Abstract
This chapter will explore the role of values in motivating and influencing volunteers for international development by way of exploring the unique educational approach of an Israeli-Jewish international development and social justice organization called Tevel B’Tzedek. A highly distinctive feature of the organization is its focus on education and, in particular, on inculcating in volunteers a strong sense of values. The chapter begins with an explanation of the values orientation and education system by the organization’s founder and director Rabbi Micha Odenheimer. The chapter then continues with a detailed report of a year-long investigation into its educational methodology by Chen Levin-Schleider. A fascinating picture emerges of the interplay between values and other motivations, which raises important ideas for volunteering organizations.
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Notes
- 1.
Shita Mekubetzet to Ketubot 67b cites the Geonim that the rule applies only in the event that the person’s poverty has not yet become known and there is a likelihood that it will soon be averted. Rabbi Samuel de Modena argues that the rule only applies where there are grounds to fear the person’s mental deterioration (Responsa Maharashdam Yoreh Deah response 166). Contemporary Rabbi Eliezer Melamed suggests that this is only a temporary solution to allow him to become more gradually accustomed to a more modest lifestyle (Peninei Halacha, Likutim 2 (5566) pp. 125−126).
- 2.
However, see Tzedaka uMishpat Chapter 3 Note 20, a broad discussion about whether a person may give all his charity to relatives. However, those who use aniyei ircha kodmin to limit humanitarian concern to Jews should note that the code also gives precedence to rabbis over laypersons and to residents of the Holy Land over others.
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Ives, Y., Odenheimer, M., Levin-Schleider, C. (2016). Role of Values for Motivation and Direction of International Development Volunteers: A Case Study of Tevel b’Tzedek. In: Ben-Avie, M., Ives, Y., Loewenthal, K. (eds) Applied Jewish Values in Social Sciences and Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21933-2_14
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