Many people wonder what they can actually do to help reduce the social gaps in Israel. Some believe that new laws or government initiatives are needed. But there’s another, simpler path—one you can start today: donating ma’aser kesafim (tithes) through the Meir Panim organization.
In Judaism, ma’aser kesafim isn’t just another recommendation or a social trend. It’s a mitzvah (commandment) rooted in the Torah, in the portion of “Aser Te’aser”—”You shall surely tithe.” The concept is simple: take one-tenth of your earnings and use it to benefit others. Don’t keep all your income to yourself—share it. That’s what our forefather Jacob did, and it’s what people around the world continue to do today. Some give a fifth, some a tenth, but all share in the same principle: to ensure that even those who have little, will have a bit more.
How Much Is a Tithe in Practice?
You calculate all your income—salary, profits, business deals. Then you subtract basic expenses like taxes or direct business costs. From the remaining amount, you give ten percent. It doesn’t have to be a huge sum. Even someone earning modestly can give modestly. This isn’t a competition—it’s a moral and social obligation.
Tithing to Meir Panim – Because Children Deserve It Too
Meir Panim takes this mitzvah and turns it into a real tool for strengthening Israeli society. Every tithe the organization receives fuels a comprehensive system of support for underprivileged populations. A tithe donated for children, for example, helps the organization fund meals in schools and kindergartens. Some kids come to school with no food from home. Thanks to these donations, they get a sandwich and a drink and start their day with a smile.
Tithes also reach Holocaust survivors, lonely elderly individuals, and families who can’t even afford to pay their electricity bills. Meir Panim operates across the country and allocates donations in the most targeted way possible. What’s meant for children goes to children. What’s meant for families goes directly to them. No middlemen. No fancy brochures. Just direct help.
You Choose Where Your Tithe Goes
Some people choose to direct their tithes toward helping lone soldiers—those who have no home to return to on the weekend and no warm Shabbat table. Meir Panim helps them too, with meals, basic supplies, and sometimes even furniture. Because a soldier who fights for everyone deserves to return to something that feels a little like home.
Donating a tithe through a reliable organization like Meir Panim is far more than a religious practice. It’s a real connection between different layers of society. A person in central Israel donates, and a family in the periphery receives help. A successful business sets aside part of its earnings, and thanks to that, children in Jerusalem get a hot lunch. This isn’t philanthropy reserved for the wealthy—anyone can take part, even with a small amount.
One Click and Your Donation Is on Its Way
The best part is that it doesn’t take much. A few clicks on Meir Panim’s website, choose an amount that works for you, and your donation is on its way. Everything is documented and organized. That’s how we build a stronger society together. Fewer walls of “us” and “them.” More connection, more care, more equality.
The organization’s system even allows recurring donors to receive detailed reports on how their money was used—who benefited and in which areas—while maintaining the privacy of the aid recipients.
Tithing is an opportunity to give real meaning to every shekel you earn. To turn private income into something social, something greater than just one person’s life. Meir Panim makes this possible—not in theory, but in the daily lives of thousands of families who are waiting for exactly this kind of support.
