.
- Involve your family. Let your children and grandchildren help choose where to give. Consider establishing an annual family giving meeting to discuss and decide together how to allocate your donations. This gathering can be a special time to share ideas, reflect on values, and make collective decisions. By engaging everyone in this tradition, you turn the act of giving into a cherished family ritual. A tradition of generosity starts at home. To enhance this experience and foster richer dialogue, consider tapping into diverse donor motivations, such as tradition, impact, and a sense of belonging. Encourage each family member to share what drives their philanthropic choices. Is it the desire to honor family heritage, to see tangible change in the community, or to feel connected to a greater mission? Posing such questions can help every relative find personal meaning in the collective gift, making the act of giving more intentional and fulfilling for all involved.
A Moral and Generational Imperative
This is more than financial planning; it is an act of moral courage rooted in collective responsibility. Picture Jewish families everywhere, not just the wealthy, acting with intention and a sense of shared obligation. The covenantal idea of ‘kol Yisrael arevim zeh lazeh’ (all of Israel is responsible for one another) resonates deeply here, urging each household and each generation to give in 2025 and say, ‘I believe in our people’s future.’
Whether you give $18 or $18,000, every donation says: I am part of this story. I will keep it alive.
Our ancestors didn’t build the Mishkan or the State of Israel through the largesse of one donor. They did it through collective responsibility, through many small offerings that, together, became something holy.
Now it’s our turn.
This opportunity is more than just about dollars; it’s about our shared destiny. 2025 is our moment to shape that future with wisdom, with purpose, and with unwavering love for our people. Together, we will meet 2025 with generosity and hope, turning inspiration into a communal vow for the future. For more information and resources check out these perspectives from Bernstein: https://www.bernstein.com/our-insights/insights/2025/articles/give-early-save-more-beat-the-new-charitable-floor-before-it-starts.html?wcmmode=disabled
