Ira Riklis and Important Charities

In the Hebrew tradition, the term “tzedakah” refers to giving unto others. The word literally means righteousness, but it is often interpreted as charity, because Judaism views giving as the ultimate act of righteousness. As Ira Riklis knows, whether it is teaching a skill, donating goods, or giving money, tzedakah is an integral part of living a Jewish life and is required of all Jews. But he also knows that there’s a “ladder” or hierarchy of giving, from barely acceptable to the most sublime.

The highest degree of charity is that which strengthens the hand of those in need through a gift, or preferably an interest-free loan or by entering into a business partnership with the poor person. By this partnership the poor man is, as the Torah commands, strengthened to the point where he can be independent and no longer dependent on the gifts of tzedakah. In giving unto others, Ira Riklis always strives to keep these principles in mind.

Bone marrow transplants now save thousands of lives each year. But Ira Riklis knows that for every one person who receives these life-saving treatments, several others may die having never found a match. While it’s relatively easy to match blood and plasma donors to those in need, it’s quite difficult to match bone marrow. And while donated blood can be processed and stored for a while before it’s needed, bone marrow donations much be taken at the precise time of need.

Instead, those willing to donate bone marrow send in a tissue sample (usually taken from a simple cheek swab) which gets entered into a national database. The more people who register as willing donors, the larger the database and the better the chance doctors can find a match for their patients. With that in mind, Ira Riklis signed up years ago as a potential donor. While he will likely never be called on to donate, he has the good feeling of knowing that he’s standing ready to save a life in case someone with a matching tissue type needs help.

It’s March, and spring is almost sprung! As the days lengthen and grow warmer, it’s time—especially for kids—to pull the bicycles out from the garage and head out for a ride in the sunshine. But first, it’s time to give a thought to bicycle safety. That means tuning up your bike AND making sure you have the right safety gear, especially a well-fitted helmet. Ira Riklis knows that on the dark side of a fun ride in the sun is the ever-present danger of injury.

In 2007 alone, nearly 700 bicyclists died and 43,000 were injured, mostly due to falls or collisions. From a statistical standpoint, bicycle riding has a higher death rate per trip or per mile of travel than being a passenger in an automobile. Ira Riklis became aware of these sobering statistics some years back when he was approached by a child safety organization in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he lived at the time. They came to him seeking his support in providing safety helmets for children. After learning that most bicycle deaths were caused by traumatic head injuries, he readily agreed to help. An event was planned, and on a fine spring day more than 5,000 kids accompanied by their parents, gathered in the parking lot of a local YMCA to be fitted for a free helmet. Now, as another spring rolls around, he urges parents to learn about bicycle safety and take steps to protect their children. A good place to start is at the Kids’ Health Website.

Some religious groups and organizations insist on strict adherence to their particular views. Disagree with those, or fail to follow their practices exactly and you may find yourself unwelcome in their company. But the Jewish educational organization Aish HaTorah takes a different approach. While they’re founded on strictly Orthodox principles, they welcome all who come to them seeking support or to learn more about the Jewish faith. That spirit of tolerance and acceptance is a main reason that Ira Riklis, who considers himself to fall somewhere between Conservative and Orthodox in his beliefs and practices, has been a long-time supporter of the organization.

Despite these differences, Ira Riklis
‘ life has been enriched through his studies with some of the group’s Rabbis and has often turned to them for support during trying times. For him, as well as for Aish HaTorah, Judaism is not all or nothing; it is a path one follows throughout life at your own pace.

If you’re reading this blog, chances are you have a job and a home and can put food on your table. But Ira Riklis knows that many people, even those with jobs, don’t have things like a home and regular meals that we fortunate ones take for granted. That’s why, on many Friday mornings, between 5:30 and 8:15, you’ll find him down serving up hot breakfasts and sack lunches for the Central Synagogue Caring Committee.

The group welcomes and serves all who come to eat, but their morning hours on Thursdays and Fridays were chosen specifically to help the working poor and those looking for jobs. These people need nourishment as they head off to work or to search for work. The meals provide them with a much-needed boost as they start their day. Ira Riklis realizes that these meals provide them with support critical to helping these people raise the quality of their lives.

Tel Aviv is one of the world’s most dynamic cities. But within its boundaries lie many neighborhoods where citizens live in poverty. It’s that fact that led to the formation of the Tel Aviv Foundation in 1977 and which has led Ira Riklis and his family to be staunch supporters of the foundation for more than twenty years.

The Foundation provides for the needy and creates opportunities for a better future for Tel Aviv and all of Israel through catalyzing donors as strategic partners in projects throughout the city. To date, they’ve raised more than $300 million, money that has gone to support more than 300 projects in education, culture, the arts, sports and social services. Ira Riklis isn’t the largest donor, but he and his family have supported more projects than any other donor. And to make sure their effort have the maximum impact, they’ve focused all of their projects to helping one needy neighborhood—Schoonat Ezra.