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Danny Siegel is a renowned figure in Jewish philanthropic circles, the founder of the famed Ziv Tzedakah Fund and the author of 29 books, so he can't really think the world's problems can be solved by making one well-placed phone call, surfing one pertinent Web site, or sending off just one email. Right?

Actually, he does. Think of it as finding a trustworthy mechanic or computer repairman. If you know the right person to call, you can find one in a few minutes.

"The analogy is the same if you feed hungry people, do stuff for older people or help people with disabilities," Siegel said recently as he prepared for a weekend lecture series at the United Synagogue of Hoboken and Temple Beth El of Jersey City. "There are people doing great things and you start to learn who's who in that kind of world, then you can solve problems much more effectively."

That was just one of the nuggets Siegel imparted during a three-day tour of Hudson County that saw him deliver four talking sessions focused on social action, tzedakah, and the never-ending opportunity to contribute something -- anything -- for those less fortunate.

Siegel's appearance was part of USH's "My Jewish Neighborhood" series, a yearlong community effort sponsored by a $25,000 grant from the Legacy Heritage Innovation Project. It also marked one of the first collaborative efforts between two Hudson County synagogues -- the Conservative USH, the Reform Beth El -- to spur a stronger sense of Jewish community.

"The focus is on tikkun olam/social action," USH President Ken Schept wrote in an email, "ways that we can help each (other) to better our community and the world."

It's a mission familiar to Siegel, who found Ziv Tzedakah in 1981 after several trips to Israel. In the three decades since, Ziv has since distributed more than $10 million to charities. Siegel last year announced he was retiring from Ziv, but his speaking schedule -- which over the years has introduced him to more than 500 synagogues, Jewish federations and JCCs -- continues to keep him busy. He also continues to produce poetry, one of his favorite pastimes.

His goal these days is to show fellow Jews that giving to others doesn't mean giving up for one's self, although sacrifice for the good of the community is certainly a mitzvah of its own. But for those struggling in today's economy, simple actions have meaning, too.

"I want them to be able to realize that they have more power to change things than they thought they did with simple things," said Siegel, who lives in Maryland. "That doesn't mean you can't go to the movies, have fun, and goof off. One does not preclude the other."

In the current economic crisis, with stories of homeowners losing their properties and philanthropies struggling to raise money, Siegel wants people to look at how the country arrived at this point.

"One of the lessons learned is clearly that people are evaluating what greed is," Siegel said. "And they start thinking about what they really need. Once you're on the topic of need, you become much more conscious of the needs of other people."

Siegel has pushed people to bring a can of food to synagogue, or buy an extra jar of peanut butter at Costco that can be sent to Israel. Donate one of those old overcoats in the closet. Even a few dollars here and there donated to charity can be enough to make a difference, Siegel has preached.

"It's a matter of technique and mindset," he added.

The message was not lost on the dozens of people who cycled through Siegel's sessions, delivered with catchy titles like "Just exactly what do we want... to be when we grow up?" and "What's Jewish about social action."

"It's a demonstration of leadership by the local Jewish community," Schept wrote in an email. "To me, it illustrates how we are both restoring the physical home of the community, the Star of Israel and revitalizing its soul."