28 Walter Jacob

Lithuanian Council in 1649, after the Cossack attacks, authorized communities to proceed with ransoming without consultation.” Medieval Jews were known for their readiness to ransom their coreligionists, and few remained in captivity for any length of time.

Details of the community of medieval Egypt provided by material found in the Cairo Genizah provide a picture of charitable efforts there from the ninth to the eleventh centuries. As so much material was preserved, we have a more thorough overview of charitable endeavors than available for any other community.» Many charitable foundations helped the poor; although this multiplicity was inefficient, it kept the sums in each foundation small enough to escape raiding by the government. The foundations as well as general appeals were broadly supported by numerous small donors as well as major contributors.>® The communities of Cairo, Fustad, and Alexandria also owned properties dedicated to poor relief(entitled kodesh). Often only a portion of the property was so designated, and this led to a rather complicated set of administrative tasks. The income was used for general communal purposes as well as poor relief** In Alexandria the main source of revenue for all social services was the communally regulated kosher slaughtering of animals Kupa remained as a source according to Goitein mainly because small coins were often unavailable, and gifts in kind were more easily arranged. Distribution regularly consisted of bread or wheat along with other food when possible. The resources were frequently overwhelmed, and the distributions were minimal. Communal planning was accomplished through pledging(named pesikah) during the High Holidays, with payments made on a weekly basis, often in connection with the Monday and Thursday synagogue services. In addition, pledges were obtained by visits to wealthy members of the community. Clothing was also distributed and lodging provided in houses owned by the communities.’ As poor and persecuted Jews sought refuge in Cairo and Fustad, charitable funds were also sent