January 22, 2004 | Read Time: 1 minute
Ramban’s Ladder: a Meditation on Generosity and Why It Is Necessary to Give
by Julie Salamon
Reflecting on charitable giving, Julie Salamon, a culture writer and critic for The New York Times, discusses religious teachings on charity, the generosity of many New Yorkers following the September 11 terrorist attacks, and her own feelings about giving money to a homeless man she encounters often.
The book draws on the writings of the 12th-century philosopher Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, commonly known as Maimonides or as Rambam, an acronym derived from his name. He outlined eight levels of giving, from that which is done reluctantly to the pinnacle of philanthropy—gifts that help others become self-sufficient. For each level, Ms. Salamon discusses some of the choices people make when determining whether and how to give, for example, how much to donate and whether to expect recognition or to give anonymously.
The book also includes material from interviews Ms. Salamon conducted with fund raisers, grant makers, and philanthropists.
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company, 708 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003-9555; (212) 254-5900; fax (212) 254-8098; info@workman.com; http://www.workman.com; 192 pages; $18.95; I.S.B.N. 0-7611-2809-3.
