Philanthropy and What It Means to Post-Acute and Long-Term Care

The word philanthropy, which is a Greek word, literally means loving people. Commonly used in English, the word generally reflects a sense of goodwill to others and is demonstrated by promoting the welfare of others by giving of one's time and money to help a specific cause (eg, helping a family after a fire, providing scholarships for students who otherwise could not afford school). There are religious and cultural aspects to philanthropy as well. For Jewish individuals, the phrase tikkun olam is used as a mandate to be engaged in social action work and to give tzedakah, which is charitable giving, and to perform gemilut hasadim, or acts of kindness.