United Jewish Communities, an umbrella group for Jewish social-service charities, criticized President Obama’s plan to cut the charitable-deduction rate, saying it would deter giving at a time when charities need it most.

“During the current economic downturn, which has forced nonprofits to do more with less, any proposal which would result in a decrease in private giving will be a disaster for America’s charities, and for those who depend upon them,” it said in a statement.

Suzanne Perry