From the Editor

Nadine Epstein

People who possess loving-kindness are sensitive to need around them and driven to do something about it, often without being asked. Loving-kindness isn’t always revealed immediately; many of us keep it veiled lest others take advantage, but nearly all of us possess it at some time in our lives.

The Talmud tells us: “Tzedakah is equal to all the other commandments combined.” This quotation from Bava Batra makes it clear that it is our responsibility to address the needs of our world.

Giving, of course, is a form of kindness, yet another highly valued human attribute. It is best expressed in Hebrew by the word chesed, which means “loving-kindness.” People who possess loving-kindness are sensitive to need around them and driven to do something about it, often without being asked. You can see this in their eyes, their faces, the set of their mouths. Loving-kindness isn’t always revealed immediately; many of us keep it veiled lest others take advantage, but nearly all of us possess it at some time in our lives.

Rabbi Tarfon taught in the Pirkei Avot (“Book of Our Fathers”), that the world stands on three things: Torah, works and acts of loving-kindness. As Jews, each of us is asked to give of our wisdom, hearts, time and resources to causes that reflect our values. That is why in this issue we include The Moment Giving Guide, a supplement that provides information about a selection of meaningful charities that depend on your support.

We also explore how women “give” of themselves. Women have long been considered the second sex in terms of financial giving, but now that we control a (slight) majority of the nation’s wealth, we are beginning to reshape modern philanthropy. Moment spoke with philanthropists and those who work with them to find out if women give differently from men and, if so, how. Since it’s predicted that women will control more wealth in the not-too-distant future, their answers provide important clues to the future giving style of the Jewish people, and indeed, of all Americans.

This issue is rich in content that we believe will hold its value for years to come. Recently, I visited neurologist and writer Oliver Sacks at his home office in Manhattan. Because my son Noah is fascinated by both neurology and Sacks’s first love, chemistry, I brought him along. Together, we caught a glimpse of Sacks’s delightfully wide-ranging mind: His favorite mementoes were our guide, each one opening a new window into his thinking.

Through another window, we examine an unexpected result of the Orthodox rabbinate’s control of marriage in Israel. Karin Tanabe recently traveled to Cyprus, the wedding destination of thousands of Israeli couples that don’t meet Orthodox marriage requirements. Tanabe examines why—thanks to the Ottoman-era system still in force in Israel, Lebanon and other Middle East countries—the Greek half of the island of Aphrodite has become known for its flourishing wedding industry.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Frankel writes about his latest visit to Hebron. He reports on how difficult it is for the city’s residents to live normal lives due to the “sterile zones” that the Israeli Army has been forced to create in order to protect the settlers. The city has, in effect, been broken in two.

Those of you who have traveled to China may know that the Chinese consider themselves the “Jews of Asia.” They hold firm to the stereotype that Jews are all rich, amazingly talented in business, and blessed with a formula for raising high-achieving children. On a recent visit to China, Moment associate editor, Susan Fishman Orlins, immersed herself in the subject so that she could understand the Chinese view of a people they know little about.

A few new features to look out for! The Moment Magazine Book Club debuts on page 71. Our first selection is Night, by Moment co-founder and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel. Even if you have read this classic, you are sure to be stimulated by the probing discussion questions on our website, developed by literature professor and book club editor Susan Willens. For those in search of levity, we invite you to check out our new online Spice Box feature. In response to popular demand, you now have the opportunity to “Outwit the Editor” and come up with your own Spice Box witticisms. Visit momentmag.com/outwit to join in the fun.

And speaking again of making the world a better place, we remind you of our annual high school essay contest, “You Can Save the World.” This year’s question is “What can you do to help slow global warming?” The contest is co-sponsored this year by PANIM: The Institute for Jewish Leadership & Values. Winners will receive a gift certificate and a free trip to Washington, DC, to attend a leadership seminar and awards ceremony. The deadline for entries is February 1. Visit our website to learn more.

Before I sign off, I want to thank the selfless people who give so much of their time, financial support and love to Moment, because they believe in what the magazine stands for and what it means to the Jewish world. I can’t begin to name all of them here. The list includes you, dear readers, some of whom I have been lucky enough to talk to, correspond with or even meet. Thank you, all of you, for your loving-kindness!