As a young woman, my friend and I volunteered to collect funds for a Jewish agency. One of the names on our list was a very elderly lady who lived alone.

She invited us into her tiny apartment, sat us down and went to get her purse.

Coming back into the room she said, "imagine how happy I am to be able to make a donation this year. Last year I had to ask for help for myself and this year I am able to give".

She reached into her change purse and gave 50 cents. We thanked her profusely and quickly left. We did not speak, but got into the car, looked at each other and found we were both in tears.

It was then that we both understood what the giving of Tzedakah should mean to every Jewish person…to provide whatever possible for the preservation of our people and to teach this to all our generations.