Their numbers might be small but Jewish donors have been making a significant difference in Catholic education in Boston. While they also support Jewish organizations most of them

are passionate about Catholic schools because they provide an excellent education to the neediest children.

“We like to get a good return on our investment,’’ [New England Patriots owner Robert] Kraft said of his family’s approach to philanthropy …

Jewish donors said they see their support for Catholic schools as an expression of Jewish values — promoting education, providing opportunity for the disadvantaged and new immigrants, and building institutions that benefit the community.

More than one person interviewed referenced the medieval Torah scholar Maimonides, who articulated eight levels of charitable giving, the most virtuous of which was to help another person become independent. [Howard Kessler, of The Kessler Group,] said he and his wife give to many schools, regardless of their religious affiliation, because they see education as a “great equalizer.’’

“It’s really attractive because it touches a couple of different things Jews tend to care about — number one, it touches the poorest of the poor . . . and it does it through education,’’ said Barry Shrage, president of Combined Jewish Philanthropies.