Beyond the Piggy Bank: Tzedkah Boxes

When I last wrote about piggy banks, I got this comment from fellow organizer Claire Josefine:

Jeri, have I already suggested that you do a related post on Tzedakah boxes, or pushkes? They are boxes - some very ornate - intended for saving for charitable purposes. A nice, slightly different angle on savings. -

Glad to oblige, Claire! And this seems a good time to look at these boxes, as we enter a season of thanksgiving - and of giving to others.

Let's start with one that actually looks like a box - although Yair Emanuel has tzedakah boxes in a number of shapes.




Here a tzedakah box from Gary Rosenthal, with tzedakah in Hebrew, and these words in English: May we not be judged by how much we acquire but let us be blessed according to how much we give.




This is one of the many tzedakah boxes from Stained Glass Designs by Susan Fullenbaum.




Here's a lovely little porcelain tzedakah box from Spode.




And here's a hand-painted tzedakah box from Kakadu Designs. Update on April 17, 2019: The company no longer shows any tzedakah boxes on its website.




Here's a tzedakah box with a Noah's Ark theme, from Seeka - where you can find many other designs, too. These boxes are made from stainless steel. Update on April 17, 2019: The company no longer shows any tzedakah boxes on its website.

I found this one at Modern Tribe; it's identified as the Real Men Give Tzedakah Box. It's made by Steve Bronstein of Blackthorne Forge. [via Cool Mom Picks] Update on April 19, 2019: I'm no longer finding this one at Modern Tribe, but this one (or something similar) is at Blackthorne Forge.





Reuven Masel makes some pretty amazing synagogue replica tzedakah boxes.





Finally, let's admire this incredible sterling silver Tzedakah box with its gorgeous filagree work. Update on April 17, 2019: I'm no longer finding this box by Ben-Zion David anywhere on the web.