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The Eighth Rung Foundation |
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In order to help urban entrepreneurs reach their goal of sustainability, The Eighth Rung Foundation has attracted a group of active volunteer mentors who work with our clients on an as needed, day-to-day basis. The Foundation brings together key executives of all faiths in fostering business ethics based on the Eight Levels of Charity professed by Maimonides.
Our mentors provide their insight and experience, as well as their support for our fulltime staff in the process of client management. An extra set of outside eyes can go a long way in business development; our mentors provide the vision that aids in the success of our business model. For more information please click the link below: |
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Our core principle in the success of this exchange: the business follows biblical principles of treating all stakeholders as they would want to be treated.
The Eighth Rung Foundation is currently accepting applications for Eighth Rung Volunteer Mentors from all areas of business and industry.
For more information contact our offices. |
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The Eighth Rung Foundation, Inc. 616 East 63rd Street Kansas City, MO 64110 |
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To contact us: |
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F: 816-361-1786 |
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Advancing Sustainable Business in the Kansas City Urban Core |
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The Eighth Rung Foundation, Inc. |
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Moshe ben Maimon (1135-1204) was a Jewish rabbi, physician and philosopher. He is most commonly known by his Greek name, Moses Maimonides (or more formally Rabbi Moses ben Maimonides), and subsequently many Jewish works refer to him by the acronym of his title and name, RaMBaM or Rambam.
Maimonides defines eight levels in giving charity (tzedakah). Each one is higher than the other. On an ascending level, they are as follows:
1. When donations are given grudgingly. 2. When one gives less than he should, but does so cheerfully. 3. When one gives directly to the poor upon being asked. 4. When one gives directly to the poor without being asked. 5. Donations when the recipient is aware of the donor's identity, but the donor still doesn't know the specific identity of the recipient. 6. Donations when the donor is aware to whom the charity is being given, but the recipient is unaware of the source. 7. 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. 8. 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.
(based on Yad, Matanot Ani'im X 114) Source: Shamash and Donin, Hayim. To Be a Jew: A Guide to Jewish Observance in Contemporary Life. NY: Basic Books, 1991. |