The following is the introduction to the unit on the value of Giving.
If you had to identify a key quality that is central to creating and sustaining a family, an organization, a community, or the world, what quality would you pick?
Jewish teachings maintain that God created and sustains our world through chesed. What does the Hebrew word chesed mean? It is typically translated as loving-kindness. It is love as a deed. On the Momentum trip, we learn that in Hebrew the word for love, ahava, comes from the word hav — to give. Chesed goes beyond ‘being nice.’ It is love that is woven through faithful gestures of understanding, generosity, and support, coming from kindness and no other motive. Chesed is one of the pillars that sustains the world.
When we learn how to become givers — through acts of chesed and generous giving (tzedakah), we help others and we transform ourselves. We look at the world with fresh eyes, open to the needs of those around us and eager to use our powers to make the world a better place.
The Year of Growth book enriches the Momentum year-long journey. Most Partner Organizations build on Year of Growth resources to deepen group learning. Mothers use the book to share learning with friends and family and to bring the learning back to their children.
Year of Growth is given in Israel to all Momentum trip participants in English, Russian, Spanish, or Hebrew as of 2020.
Dr. Ronit Ziv-Kreger, Momentum Director of Education and Leadership Development
THIS WEBSITE WAS CREATED IN LOVING MEMORY OF RITA KRAKOWER MARGOLIS 
