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LastWhiteSoxFanStanding
01-25-2015, 09:50 PM
I am creating an essay assignment for my students about Maimonides levels of charity. The question will be something along the lines of "Describe Maimodines levels of charity. Which people (historical, modern or fictional) would you put on each level?

My problem is I am having trouble coming up with famous people or situations they can research in a book or online. Writing about their Uncle Ralph won't cut it :)

Would love some help on names so I can give students 15-20 names that they can research and categorize for the paper. Thanks in advance!!

For those unfamiliar with the levels, here it is:

On an ascending level, they are as follows:
8. When donations are given grudgingly.

7. When one gives less than he should, but does so cheerfully.

6. When one gives directly to the poor upon being asked.

5. When one gives directly to the poor without being asked.

4. Donations when the recipient is aware of the donor's identity, but the donor still doesn't know the specific identity of the recipient.

3. Donations when the donor is aware to whom the charity is being given, but the recipient is unaware of the source.

2. Giving assistance in such a way that the giver and recipient are unknown to each other. Communal funds, administered by responsible people are also in this category.

1. The highest form of charity is to help sustain a person before they become impoverished by offering a substantial gift in a dignified manner, or by extending a suitable loan, or by helping them find employment or establish themselves in business so as to make it unnecessary for them to become dependent on others.

LastWhiteSoxFanStanding
01-25-2015, 09:53 PM
Offhand I was thinking of those who helped Anne Frank and the volunteers on 9.11

I am well aware I might have bit off more than I can chew with this question, but I thought it could be a fun thought exercise.

Julio Riddols
01-25-2015, 10:21 PM
Bill Gates could be in there somewhere.

Lathum
01-26-2015, 11:34 AM
Warren Buffet?

Andre Johnson?

AENeuman
01-26-2015, 11:54 AM
Along the lines of Gates, most of the Robber Barron's: Stanford, Carnegie, Rockefeller, etc

Oskar Schindler, Bob Cratchit could be several.

Also, the US response to the AIDS epidemic.

Butter
01-26-2015, 12:31 PM
I don't know how you give a few examples without then assuring that all of the papers you receive will contain the examples you give.

If you are talking about 8 levels and a few examples per level, then you need more like 40 examples.

ColtCrazy
01-26-2015, 12:53 PM
Benjamin Franklin
Mother Teresa
Clara Barton
William Penn

LastWhiteSoxFanStanding
01-27-2015, 09:42 AM
Thanks for the suggestions fellas! I will add them to my list.