Who am I here for?

Facilitator reads the following for context: We show up to volunteer for all different kinds of reasons, some more obvious to us and some less obvious. We sometimes may come with intentions that are more inward focused, and at other times more outward focused. There also maybe times where we are not sure why exactly we showed up, all that we know is that we did. Giving is transformative — and not just to the recipient. In a survey of studies linking altruistic behaviors to improved health, researchers from the University of Michigan concluded that giving time and money to organizations, providing social support to friends, family and community, caring for the elderly or the handicapped, and cultivating compassionate attitudes and traits is associated with higher psychological well-being, including increased happiness and self-esteem, and decreased loneliness and depression.

Facilitator reads to the group: Service at its very core involves growth, change and development of the self, whether that is a stated intention at the outset or not. Growth as a value is the process in which a person evolves, changes and becomes more advanced through their own efforts. It involves both a change of character and abilities. By giving and doing, we ourselves are changed. In other words, when we give, we receive. But does that receipt take away from our giving?

Anchor the tension above in Jewish wisdom by reading or having the participants read the following: In an extensive discussion of the laws of tzedakah/charity, the Babylonian Talmud (Jewish Legal Code) discusses the practice of those who would give charity before tefilla/prayer. In that context the Talmud reflects on the transformative nature that giving has, not just on the recipient, but on the giver. Baba Batra 10a states:

Even when a person gives a mere peruta (a small amount of money) to a poor person, they merit to receive the Divine Presence, as it is stated: “As for me, I will behold Your face through charity; I will be satisfied, when I awake, with Your likeness” (Psalms 17:15)

אָדָם נוֹתֵן פְּרוּטָה לֶעָנִי – זוֹכֶה וּמְקַבֵּל פְּנֵי שְׁכִינָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֲנִי בְּצֶדֶק אֶחֱזֶה פָנֶיךָ, אֶשְׂבְּעָה בְהָקִיץ תְּמוּנָתֶךָ״

Facilitator prompts the group: With a havruta/partner, return to and review the questions posed above.

• Discuss the tension inherent in the fact that by giving, one also receives.

Facilitator gathers the group. Those comfortable can share the product of their havruta. Facilitator then asks the group:

• What are 2 new insights you are walking away with after engaging in this service activity specifically as relate to the tension between self-development, and giving to others?
• If comfortable, each group member can share an insight.

Read the passage below: Today’s conversation surfaces a tension that can appear across almost all service work that we do: the idea that when we give, we also ourselves receive. Does that matter? How do we balance our own motivation to grow, grow and develop, with the purity of the desire to give to others? Thinking about self-development as a value in the context of service work can be tricky, but it allows us to look both internally, at the ways we personally grow and change, and externally, thinking about the relationships that we build with others to whom we are giving. Facilitator prompts the group:

• I came in thinking that I was here today to/for ___________ and;
• I am leaving knowing thatI am also here to/for _____________.

Read the passage below:

Today’s conversation surfaces a tension that can appear across almost all service work that we do: the idea that when we give, we also ourselves receive. Does that matter? How do we balance our own motivation to grow, grow and develop, with the purity of the desire to give to others? Thinking about self-development as a value in the context of service work can be tricky, but it allows us to look both internally, at the ways we personally grow and change, and externally, thinking about the relationships that we build with others to whom we are giving.

Facilitator prompts the group:

• I came in thinking that I was here today to/for ___________ and;
• I am leaving knowing thatI am also here to/for _____________.