Hi all
I have two parents 85 yrs and 75 yrs who are very active in a evangelical church that is mostly older folks. Every year these jewish organizations come in to ask for donations from the evangelical congregations and they bleed their pockets dry. My parents are so moved by these stories and speakers that come that they donated thousands of dollars they do not have to give instead of repairing their fence, or new roof, or buying new tires. They literally will not stop giving all their money to Israel charities because they were conditioned to think this is what the bible tells them to do. I should preface I have NOTHING against jewish people and have jewish family on my fathers side, but this feels like swindling old people and I cannot get them to stop donating to these charities. They have donated enough money at this point to buy a house in some states and have neglected things they need to do it. I do not know what to do as they both appear of sound mind to everyone else, outside of this one area of charity giving.
Please any advice on what to do as I do not live near them and do not have control of their finances. I dont know how to get them to stop as everytime I show them data on how much money actually goes out from these charities they dont believe me.
Thanks so much
Ana
Personal observation: when I was still working, and for a year or two afterwards, I continued donating to charities (as well as politicians and causes) I believed in and had vetted thoroughly. While the amounts were reasonable, when I started thinking it through--really thinking it through as an elder on a fixed income--I realized that the biggest favor I could do any charity was to remain financially solvent for as long as I could. This so as not to need their help--or that of the government--for as long as possible. I still donate but much less now and to a few VERY carefully chosen nonprofits. My husband and I try to tend to our own NEEDS first so as not to burden our family.
To have organizations come into the church and ask for money from members is wrong IMHO this is like having a time share do a presentation in the church or any other business dealings.
If people want to donate to charities, great but the church should not be sponsoring and promoting these things (and I would say this for ALL charities) because there are many vulnerable and gullible people in the church that will give and give, even if they really don't have the money to give.
I question the validity of your posting.
The thought of "Jewish organizations come in to ask for donations from the evangelical congregations and they bleed their pockets dry" is truly unthinkable to me. Are you certain your parents have their facts straight? Is this happening in the UK?
My only suggestion is to see if they'll give you FPOA so you can manage their finances. Otherwise, perhaps this a fraudulent situation disguised as a fundraising campaign which seems questionable too.
My dad does this mainly with children charities. They send him birthday cards with pictures of children he's helping etc. Send him little gifts to make him feel even more obligated.
He has steps up to the upper level of his home where his kitchen bedroom etc are that are literally tilting to one side and the railings are ready to fall off. He has plumbing issues. He needs a house cleaner. He can barely walk and won't go to a doctor (other than a cardiologist he loves). He has a tree ready to fall in his yard next to the house.
These things will never be fixed between his debt and his donations.
I've told him to stop it and he acts like he agrees and then I'll see his outgoing mail with donation envelopes.
Good luck!
Look up these organizations first to see how much money goes to actually helping people too. It may give you some ammunitiin when you talk to the church leaders. All of which should be present.
https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/363256096