Self-made billionaire Natie Kirsh told Ort UK's dinner that his charitable activities had been inspired by Maimonides.
The South African native, who has contributed to many of the education charity's programmes in 59 countries, was a guest of honour at Tuesday's dinner, held at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in Knightsbridge. Attended by more than 300 supporters, it raised in excess of £500,000.
His wider charity work has helped 14,000 people in Swaziland to start their own business and he has provided the funding for 700 start-ups in Israel.
"I came across a saying by Maimonides, which I placed in my wallet 40 years ago, that the highest form of tzedakah is to make a person self-reliant," the 83-year-old recalled. "It inspired me to give people fishing rods rather than fish."
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