FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC, March 25, 2002.

New ethical standards for American Jewish philanthropies, which offer guidelines for the highest levels of ethical operation based on Jewish tradition and American law and practice, have been published by Tzedakah, Inc. and have already been endorsed by two major Jewish organizations.

Tzedakah, Inc., an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to raising the spiritual and economic effectiveness of philanthropy in the Jewish community, has received endorsements for the standards from the Jewish National Fund and the Shefa Fund. In the next few months major organizations across the spectrum of American Jewish life will be invited to endorse the standards, with the goal that most American Jewish charities will operate under the same uniform system of ethics. Tzedakah, or charity, is a central tenet of Judaism.

The standards were developed during a year-long effort by a blue-ribbon panel of experts in Jewish and American law and custom, American accounting and audit standards, consumer protection, and philanthropy. They cover such topics as organizational governance, reporting and disclosure, conflicts of interest, fundraising practices, and human resource policies.

The standards appear in Tzedakah, Inc.’s just-published guide for Jewish nonprofits Be Pure Before God and Israel: Principles of Ethics, Governance, and Accountability for Jewish Philanthropies in the United States. In addition to the standards, the guide contains much useful information for board members and managers of Jewish philanthropies, drawn from both Jewish and secular sources.

The guide also features "Tzedakah and Tzedek: Halachic & Ethical Financial Requirements Pertaining to Charitable Organizations," by Rabbi Daniel Feldman, published by the Orthodox Caucus. That work is a detailed summary of Jewish law as it pertains to the financial operations of charities including such issues as the characteristics and responsibilities of philanthropic officials, appropriate fundraising techniques and the rights and responsibilities of donors.

Tzedakah, Inc.’s president, Dr. Ira Kaminow noted that "if followed, these standards could raise the effectiveness of Jewish philanthropies, making every scarce tzedakah dollar go farther. We’re also hoping the standards will make for better-informed donors and smarter giving." Kaminow went on to say, "We’re really proud of the breakthrough work this panel has undertaken. To the best of my knowledge, no other body has ever developed ethical standards for philanthropies based on both Jewish and American law and practice."

Rabbi Basil Herring, Executive Chairman of the Orthodox Caucus said "our work can be effective only if it gets support from donors and philanthropies. We are expecting to have leading non-profits and rabbinic groups endorse the documents in the near future."

For a copy of Be Pure Before God and Israel: Principles of Ethics, Governance, and Accountability for Jewish Philanthropies in the United States and more information about Tzedakah, Inc. go to its Internet websites; www.just-tzedakah.org .   The Orthodox Caucus website is at www.orthodoxcaucus.org

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