Basics
What is the Areivim USA Program?
The Areivim USA Program is a unique charity program that raises funds for widows/ widowers and young orphans in a unique and dignified manner.
Does Areivim USA organize fund raising drives for widows and orphans?
No! In fact, the program was founded in
order to eliminate the need for such fund
raising drives. These drives are humiliating to
grieving families and are often not successful.
Areivim USA ensures that the dignity and
privacy of the family is preserved.
How does Areivim USA raise the funds?
Areivim USA has a group of members. If
tragedy strikes and a member passes away,
r”l, Areivim USA will initiate a process to
review whether it is appropriate to collect
funds for the benefit of the surviving
family members, and provided Areivim
USA, pursuant to its operating procedures,
determines it appropriate, Areivim USA will
initiate a collection of funds from its members
to help support the widow/widower and
orphans. While the amount contributed by
each member is minimal, the amount of the
fund which is established for the surviving
parent and the orphans is very significant.
How much does each orphan receive?
The goal of Areivim USA is to raise a
maximum of $100,000 for each orphan
to help provide for food, clothing, tuition,
medical and wedding expenses, etc.
What is done with the funds collected?
Once the monies are raised they are
transferred to a trust that is overseen by
a board which consists of a Rav, a family
representative and an Areivim USA
representative.
How much do families receive in the event of a parent’s passing?
When a member passes away, Areivim USA,
together with local Rabbonim and askanim,
conducts a thorough evaluation of the needs
of the orphaned children based upon a set
of criteria developed together with a wellknown
Torah-observant estate planning
lawyer, and a fund-raising goal is set based on
the needs of the family.
Our goal is to raise a maximum of $100,000
for each orphaned child in need. However
this amount is based on a full group of over
14,000 members. Until we reach that goal the
amount depends on the size of the group.
How much does each member contribute per orphan?
Up to $7.00. This is a one-time donation
per newly-orphaned child. In addition, each
member will contribute up to an additional
$7.00 for the surviving parent, if he/she is left
with three or more orphans to raise, r”l.
What about the widow/widower?
As mentioned previously, up to an additional
$100,000 will be raised for surviving parents
of three or more unmarried orphans to help
cover the cost of raising a large family alone.
Is a couple considered two individual members?
No. When a family registers with Areivim
USA, they receive a family membership. Areivim USA will initiate its fundraising
process in the event of the passing of either
approved parent. They also contribute
only once per orphan, when a fellow group
member passes away r”l.
What happens after a family benefits from Areivim USA?
Can the surviving
parent remain in the program, and will a
fund be raised in the event of the loss of
their second parent?
Areivim USA will collect funds only once
on behalf of any particular orphan. After
that, the surviving parent is welcome to
remain a member of Areivim USA, with the
understanding that in case of his/her passing
r”l, funds will not be collected again, since
a fund for these orphans has already been
established
What happens if there are more than the required number of members in the group?
The amount contributed by each member
will then be lowered accordingly, but the
amount collected on behalf of the family will
remain the same.
May a member contribute more than $7.00 per orphan?
Yes. Areivim USA is a tzedaka organization
and welcomes additional contributions by
members and non-members alike
May the funds be invested?
Funds may not be invested due to the
associated risks. However they may be held
in secure interest bearing accounts. Interest
earned will be added to the fund.
WHY NOT CONTINUE WITH THE AGE-OLD PRACTICE OF COLLECTING CHARITY FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS, ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS?
There are several serious disadvantages to maintaining the status quo of collecting charity for individual families.
1. Shame and pain.
Families suffering from the loss of a parent are shattered. Their pain is greatly increased when they become “public charity cases”, dependent on the generosity and goodwill of the community. This is especially true when, in an effort to increase donations, photos of the deceased and/or the orphans are published and even plastered on walls throughout the entire community. The widow and orphans pay a terrible price. Their pain becomes public – and their shame is beyond description. Areivim USA eliminates the need for splashy, humiliating campaigns. Funds are raised discreetly and with dignity
2. Cost
Mailings, advertising campaigns, and tea parties are expensive. A significant percentage of donated funds are deducted from the funds that should be going to the widow and orphans in order to pay for the large overhead expenses incurred in connection with such campaigns. Areivim USA eliminates the need for expensive fundraising campaigns that take money away from widows and orphans. Areivim USA operates with low overhead costs. These overhead costs are sponsored by kind-hearted individuals. 100% of contributions made by Areivim USA members are allocated to funds established on behalf of bereaved families.
3.Unreliable and insufficient returns
No campaign is guaranteed to succeed. In times of economic uncertainty, donors cannot give large contributions. In addition, our community has unfortunately suffered many tragic losses in recent years, r”l, and many people have become less attentive to the needs of widows and orphans. It is becoming increasingly difficult to raise sufficient funds to meet the needs of the family. Areivim USA has a goal of raising as much as $100,000 for every member orphan. If there are more than three orphans in a family, up to an additional $100,000 will be raised to help the surviving parent deal with the financial realities of raising orphans alone.
4. The Economy
The philanthropic backbone of our community has in the past been severely affected by financial downturns and recessions. It can be harder than ever to raise significant funds through traditional channels in such times. Areivim USA is “recession proof.” Funds are raised through existing members, rather than through the usual fundraising methods. Members contribute only a minimal amount per newly-orphaned child, never more than the predetermined amount in any given month.
Prevention is Cheaper
Why donate only in times of crisis when a simple monthly contribution can help prevent one from ever occuring?
