As I am reading a story in the SF Chronicle about the Haas family, I am struck not just by the generosity of this family, but also by who they support through their foundation and how they go about it.
This is a short diary about family values... the right kind of values.
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Don't know who the Haas family is? Think Levi Strauss and the gold rush. Levi made his money making jeans that were durable. Levi's first philanthropic en devour was providing scholarships for students at UC Berkeley, many of whom were women (this is in 1897!).
The Haas family has continued its tradition of providing regional support to the Bay Area communities in need. Why? Originally because it is in the Jewish tradition to give back, as quoted in an article in the Chronicle
"It's clear that the Jewish tradition has a strong element of giving back," she said. "I think that may have been a driving force for our earlier generations, but it's more how we're raised. It is not a Jewish idea. It is a civic responsibility."
Wally Haas added, "It's the values of the family -- of fairness, equality and opportunity. I think we hear the voices of our parents in our giving. They told us, 'Whatever you do, look to make a difference in people's lives.' We are compelled to confront society's more vexing ills."
So when I hear the right wing extremists echo the mantra "we have values and they don't", I get mad. Here is a family that are: immigrants who earned their money, very modest about their giving (the article states that they have not given an interview for a very long time and even then do not want to talk about their personal life), and give to a wide variety of projects.
I personally worked with a homeless youth organization that was the recipient of Haas money to build the first shelter for young adults 18-24. This gift had the effect of reducing crime, HIV transmission and creating opportunities that would not have been possible for these youth in one swoop! The Haas family never showed up to be honored or asked for recognition.
The only thing that disappoints me is this: We have values too, we just aren't using it as a wedge issue to win elections and divide our country.
So, thank you to the Haas family for all of your work and thank you to all of those who do give to a cause that is important to you, it makes my heart warm to see the other side of this 'values' issue.