Our own #Icebucketchallenge

מים טהורים

The Social media frenzy, the ALS Ice bucket challenge  used to raise awareness and funds for research for the terrible  machla of ALS,  is an activity involving dumping a bucket of ice water on one's head or donating to the ALS Association in the United States. The challenge dares nominated participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads. A common stipulation is that nominated people have 24 hours to comply or forfeit by way of a charitable financial donation. President George Bush, Microsoft ceo Bill Gates and other celebrities all joined in and participated, Obama has yet to respond he opted to give a check.
While this is a meshugass for a good cause, when it comes to our own mosdos and tzadakas are we only giving when we are challenged in one way or another. The amount of money that Mosdos have to spend on marketing just to get our attention is mind boggling.
Imagine how much money would go to tzedaka if we would send money directly to mosdos and yeshivos without them having to figure out a way of getting it from us. How much does a  Fund raising Dinner cost? a auction, experienced fundraisers, Raffles, parlor meetings, various expensive productions in hopes of getting a return for profit.

We may laugh at those dumping cold water on their heads but are we any different? Yes we are baalei tzedaka and gomlei chasadim and we give maaser, we have philanthropists that are giving like never before. However If  Jewish organizations and yeshivos are resorting to other tactics and means to get our attention, its not reflective on them but actually its reflective on us, it measures were we stand how we give and what makes us part with our money.
during these days of shiva denechemtah let us be zoche through tzedaka to the ultimate
                               וזרקתי עליכם מים טהורים וטהרתם