meshulach with no letter from Rabbi H

[HLC]

someone came to my door last week collecting money for some yeshiva. I asked him for his letter. he didnt have one. he said he is only going to be here a short time, he didnt realize he was going to be here. i told him in baltimore you need a letter from rabbi heinemann, and i didnt give him anything.

this is still bothering me a little bit. on one hand, i believe this letter system is setup so people dont just come one day with nothing better to do and start asking for money. from what i understand the letter process is just a formality and they dont look into each case per se. on the other hand, he had letters from various other rabbonim just as qualified and respected as r heinemann.

what are your thoughts?

[Belligerent Bob]

Use your common sense. If the other letters are legit, no reason to not give if you can. We aren't required to bow to Rabbi Heinemman's lordship over Baltimore...

[Doughnut]

My thoughts are that this door-to-door business is beyond ridiculous. There are many, many charitable organizations established in the US and Israel for just about every imaginable social need. There is no reason a person needs to go door-to-door in this day and age. Why can't that person apply to an existing organization? If he is so needy then they will give him money.

Another major problem with these people are the fees they pay to drivers and helpers. I have it on reasonable authority (admittedly anecdotal) that for every dollar you give to a door-to-door solicitor about 1/3 goes to their helper. That is an administrative amount way beyond anything reasonable.

Personally, I do not give these people anything and I don't feel guily or bad about it in the least. I say give your money to reputable charities. If a person needs money they can apply to those.

[HLC]

Use your common sense. If the other letters are legit, no reason to not give if you can. We aren't required to bow to Rabbi Heinemman's lordship over Baltimore...

i mentioned before its not about any "lordship over baltimore" its more of a practical thing.he was actually the 3rd meshulach at my house that week, i can only imagine what it would be like if there were no barriers in place.

[Stanley]

Have any of you ever been to Shomrei on a Thursday morning? Somehow, that became meshulach day, and I get an average of 9-10 meshulachim approaching me during davening. The real chutzpah is that they also ask for money from the shaliach tzibur while he's davening.

[Warren]

I don't like being accosted during davening.

[Zek]

Have any of you ever been to Shomrei on a Thursday morning? Somehow, that became meshulach day, and I get an average of 9-10 meshulachim approaching me during davening. The real chutzpah is that they also ask for money from the shaliach tzibur while he's davening.

average of 9-10!??!! seriously?

[Stanley]

Have any of you ever been to Shomrei on a Thursday morning? Somehow, that became meshulach day, and I get an average of 9-10 meshulachim approaching me during davening. The real chutzpah is that they also ask for money from the shaliach tzibur while he's davening.

average of 9-10!??!! seriously?

Sometimes even more, but yes, I'm serious.

[AlanLaz]

There is a lot of misinformation about these Mishulachim and their drivers.

The letters are not a formality and I have been told by a few reputable sources that R' Heinemann grants letters to approximately 1 out of every 3 people that comes to him.

Further, the drivers get 1/3, with a $20 max. So, for most donations, they get 1/3, but if someone wants to give $1,000, their driver is still only getting $20. These are the rules that have been explained to be my many mishulachim, but I haven't asked in the past year or so.

[HLC]

There is a lot of misinformation about these Mishulachim and their drivers.

The letters are not a formality and I have been told by a few reputable sources that R' Heinemann grants letters to approximately 1 out of every 3 people that comes to him.

Further, the drivers get 1/3, with a $20 max. So, for most donations, they get 1/3, but if someone wants to give $1,000, their driver is still only getting $20. These are the rules that have been explained to be my many mishulachim, but I haven't asked in the past year or so.

so what do you do with a meshulach with no letter?

[AlanLaz]

Usually give a little less than what I would normally. But, depends on the cause - a guy who needs to support his family may get a few more bucks than others. So, the letter is a strong factor, but not dispositive.

[Warren]

Usually give a little less than what I would normally. But, depends on the cause - a guy who needs to support his family may get a few more bucks than others. So, the letter is a strong factor, but not dispositive.

You leave for a year just to come back and converse in legalese?

[AlanLaz]

Hahaha, good call. I guess I wrong that other people use that word too. Guess I need to get out a little more.