Chesedname: I think I continued to keep track of what I owed, and I eventually was able to even everything out – but for a while I really had no expectation of ever being able to do so – it’s not easy – I consider myself very blessed that I am able to do this now, and I would never think poorly of someone who cannot –
Poster: the vast majority (I’d say about 95%) of my ma’aser stays within “the community,” with most in town, some to Israel, some to out-of-town places that have caught my eye – but I do give to the American Cancer Society and other medical research institutions because I have friends and family members who have benefited from the research these organizations do – I do not think that their care would have been less if my donation was not there, or that my donation will lead to the breakthrough (I’m not giving those millions) – but I do not feel right about taking advantage of their benefits without giving back, at least something – what does it say in Pirkei Avos – it’s not our place to complete the job, but we’re not exempt from trying, anyway –