The Tzedakah Diaries - All Entries
2012-01-31 : “A Safe Place to Call Home”
Jan 31, 2012
A Safe Place to Call Home
Tania* was a Mom to four children, resourceful and dedicated to their well-being. She had also been a victim of domestic violence for more than 16 years. With the help of a city domestic violence agency she was finally able to secure a safe place to live in public housing and resume an independent life.
All was well until Tania ran into difficulties paying her rent and soon found herself in the midst of eviction. It was then that our friends, Liz and Bruce Gitlin, founders of the New York Center for Law and Justice, met Tania. The Center provides assistance to the New York indigent deaf and hard-of-hearing community, and with their help Tania was able to remain in her apartment. All was well until her former batterer discovered her location-Tania and her children had to quickly move in with a relative and forego their independence.
Determined to return to independent, safe living Tania worked hard to locate a new apartment which would be unknown to her batterer. Last December her dream was fulfilled as she and her family moved into a new apartment in a safe city neighborhood. When we heard Tania's story we were pleased that her life seemed to be turning around, but were stunned to hear that the family was sleeping on the floor with no furniture or other basic household items. Something needed to be done and with the help of our donors the Good People Fund immediately stepped in. Within a few days, our funds, along with the help of a generous storeowner, provided the family with beds, a couch, table and chairs and other household items.
Once again, small actions, do have huge impacts.
*Tania is a pseudonym
2012-01-26 : “Just a Freezer...”
Jan 26, 2012
Just a Freezer...
It is such an essential part of our work...using modest sums of money to make a world of difference--we see this every single day.
When Pam Koner from Family to Family called a few weeks ago, she reported that the Thoreau, New Mexico Navajo community that she works with had an opportunity to get more frozen and fresh food product at reduced prices (or even free), if they could come up with more refrigeration.
When you realize that unemployment in Thoreau stands far above 50% and the region's lack of paved roads and infrastructure, sub-standard housing and poor transportation, you just know that hunger is a huge problem here.
The Good People Fund's investment of only $700 purchased a large refrigeration unit which will bring more food, at lower cost, to this nearly forgotten community.
It was that easy.
2012-01-04 : “WE LOVE OUR NEW MACS!!”
Jan 04, 2012
WE LOVE OUR NEW MACS!!
Over the years, we have gotten beautiful notes of thanks from all of our programs--each warm and heartfelt. But--the email that just arrived from our friends at FoodForward really put a smile on our face. It is clear that Rick Nahmias>/strong>, the program's founder, and his cool staff really do love the new MACS that the Good People Fund provided in a recent grant.
We hope that lots more citrus fruit can be gleaned and shared with hungry people with the help of these new computers!
2012-01-02 : “The Wonders of Technology”
Jan 02, 2012
The Wonders of Technology
We are rarely surprised by the wonders of technology...how close we all are despite the physical distance that may separate us.
Nothing made this clearer than the following video which arrived in an email yesterday. It was only three weeks ago that we visited Zane Buzby,
the founder of Survivor Mitzvah Project in Los Angeles. In anticipation of her upcoming trip to Eastern Europe we gave Zane several thousand dollars to distribute to the many survivors she would visit on her journey.
Watch the following short video. I know that it brought tears to my eyes and chills down my spine. We agree that the woman Zane visited is an angel, but most definitely feel that Zane herself qualifies for that title as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO75nH4dFHs
2011-12-23 : “Kung Fu-Israeli Style”
Dec 23, 2011
Kung Fu-Israeli Style
The self defense program is very close to my heart, especially as Adina learns to ride the city buses going and coming from school. Being aware of what's going on around you and feeling confident as you move around is something many kids take for granted. Our teens need to learn how to interpret the world and how to handle the unexpected - that's what we're aiming for in our self defense courses.
The writer of this short note is Miriam Avraham, co-founder of Shutaf which provides inclusion programming for both special needs and typical kids in Jerusalem. Miriam was writing to us after we let her know that we had received a generous grant for Shutaf's self-defense project from the Lillian Fund out of the West Hartford Federation. This grant will cover the cost of self-defense sessions for the girls’ program while other funds will underwrite the boy’s sessions.
Why the need? In Israel, as in other countries, violence in school is on the rise. A significant number of kids do not feel safe while attending school and this is not limited to cases of bullying. Studies show that women with disabilities report twice the number of incidents of abuse than non-disabled women. How great that this grant (and additional funds) will empower the Shutaf kids, give them more self-confidence, make them aware of the dangers around them, learn to use physical and verbal signs to ward off impending danger and finally, teach them simple self-defense methods in the event of possible attack.
The Good People Fund is excited about making this connection and to be able to support this meaningful program.
2011-12-20 : “Great Bar(k )and Bat Mitzvah Projects”
Dec 20, 2011
Great Bar(k )and Bat Mitzvah Projects
We at HAMA received your incredible box of leashes and toys, and we have already put them to use. They are indeed a wonderful therapeutic contribution to HAMA's animals and people. It has taken some time to get this letter to you, because I was waiting for these pictures, so you could see your leashes and toys "at work"...If you look carefully you will see how much all our therapy dogs and kids enjoyed them.
Needless to say, the animals are delighted by their new toys and leashes, and I was overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness and creativity. You guys really did a spectacular mitzvah on our behalf!
Avshalom
As you can see from this letter, there is no end to the creativity kids come up with when they are planning their Bar/Bat Mitzvah projects.
The Good People Fund works with many young people and one young woman who we recently spoke with loved animals. When we shared the meaningful work of Avshalom Beni and HAMA (Humans and Animals in Mutual Assistance-Israel) she knew immediately that this was a program that she wanted to help.
HAMA provides animal-assisted therapy to people with many different types of problems. The "co-therapists" are actually dogs and even some cats, many of whom have experienced abuse themselves.
Looks like this "therapist" is quite satisfied with the new toys.
2011-12-19 : “Holiday Bike Mitzvahs”
Dec 19, 2011
Holiday Bike Mitzvahs
Naomi,
I am so glad that you too are busy. This means some very good things are happening. Yesterday we gave out just under 800 bicycles, it was so wonderful. We will give out the balance during this week and then start all over again.
The Miami Guatemala Lions Club came up to help. They brought some breakfast snacks, coffee, chocolate and pan. It was a great relief. While here they also performed free Diabetes Screening...
We will be very happy to receive the much needed check from you and thank you so very much for your help.
Jack Hairston
This short email just arrived from Jack the Bikeman (Jack Hairston) down in West Palm Beach, Florida. When we realized that the donation the Good People Fund promised had not yet been mailed, we wanted to be sure he knew it was on its way. This is Jack's busy season as he gives away hundreds of newly refurbished bikes to the neighborhood's migrant kids. All of the repairs have been completed by volunteers and also local youth who are learning a new skill.
Imagine 800 excited kids on their new bikes!
2011-12-16 : “It Was All Because of Scout”
Dec 16, 2011
It Was All Because of Scout
Rick Nahmias loved walking Scout, his "senior" Labrador retriever, through his Los Angeles neighborhood. He had been doing it for years, but now that Scout was beginning to show his age, the walks were a whole lot slower...and with that slower pace there was more of an opportunity to take in the scenery. It was on one of those walks that Rick suddenly noticed not only the abundance of fruit trees that dotted his neighbors' yards, but also the vast amount of fruit that had dropped to the ground. In Southern California almost everyone has citrus trees -oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons and more.
With such a lush picture in front of him, Rick's thoughts turned to this enormous quantity of healthy food and how much of it goes to waste since so many homeowners either cannot use it all themselves, or cannot harvest it on their own. Wouldn't that fresh fruit be a welcome addition to the other items distributed by local pantries and food banks? Wouldn't hungry people enjoy and benefit from the healthy produce?
Rick's epiphany led him to start Food Forward, a young organization that matches volunteers with private property owners who invite the group to come and harvest the fruit. Food Forward's website provides a list of upcoming pickings and complete instructions on how to sign up to help.
Since beginning this work in 2009, Food Forward has gleaned more than 640,000 pounds of juicy fruit (and even tomatoes, lettuce and other healthy food from time to time) which is distributed to more than 25 local agencies. In the process, volunteers are providing not only sustenance but also "coming together as a community to learn about urban hunger, food waste and food justice."
As we sat at lunch with Rick last week during our LA visit, we were struck by many things - Rick is clearly thoughtful, dedicated to this work, a humanist and quite skilled as a young non-profit leader (he is actually a professional photographer by training.) His plans for Food Forward are smart and deliberate and he often remarked that he wants to build this organization slowly and thoughtfully so that it will both endure and be effective. With his young team of creative volunteers and (mostly) part-time staff we have no doubt that this is a program that will grow and flourish in the not-so-distant future.(And perhaps be replicated in other areas with similar climate and abundance?)
The Good People Fund's grant will allow Food Forward to do just that and we could not be happier. Thank you, Scout!
2011-12-12 : “Connections! Connections!”
Dec 12, 2011
Connections! Connections!
Hi, Naomi.
I just received the loveliest phone call from Merril Nash's 4th grade religious school students.
They called to tell me that they had selected Reading Village for their tzedakah project.
And they were so sweet and articulate and clear-minded about why they were inspired to work with us and what they hope to achieve.
I was touched and impressed. It really made my day.
Thanks, again, for spreading the word about us to those in your community.
Linda
We just love to connect our good people with eager and mitzvah-directed religious school students and that is what just happened between Linda Smith, founder of Reading Village and the students at Beth El in Pittsburgh. The students had been discussing their tzedakah allocation and they loved the work that Reading Village does promoting literacy among kids in Guatemala. After voting was in, three programs were selected; Reading Village being one of the kids' choices. Through the wonders of technology, with only a few clicks the kids, sitting in their classroom, connected with Linda out in snowy Colorado.
Great decision, for sure!
2011-12-11 : “Seeing is Believing”
Dec 11, 2011
Seeing is Believing
No matter how long I have known about their work and shared their story with our readers, nothing quite prepared me for the time I spent this past week with the Bagel Brigade volunteers in Los Angeles. Started by the late Herman Berman, Brigade volunteers scour local supermarkets and bakeries each day collecting day old breads and pastries which are in turn quickly retrieved by dozens of local social service agencies and schools and distributed to hungry people throughout the area.
My first morning in LA found us at the Van Nuys COSTCO parking lot at 7am. (To say that only the birds would be in the lot that early would not be an understatement...they were there, too.) Within fifteen minutes three volunteers drove up, popped their trunks and quickly filled cart after cart with bags of bagels, croissants, pastries, artisan breads...even a sheet cake decorated with roses and waiting for a birthday message. No sooner did those volunteers (retirees and students) pull away than three more vehicles appeared, each from a separate agency, to retrieve the food. As we spoke to the agency representatives we quickly learned that the Brigade's work was critical to their own and without this product they would have a difficult time providing food for their clients.
Knowing that this scenario is played out seven days a week and that there are more than 1.7 million hungry people in LA with 6.5 million being "hunger insecure", only reinforces the importance of this small and efficient program run entirely by volunteers.
We hope that the Good People Fund's matching grant will bring them even more funds to continue their work.
2011-12-09 : “ We Do Pick Winners!”
Dec 09, 2011
We Do Pick Winners!
After almost twenty years of searching for the most amazing good people who are working to better our world you get a sixth sense when you find one that you just know will soar given the right nurturing and attention.
That was the case when we met Gary Oppenheimer, founder of AmpleHarvest.org. Gary's efforts to end hunger in this country starts with registering all of the country's food pantries and soup kitchens in his online database. To date, more than 4700 (a third) such agencies have signed on as the numbers change daily.
In just a few years AmpleHarvest.org has gained national attention, despite its incredibly low operating costs and minimal staff. So, it was no surprise to us when Gary sent us an email yesterday with the above photo attached.
We hope Gary enjoys his White House visit and thank him for proving us right!
2011-11-30 : “When Something Good Comes From Bad”
Nov 30, 2011
When Something Good Comes From Bad
For many of us, nothing in the news has been more disturbing than the scandal coming out of Penn State. Our friend, Rabbi Adam Feldman of the Princeton (NJ)Jewish Center, spoke of that tragedy a few weeks ago during his Shabbat sermon. Rabbi Feldman reminded his congregation of "how people in authority need to be responsible for their actions especially when they have the lives of young people in their hands."
Sitting in the pews that morning was Gil Gordon, a congregant who accompanied Rabbi Feldman and others on an Israel trip a few years ago. For that trip we arranged a meeting with Yitz Feigenbaum who co-runs Beit Hayeled, the group home that provides safe haven and love for kids removed from abusive homes by the court system. The Princeton community has interacted with Beit Hayeled on other occasions but Gil felt that one very powerful antidote to the tragedy of Penn State would be to tell the entire congregation about Beit Hayeled's beautiful work with abused kids and request donations for Hanukkah gifts for the kids.
This morning we heard from Rabbi Feldman who shared this story as well as the good news that his congregants had contributed more than $3500 to the effort. As he wrote, "With Chanukah approaching, we have an excellent opportunity to make life a bit brighter for these fragile children whose lives are being put back in order at Bet HaYeled."
We could not agree more! Yasher koach to everyone at Princeton Jewish Center. The Good People Fund is pleased to act as the shaliach in this very special tzedakah mission.
2011-11-23 : “Remembering Why We are Thankful”
Nov 23, 2011
Remembering Why We are Thankful
Another morning, another phone call...
The military advocate who called this morning was at first hesitant as she shared her story. Perhaps she doubted that we would be able to help, despite a mutual contact who urged her to call...The story she shared was of a retired decorated soldier who sustained serious injuries in Iraq when a grenade bounced off his tank and fell into the turret, killing one soldier and wounding him and two others. After extensive treatment for his injuries which included traumatic brain injury and PTSD, our soldier opted to leave the military and embark upon a civilian life. By all accounts, things were reasonably stable, despite the long-standing effects of his injuries...until now. Recently his personal life began to fall apart (not an unusual result of such serious war injuries) and our contact reported that this retired soldier had no heat in his home. With an outstanding balance owed the fuel company and limited funds it looked as if he would spend the snowy Western winter without heat. When we called the fuel company they promised that if the new delivery was paid for, they would deliver today to insure a warm Thanksgiving holiday for the family. Thanks to our generous donors the Good People Fund was able to cover the cost of a new tank of propane which should provide four months of heat for this dedicated veteran.
2011-11-22 : “Sure Beats Turkey”
Nov 22, 2011
Sure Beats Turkey
It's those early morning calls that really inspire us and make us work even harder on behalf of our many good people, quietly going about their business changing lives for the better.
This morning's call came from Ranya Kelly, founder of the Redistribution Center in Colorado. Ranya's organization has rescued, since its founding, over 700,000 pairs of new shoes and millions of dollars worth of brand new, perfectly usable clothing, bedding, food, building supplies and more from local and national retail outlets. What was destined for a landfill is now filling the needs of impoverished people not only in the Denver area but also other parts of the United States.
Ranya wanted to check in before Thanksgiving to say thank you for what we do for her and her work. She casually mentioned that yesterday she got a call from a local meat purveyor that was going out of business. If she could get to them, she was welcome to 7 pallets of fresh meat...steaks, roasts--all normally sold to the finest restaurants.
Needless to say, Ranya rented a truck, picked up the meat and delivered it to local agencies that distribute food to hungry people. Ranya says that fresh meat is as difficult to come by as fresh produce--a welcome gift.
2011-11-20 : “A Wise Investment-Update”
Nov 20, 2011
A Wise Investment-Update
Last month we shared the story of Eli* and Isaac*, one of the "pairs" arranged by Big Brothers, Big Sisters Israel. Isaac is a young Ethiopian boy being raised by a single Mom. Despite many learning difficulties he is smart, positive and charismatic. When tested, it was apparent that dyslexia was causing his school difficulties. With Eli's (his big brother) support and regular tutoring everyone hoped that Isaac would overcome the disability and succeed in school.
When the Good People Fund committed to funding a tutor we too hoped that changes would come. We never expected the great news we received this morning when Eli wrote to give us an update...
I'm glad to inform you that Isaac started the year with great progress, and his school is starting a process of fully integrating him in a regular class. I can tell you, that just two years ago in his previous school his teacher told me she doesn't believe this will ever happen, but apparently, the teachers he has now believe a regular class is the place for him to be. I understand that a few of his teachers actually wondered what exactly is he doing in a "special needs class", and so it seems that the time has come for Isaac's integration.
Isaac is very excited and proud of himself of this accomplishment. Personally I will make sure this integration will happen carefully in order to make sure it will succeed.
I have always believed Isaac should be in a regular class, but I have no doubt that your support had a lot to do with Isaac's improvement and the school's decision. Eli
Saving lives, one at a time...it's what we do best.
*pseudonyms
2011-11-15 : “Sleepless in Seattle”
Nov 15, 2011
Sleepless in Seattle
There is nothing better than getting away from our desk and meeting one of our "good people" on their home turf. Our quick trip to Seattle was a chance to meet Jeannie Jaybush from Baby Corner. Despite working with her for years we had never actually met. We were not disappointed. Jeannie and her associate Liz could not have been more welcoming, and seeing the endless rows of baby supplies--clothing, diapers, toys, baby equipment and more confirmed for us what an amazing resource this tiny organization is for needy families in Seattle. While there, not only did Jeannie share story after story about the people they help, but a visit by one of the local public health nurses, coming to pick up some diapers and other baby equipment, confirmed what a valuable role Baby Corner plays in the community.
The shoes in this picture were part of more than 500 boxes of beautiful kids' sneakers which Jeannie was able to retrieve from a local store that went out of business and were left by the side of the building. The landlord gave Jeannie a few hours to get them before they went into a dumpster.
Lots of very stylish little feet are sporting these high end sneakers today!
2011-11-13 : “A Clever Idea”
Nov 13, 2011
A Clever Idea
Gary Oppenheimer from AmpleHarvest.org just sent us a short newsletter which included a meaningful idea for next week's Thanksgiving celebration. For those of you who will be hosting, why not forgo the traditional flowers for your table and, instead, make an attractive centerpiece of seasonal fruits and veggies which you can then bring to your local food pantry or soup kitchen after your feast is over.
Gary's web site, http://www.ampleharvest.org/find-pantry.php, has a complete database of local pantries across the country. We are sure they would love to have your donation so that others who are less fortunate will benefit from the healthy food.
2011-11-08 : “Finally!”
Nov 08, 2011
Finally!
Nothing makes us happier than to finally finish writing our annual report and see it in its finished state. There is a spontaneous joy knowing that our particular tzedakah model not only works but also changes the lives of so many people as we go about our work. Thank you to everyone who helps make this all possible.
Start reading, be inspired and join us in this special tikkun olam work.
http://goodpeoplefund.org/assets/dyn/pdf/report-whole-single-pages.pdf
2011-10-26 : “Eviction!”
Oct 26, 2011
Eviction!
Lisa F. is a single Mom. She works hard at a good steady job and earns a bit below what is considered median income in this country. The fact that she lives in one of New York City's five boroughs certainly explains, in part, why that income does not always cover her needs. She's bright, independent and self-sustaining...and also profoundly deaf.
About a year ago the stable, well-ordered life Lisa had built started to unravel when she incurred extra expenses for childcare. Consumer credit cards, something she always managed carefully, took a hit and then she fell behind in her rent.
We learned about Lisa from Liz and Bruce Gitlin, founders of the New York Center for Law and Justice. Bruce, an attorney, and Liz, a social worker, began the Center in 2010 to help the New York indigent deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Working together with the Gitlins, it soon became apparent that there was no extra money to be found in Lisa's already lean budget. Despite many legal maneuvers, this morning Lisa received what she had always feared...an eviction notice.
When Liz Gitlin called us at 3:30 this afternoon and shared this story we knew
we could help. A Good People Fund check for $1885 is on the way to New York and Lisa and her daughter will no longer live with the threat of eviction and homelessness. We hope our donors who make these kinds of things possible, realize just how important their tzedakah is and how many lives it really does save.
Postscript: Liz just called with the most amazing story about what happened when she told Lisa that the rent was being paid by an anonymous donor and that she would no longer need to worry about eviction. With the help of an interpreter, Lisa slowly explained the situation. Lisa's face did not change--it was clear that the message was not getting through...was it the word "anonymous"? They tried again. Suddenly, the message did get through and this deaf woman's eyes grew wide with understanding. Unable to utter words, only sounds came forth, but it was clear that these were sounds of joy. Liz then called Lisa's daughter and explained what had happened, the interpreter signing the conversation for Lisa at the same time. When Lisa heard her daughter's screams and laughter, she too broke into tears of happiness and relief...a mother now certain that she could keep her family safe and out of harm's way.
It was a good day.
2011-10-18 : “Bringing Gilad Home”
Oct 18, 2011
Bringing Gilad Home
We awoke In the very early morning hours and recalled that this was the day that Gilad Shalit was to be released. We wondered if it would really happen and then this email from Phyllis Heimowitz who founded the Amuta (Non-Profit) for the Emotional Support of Fiancees and Girlfriends of Fallen Soldiers popped up on our screen. The organization provides emotional support to women (and occasional men) who have lost their loved one in an IDF-related incident. The emotional support comes in the form of weekly group therapy, as well as shared social engagements where the unique bonds that join each of these bereaved people are strengthened. Phyllis' email provided not only a poignant back story to what was taking place in Israel today, but also emphasized the organization's importance in repairing lives shattered by loss.
It is 5:45 AM. I am up since about 5 AM because my mind is full of thoughts. All of Israel is waking up today and ... their first thoughts are of Gilad, who is being released today after more than 5 years in captivity...
...I want to tell you about the Amuta's connection to the Shalit story and what we, Rina, Tamar and I did to save two lives. Yes, I really mean that. We had a part in saving two lives. On June 25, 2006, Hamas terrorists from Gaza, managed to attack an IDF tank in Israeli territory. In the tank were 4 soldiers. Two of the soldiers were killed: Hanan Barak and Pavel Slotzker. Gilad was taken alive to Gaza...
Hanan was the officer in charge of the tank... Hanan left behind a girlfriend, O. , a sweet, sweet, gentle girl. She totally crashed... She was brought to Rina's home by Hanan's parents and Hanan's sister, A. She was totally dependent on Hanan. She never believed that she would survive. She entered our Support Group and we were in constant touch with her. I called her yesterday and I told her that we in the Amuta were with her during these wonderful and terrible times...O. is getting married on Dec. 21 and we will be at the wedding. She wants to go to see Gilad and his family and to invite them to the wedding too, as Gilad was very close to Hanan. These are the things that you don't read about in the newspaper. Last night Yitz and I saw an interview with O. on TV.
Pavel, an immigrant from Russia, was the second soldier killed. He left behind his beloved girlfriend A., also an immigrant from the USSR. A. is a delicate, petite, lovely young woman, who wants to be a midwife so that she can bring new life into the world... A. also entered our Support Group. The Amuta helped her in so many ways. We were always in touch with her...She too has a boyfriend now.
The Amuta was crucial in helping these two young women piece together their broken lives and to go on. This is the aim of the Amuta.
2011-10-10 : “It's A Small World After All”
Oct 10, 2011
It's A Small World After All
A call just came in from Linda Smith at Reading Village and it was just what we love to hear...
As we have reported before, Reading Village works in small Guatemalan villages developing an environment where reading is important and encouraged. To effect this change, they form leadership groups of middle and high school students who act as mentors to younger children, reading with them and encouraging them to succeed. The program also provides scholarships for the leadership group as well as free books for local institutions and groups. With the ability to read, these kids will have many more opportunities for self-sufficiency and independence than their parents ever had.
Linda's voice was excited as she shared that her mailman had just delivered a package of the most beautiful bookmarks (and we think you will agree) that were made by the students at Temple Har Shalom in Warren, NJ. She knows that this package will be the first thing she puts in her suitcase for her upcoming trip to Guatemala.
Imagine...Hebrew school kids in New Jersey, connecting so thoughtfully with a group of Mayan children learning to read in remote areas of Guatemala...it truly is an olam katan...a small world after all.
2011-10-04 : “A Wise Investment”
Oct 04, 2011
A Wise Investment
His name is Isaac* and now, twelve years old, he is first beginning to "blossom". Isaac is an Israeli-born Ethiopian whose mother traveled through the deserts of Sudan to eventually reach Israel. It was after she arrived that Isaac was born and his parents divorced.
We learned about Isaac from Libby Reichman of Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Israel. Libby is always a great resource for us when we want to use some of the tzedakah our donors send to us to help a child get ahead. Libby shared that Isaac's mom is loving and supportive but the family has few resources and Isaac has no man in his life to help guide him. In school he was doing poorly because of a serious reading problem which had not yet been identified.
When Libby found a young man who wanted to become Isaac's "big brother" things began to change for him. While Eli*, his "big" offered Isaac many fun activities like swimming and movies, he also recognized that Isaac was smart, positive and charismatic but needed much direction if he was to succeed in life. Eli and Libby worked together on getting Isaac tested and discovered that he had a serious learning disability (dyslexia) which was hampering his school success. Once the problem was identified Eli arranged for a friend to begin tutoring him. Eli and Isaac also built a desk so that Isaac could study in a proper place and soon a computer was located to further help his academic progress.
When we learned about Isaac and his tutoring needs we thought that this could be a tremendous tzedakah investment that would pay great dividends. So, in addition to Isaac's apparent skills in hip-hop dance, he is also becoming a great student with the tutoring that the Good People Fund and their amazing partners-in-tzedakah at Wilshire Boulevard Temple Religious School are now underwriting.
*a pseudonym
2011-09-28 : “Apples and Honey 2011”
Sep 28, 2011
Apples and Honey 2011
As we all prepare for the upcoming New Year that will (hopefully) include several sumptuous meals with friends and family, we are pleased to share the following short messages we just received from some of the many people both here and in Israel who allocated our donated supermarket scrip to needy families and individuals that they work with. More than $10,000 was donated to help with food costs this holiday season. We are so grateful to all of our donors who make this possible. It does feel good!
Dear Naomi,
Here is the breakdown of how the scrip was distributed. Hopefully the holidays will be a little easier for them, thanks to your help.
Family Mraga: 1,000
Family Benshalom: 1,500nis
Tzippora: 1,000
Our contact, GL (Shimon, Liat and one other family): 3,000
Family Levin: 500
Risa Benami: 740
Ripkin: 1,000
Karyn
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Naomi
Thank you for your very, very generous support.
The 6,560 NIS is providing essential help in sustenance for these families. In deepest gratitude for this wonderful Holiday Mitzvah,
Avshalom
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
My dear Naomi,
... I received the scrip and I am so grateful that I can give out this money to the few girlfriends that really need a financial helping hand. There is one girlfriend, married now, who actually doesn't have enough money to buy food. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Phyllis
2011-09-26 : “Chicks and Ducks and Geese and...Blueberries”
Sep 26, 2011
Chicks and Ducks and Geese and...Blueberries
Naomi,
I watched the video of that young boy fighting for human rights. Very very touching and inspiring.
I wanted to give you an update. Last month we hired on 3 disabled combat veterans, and this month we are planning on hiring 2 more. On the farm we now have blueberries, chickens, guineas, goats, turkeys, bees, datil peppers and this Friday we are digging a pond to grow tilapia fish. It's amazing to see the changes in these veterans.
For an update on pictures and videos please see our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000882342352#!/profile.php?id=100000882342352
Have a great day!
Regards,
Adam
Nothing makes us happier than hearing from Adam Burke, the founder and inspiration behind Veterans Farm in Florida. Adam, a vet who returned to this country with serious injuries, including PTSD, recalled how much farming meant to him as he was growing up on a blueberry farm. Couldn't others returning from war with both physical and emotional disabilities gain a renewed sense of purpose by working outside, tilling the earth, planting, harvesting?
It seems that Adam's efforts have taken off as Veterans Farm expands its work.
We could not be happier to be part of this truly lifesaving effort. Think of it the next time you enjoy a bowl of blueberries!
2011-09-08 : “A Story Worth Hearing”
Sep 08, 2011
A Story Worth Hearing
We just learned that Randi Cairns and her organization, Home Front Hearts will be featured on PBS's Need to Know series this Friday evening. Randi's experiences as the wife of a thrice-deployed soldier inspired her to begin Home Front Hearts which works to provide support and resources to the families of service members, as well as increase public awareness of the unique problems military families face while encouraging community response to those difficulties.
The Good People Fund has worked closely with Randi and her (mostly) volunteer staff. We know that it is their own personal experiences as military wives that guide them as they help other service families overcome the many problems associated with military service.
Here are two brief clips from the piece being broadcast Friday evening--well worth matching:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/video-military-families-struggle-with-the-war-at-home/11389/
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/video-supporting-military-families-home-front-hearts/11355/
2011-09-07 : “Another Chance to Age in Place”
Sep 07, 2011
Another Chance to Age in Place
The Good People Fund...once again has intervened in order to turn-around the life of an 85-year old whose challenges, including serious health issues, were insurmountable...on her own! You...joined hands with (LiLY) Morningside Village volunteers as we turned the tide through revitalizing her apartment. Your help paid for the services of someone who was hired to do a thorough cleaning of Lydia's* large apartment, and for some basic cleaning supplies...
The tone in Lydia's voice is now completely different. She keeps thanking us for the great weight of financial woes that was lifted from her shoulders during a time when depression had taken over. And, she has asked us to thank you at the Good People Fund from the bottom of her heart, so that she maintains her anonymity. We of the LILY Morningside Village project will do the best we can to see that she receives the support she needs to keep herself on the upside of home management, but we also send along our heartfelt thanks in making our "clean sweep" effort a reality for Lydia, as for others.
*a pseudonym
Irene Zola, founder of the New York-based LiLY-Lifeforce in Later Years just wrote us this lovely note and we could not be happier knowing that our funds allowed another elder to remain at home living independently. With LiLY volunteers stepping in to visit and interact with the area's elders in helpful ways, we know that many other "Lydia's" will enjoy the comforts of their own home as they age.
2011-08-17 : “What One Community is Doing to Help Combat Hunger”
Aug 17, 2011
What One Community is Doing to Help Combat Hunger
Over the summer we learned about some great work being done by Temple Sholom of Aberdeen (NJ) led by its inspiring social action committee. Two specific projects address just how one congregation can impact hunger in the local community.
In addition to their award-winning community garden which is run in partnership with a local church and provides nutritious fresh fruits and veggies to the local food pantry, Temple Sholom members have just instituted a Back Pack Buddy Program to begin in a few weeks. When the group learned that there were families in a nearby elementary school that had difficulty providing their children with sufficient healthy meals, they decided to begin the back pack program to help meet this need. When the program begins, ten children will be selected by the school staff to receive a pack each Friday filled with healthy snacks and easy meals to supplement their weekend nutrition. With Lou, Lenore and Helene at the helm and various segments of the congregation taking responsibility for aspects of the effort, what could be a time-consuming project seems to be working beautifully.
When we met with Lou and Helene the Good People Fund offered a matching grant to get the program jump-started and we were thrilled with how our seed money propelled the effort. We just learned that all funds have been raised and, if all goes smoothly, the group will re-evaluate their efforts mid-year and possibly add even more kids to the list.
Simple. One small community making a difference. How many more could do the same?
2011-08-15 : “72 Hours”
Aug 15, 2011
72 Hours
Naomi,
I am sitting at home thinking about the last 3 days and I am brought to tears (for about the 5th time today) at the love that has been shown by you and your friends... by coming here and by letting us know that there are people that DO care and realize that we are human and not just a "bunch of dumb hillbillies" and for that, I thank you.
... I will tell you that the only items left in the center at @ 6:00 tonight were a few cans of tomato juice. I had so many people ask me to tell you "THANK YOU" that this helps them so very much. This one young lady came in at the end of the day and we had a half of box of cosmetics left that I actually was getting ready to throw out because it was all broken, and she came in and starting going through the box and I watched her eyes light up like a child on Christmas morning...I told her just to take the box home with her and she kept saying are you sure you don't mind, I can really have this? I assured her it was fine so she left with some food, a little make-up and a HUGE SMILE....I had another cry...
All of our love,
Everett & Susie
The writer, Susie Duncan, was our contact in McRoberts, Kentucky where a group of 38 volunteers representing Congregation Shaarei Shomayim in Lancaster, PA, Congregation B'nai Israel in Millburn, NJ and others from New York, Ohio and California, just completed a 3 day humanitarian trip to this isolated small town in southeast Kentucky. Despite the community's poverty, isolation, and ongoing drug problems the residents of McRoberts are proud and hospitable people. We were served home made lunches, replete with an abundance of home-grown veggies, homemade cookies and cakes, and packages of peanut butter fudge for everyone of us for our journey home!
For the Good People Fund this was our 4th interaction with McRoberts and most definitely the largest, most complicated endeavor yet. In two and a half days of labor in the heat and humidity (and an occasional torrential downpour) our group:
Provided and offloaded a 53' trailer filled with donated food;
Delivered school supplies, 5 boxes of shoes, books for the elementary school, musical instruments, paint, sox, new underwear;
Ran a 2 day after-school camp featuring lollipop making, story-telling and other fun activities;
Delivered and completed construction of a large bookcase and a sand table-water table which would allow the school's pre-school program to receive state certification; and
Rehabbed five residents' homes including painting, replacement of original windows and doors with energy efficient models to cut down on utility costs, constructed a new deck and more.
Despite the logistical challenges, poor cell reception and limited dining options all participants, from the most hard-working teens to our 70 year old, agreed that nothing could compare to the satisfaction everyone felt as we wrapped up our work and headed out.
Check out the local TV station coverage of our work: http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/The_Good_People_Fund_Helping_EKY_127331923.html
2011-08-13 : “Lemonade for Tzedakah”
Aug 13, 2011
Lemonade for Tzedakah
As things were winding down tonight we were pleased to receive an email from Brad Rothschild, a friend and NY-based documentarian who traveled with us to Kentucky this past week to learn more about the area and film some of the local residents we know there.
Brad shared that his children, Jordan, Talia and Mia (11 and under), after hearing about his trip, decided to set up a lemonade stand today near their upper Manhattan home. As you can see from the sign, the proceeds from their efforts were directed to The Good People Fund. We've just written to them and shared that we will use their tzedakah to help some of the kids in McRoberts, KY where life is challenging at best.
Not a bad way at all to end a pretty amazing week. Thank you Jordan, Talia and Mia!
2011-08-04 : “So Much More Than an Ample Harvest”
Aug 04, 2011
So Much More Than an Ample Harvest
"We are having an incredibly bountiful harvest this year, so much more than we can eat or give away. Thank goodness we found Ample Harvest! We have donated about 40 pounds of cucumbers, zucchini, squash in the past four days, plus cuttings from our mint, oregano, and basil plants. We expect the tomatoes to take off soon as well, and we will add them to the bags for the food pantry. We are thrilled to be able to donate these delicious fresh veggies, and hope that the people who receive it enjoy them."
When Gary Oppenheimer began AmpleHarvest.org back in 2009 he envisioned just what this Maryland gardener's quote describes. Since beginning, Gary estimates that more than 700,000 pounds of produce has been donated to more than 4100 food pantries and soup kitchen's across the country.
Read what the White House's blog describing Michelle Obama's Let's Move!
program has to say about Gary and his ingenious creation:
http://www.letsmove.gov/blog/2011/08/04/let%E2%80%99s-move-faith-and-communities-inspires-fresh-produce-100-food-pantries
2011-07-31 : “Imagining a Book”
Jul 31, 2011
Imagining a Book
"If it weren't for Reading Village I would not be here. I would be in the field carrying heavy loads of vegetables."
To Linda Smith, founder of Reading Village, this simple statement coming from a young boy who is part of her innovative reading program in Guatemala, is like music to her ears.
It was only a few years ago when Linda lost her job (along with so many others) that the idea for Reading Village was born. Trying to get her bearings and think about the future, Linda traveled to Guatemala - for her, a serene place filled with smiling kids. As she walked around and spoke to the children she met, she asked, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" In most cases, the only response she got was a blank stare. Most kids growing up in Guatemala have very little; they are surrounded by profound poverty and little reason to hope that things might change. When Linda came upon a tiny local library where a group of kids were learning to read, she noticed the difference immediately...kids who know how to read can dream about what might be and it is the "dreaming" piece that actually helps change reality.
Reading Village works in small villages developing an environment where reading is important and encouraged. To effect this change, they form leadership groups of middle and high school students who act as mentors to younger children, reading with them and encouraging them to succeed. The program also provides scholarships for the leadership group as well as free books for local institutions and groups.
The Good People Fund was excited about providing funds for the purchase of new books - imagine the wonder in those young eyes when they can actually read about Peter Pan or James and the Giant Peach!
Reading Village has also developed a meaningful Hanukkah program, suitable for Jewish educators and families. Check it out:
http://www.readingvillage.org/light-up-literacy.html
2011-07-29 : “On Pins and Needles”
Jul 29, 2011
On Pins and Needles
While recently in Uganda, the Trainees related many breathtaking stories...how their acupuncture treatments led to a significant reduction in size and pain from grossly enlarged spleens, a condition previously untreatable. ...another spoke of one of his AIDS patients who, because of his acupuncture treatments, was once again able to walk... And another described how his treatments greatly reduced the severity and frequency of epileptic seizures.
This brief note came to us from Richard Mandell, a Boston-based licensed acupuncturist, a few months ago. Richard founded PAAP, The Pan African Acupuncture Project, in 2003. For people living in remote corners of the world where traditional medicine is limited or even non-existent, diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, or TB are daily realities. With the dearth of modern medicine available, alternative choices can be true life-savers and it was this problem that Richard chose to address when he began PAAP. PAAP's volunteer acupuncturists have trained more than 200 healthcare workers, primarily in Uganda, to use acupuncture's miraculous techniques in the treatment of these diseases.
Richard estimates that since beginning, more than 50 trainers, a number of whom have volunteered multiple times, have provided approximately 17,000 treatments each year-a very impressive number.
The Good People Fund offered of a $6000 matching grant to expand this amazing work and we were thrilled when Richard reported that his donors responded enthusiastically to the challenge.
2011-07-14 : “We Sure Can Pick 'Em”
Jul 14, 2011
We Sure Can Pick 'Em
What a great surprise it was to just learn that Holly Hirshberg, founder of the San Antonio-based Dinner Garden has just been named a CNN Hero. We met Holly this past Spring (and wrote about her and Dinner Garden here in the Diary on May 17, 2011) and were excited to learn about her efforts to end hunger in this country. Holly has proven that people can help feed themselves and others by growing their own fruits and vegetables. Dinner Garden has distributed seeds and gardening information to thousands of people across the country and also facilitated more than 150 community gardens. A recent Good People Fund grant allowed Holly to mail out almost 5000 packets of seeds to home gardeners in several states. Congratulations Holly!
With Holly's recognition as the latest CNN Hero, she joins the ranks of several other Good People Fund programs which include Gary Oppenheimer from AmpleHarvest.org, Pam Koner, founder of Family to Family and Irene Zola, founder of our newest grantee, LILY-Lifeforce in Later Years.
Not a bad track record at all! We wonder who will be next.
Check out the CNN clip on Holly and her work: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/14/cnnheroes.hirshberg.seeds/
2011-07-13 : “Survivors We Have Forgotten”
Jul 13, 2011
Survivors We Have Forgotten
Zane Buzby, founder of Survivor Mitzvah Project was recently in touch to let us know that she had met her goal of raising matching funds for a grant we offered her program. The Good People Fund match will help make it possible for Zane to once again visit elderly survivors in Eastern Europe next winter. All of these elders live in extreme poverty, isolated, sick and lonely. Zane's visits are nothing less than a life-saving injection of hope and compassion as she makes her way from village to village bringing modest funds, small gifts and her amazing personality.
Nothing can quite tell Zane's story better than this recently completed video. It is an amazing story...stop and watch...you will be moved. http://youtu.be/bJLRKA2VhAY
2011-07-12 : “You Never Know...”
Jul 12, 2011
You Never Know...
You never know where a conversation will end up. We spend so much time each day speaking to people all over the country. Many want to learn more about our work and some even want advice on how they can make a difference in their own communities. In truth, that is one of our primary reasons for sharing our "good people" stories...to inspire others to do the same, in their own way, in their own community.
About a year ago, Stacy Kamisar from Weston, CT was one of those callers. Stacy wanted to do something in her community... the question was what? We discussed several ideas and after some time Stacy decided that working with books was meaningful and could truly change lives.
We were not surprised when the following email arrived recently. Stacy has succeeded in every way. Today, local individuals and families are supporting the program in many ways including the donation of new books in lieu of Bar/Bat Mitzvah or birthday gifts. Read on...I know that we are inspired! Who knows what may come next?
Hi Naomi - I am thrilled to tell you that in the one year since we first spoke, I have finally gotten my books project up and running, and I have to credit you for the inspiration. After reading about all the work done by people you have met through the Good People Fund, I decided that our Westport UJA/Federation needed to do more to impact our local community. With NO budget, relying on the kindness of donated time and expertise, we have secured storage space, set up a website, formed an advisory committee and are finally ready to start serving beneficiary organizations in Connecticut that are in need of books. Please visit our website...www.books2connect.org and let me know your thoughts.
I can't thank you enough for inspiring me to make this happen. I think we can have a very positive impact and I will keep you posted as to our progress.
Yasher koach Stacy!
2011-07-05 : “Kung-Fu Panda and More”
Jul 05, 2011
Kung-Fu Panda and More
Naomi,
Just got back with the kids from our day at the movies sponsored by our dear friends at The Good People Fund.
The kids had a GREAT time (as always) and it's really one of the highlights of our summer programming.
Thanks for making it happen.
Todah Rabah!
Yitz
This past Sunday was the first day of summer vacation in Israel and we were excited to receive this note from Yitz Feigenbaum, one of the forces behind Beit Hayeled, the group home where kids removed from their parents are given a warm, supportive environment in which to grow and thrive.
It was the generosity of Good People Fund donors who made this movie (and the pizza and ice cream that followed) possible. We hope the rest of the summer is just as much fun!
2011-06-29 : “Must-See TV”
Jun 29, 2011
Must-See TV
Think about growing old without the company of a television set...or even a decent TV with a good picture and sound. Those long days, often spent in isolation, can be even longer.
When we spoke with Dalia Abbott at Project Ezra on the Lower East Side of Manhattan last week she shared that every other Thursday a small group of their seniors come to the building for a movie. The group decides what they want to see, Netflix sends it on and everyone enjoys the film, some companionship and a drink and light snacks.
Imagine our horror when Dalia shared a picture of the television the group was using. (Unfortunately, her camera phone did not do justice to the actual photo). Despite the color and beautiful music Barbara Streisand was belting out in Hello Dolly, the group was viewing this on a small out-dated TV set. In fact, Dalia admitted that "sadly, some people have chosen not to come to the group because they can't see the picture."
This was something we could fix and just a few minutes ago, Dalia reported back on her shopping expedition. For a truly reasonable amount of tzedakah money, Project Ezra's seniors will ease their isolation, share some food and enjoy a good flick on a wide-screen, flat-panel TV that everyone can see.
Who knows? Maybe Movie Day will be held every week. The Good People Fund is thrilled to make this happen...maybe we will even send some popcorn!
2011-06-26 : “Swim Safe-Postscript”
Jun 26, 2011
Swim Safe-Postscript
On Friday we wrote about the new swimming program The Forgotten People Fund is running for Ethiopian kids in Netanya. We just received this update from Aida, one of the FPF's founders who has been involved with SWIMSAFE. Clearly the Good People Fund's decision to underwrite even more swimming lessons was a good one:
I have been having a great time with the 8 youngsters with whom we have begun the project and three are already swimmers and two are almost swimmers. When we began, three were so frightened of the water when we got into the pool and now all 8 are jumping into the water, keeping their heads underwater and, when the hour is over, we can't get them out of the pool! I have been going into the water to tutor two of the girls who are having trouble getting their feet off the bottom of the pool and I am having a wonderful time seeing the looks on their faces when they get the idea of what it is to swim. I feel confident that at least these 8 kids will be able to SWIMSAFE.
How great it would be if even more kids could learn to swim...
2011-06-24 : “Swim Safe”
Jun 24, 2011
Swim Safe
Around here in New Jersey, today is the last day of school and kids are going off to camp or playgrounds for some summer fun. So, it was with particular interest that I read today's e-newsletter from the Forgotten People Fund. FPF is a group of dedicated volunteers in Netanya who have committed to helping the very large poor Ethiopian population in that city. Knowing that they not only do good work but do it with an overhead of about 2% or less makes this a sound tzedakah investment for us.
Today's newsletter announced a special program called SWIMSAFE which offers swimming lessons to children whose parents cannot afford to provide them. The kids receive 8 lessons, learn the safety rules and are considered beginners when they complete the professionally-run course.
The inspiration behind SWIMSAFE was the accidental drowning last summer of Avraham, a local youngster who visited one of Netanya's beautiful beaches and drowned. FPF volunteers felt that the best way to make sure that never happened again was to start SWIMSAFE and when they recently met Avraham's father they told him that it was his loss that inspired them to start the program. He thanked them "profusely and said he hoped that no other parent would suffer what he and his family have been through".
So - to celebrate the start of summer fun the Good People Fund is sending a check to cover 10 more kids who can learn to SWIMSAFE!
2011-06-16 : “Tzedakah at the Speed of Light”
Jun 16, 2011
Tzedakah at the Speed of Light
Just two days ago we were delighted to receive tzedakah from students at Temple Beth El in Tacoma. Included in their extensive list of designees were the "Quincy Kids" in Massachusetts who have worked for years to end child slavery throughout the world. This group of middle-school students is driven to help kids around the world with their passion, vision and energy. We love to help them.
Within minutes of getting the donation we sent an email to Ron Adams, their dedicated teacher-advisor and asked him for a quick list of the kids' immediate needs for their campaign. Ron responded at once and yesterday we went online to order everything they needed (including lots of stamps which have not yet arrived). Today, not even 48 hours later, we received the following email:
Hi Naomi,
The world operates at such a high rate of speed. Sometimes, I'm just in awe. One day a person donates a sum of money to The Quincy Kids. The next day, literally, supplies arrive in their classroom for use after school repairing this weary, old world.
Arriving today: (from Staples)
poster board (2 cartons worth)
memory sticks (2)
photo paper
9 X 12 envelopes (2 boxes)
This is so great and so very much needed.
Gratefully and with honest appreciation,
Ron Adams on behalf of The Quincy Kids
Broad Meadows Middle School
Quincy, MA
It was our pleasure to act on behalf of the Beth El students and the Quincy activists. In fact, right before this all happened we received the above photo which shows Quincy students wearing their new t-shirts. The shirts are the one piece of recognition the kids get for all of the hard work they put in during the year. The shirt is emblazoned with the flag of Nepal, where this year's fundraising will provide for the education and protection of poor children in the rug making region of that country. Way to go Quincy and Beth El!
2011-06-07 : “Another Giant Has Gone”
Jun 07, 2011
Another Giant Has Gone
From time to time we have written here about Zeev Birger who, with his late wife, Trude (z'l), helped so many poor families in Jerusalem. Trude's work (and then Zeev's) goes back to the days of Teddy Kollek, Jerusalem's colorful mayor. Teddy knew of Trude's amazing energy and spirit and asked if she and some friends might want to help very poor families living in the city's Romema neighborhood. With the same can-do attitude that Trude always showed, soon families were helped with all kinds of needs...food, clothing, funds to pay for the heat in the winter. But, in truth the very best gifts Trude and Zeev gave to those families were the times they spent talking to them, and the funds they contributed to underwrite higher education for their children. Dozens and dozens of kids broke through the poverty that encompassed their families and many became professionals, tradesmen...supporting themselves and their families.
With Trude's death several years ago, Zeev continued the work. It was not easy. In recent years he would share how hard it was to raise the funds but he knew he must because that was what Trude would have wanted.
A few hours ago, an email arrived announcing Zeev's death from a tragic traffic accident. The only person in his family to survive the camps, Zeev was hit by a motorcycle and died from his injuries. Trude and Zeev's legacy is huge...so many lives changed for the better because two people turned their own personal tragedies into goodness and justice.
May Zeev's memory be for a blessing. He will be missed.
2011-06-06 : “Aging in Place”
Jun 06, 2011
Aging in Place
Betty’s* story is one I love to share… As her physical limitations grew it became more difficult for her to stay on top of the cleaning and de-cluttering in her apartment; hanging clothes in the closet became impossible as she could no longer reach that height. At some point Betty refused to let anyone visit fearing that eviction and possible institutionalization might result.
But then, Irene Zola of L.i.L.Y (Lifeforce in Later Years) came into her life and everything changed. Irene never really understood the "nursing home scene" until her elderly mother fell and required a stay in a nearby home. When her mother died several months later, Irene knew she had to do something. In just her small Manhattan neighborhood, government statistics showed 1100 seniors, many, like Betty, living alone. Before long, Irene found others who shared her frustration about eldercare and L.i.L.Y.- Lifeforce in Later Years was founded.
After meeting Irene we knew this was a program we wanted to support. With our funds, professional help thoroughly cleaned Betty’s apartment and cleared large amounts of accumulated items, and coat racks were purchased to allow her to store her clothes where she could comfortably reach them. Shortly after, Irene reported that Betty was inviting neighbors in to share a cup of tea…a victory, for sure.
In addition, the Good People Fund’s matching grant, allowed Irene to reach out to more elders, and attract more volunteers and new funders to her work.
With people living longer and an infrastructure totally unprepared for that reality, Irene’s intergenerational volunteers are running errands, stopping for a cup of tea and a chat (see the smiles in this picture), taking walks, finding other resources to help solve problems...just being there. What a wonderful model they have built. Our government can continue to argue: Medicare-yes? Medicare-no?, but Irene Zola's dedicated volunteers will make a difference and we are happy to be part of it all.
*a pseudonym
2011-06-05 : “Summer Days of Fun”
Jun 05, 2011
Summer Days of Fun
I want to thank you so much for the very generous contribution you have made to send my children P and F to camp for the second summer in a row. The funding you are providing makes a huge difference in my ability to send them this summer. I know that through Eileen Sklaroff (whom I refer to as my "angel" for all of her help), you know how difficult my situation is. It means so much that there are people like you and Eileen who are able to understand and respond. My children didn't ask for this situation, and I am so grateful that , because of such help, they are able to have the Jewish summer camp experience that means so much to them, despite the family financial difficulties...
The circumstances may be a little different - one comes from a family where domestic violence tore the family apart; another abandoned (along with his mom) by her father when he went off to live with someone else; for others whose families are intact and functioning normally, the economic crisis covering our country makes time away at camp an impossibility.
As in the past, the Good People Fund has just committed to being part of the solution for several families represented by the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society of Philadelphia. When Eileen Sklaroff, the organization's compassionate and efficient director approaches us we know that she has done her homework and not only found the most worthwhile cases, but also assembled a group of "investors" who can come together to make it all possible. This is one group we are thrilled to be part of.
2011-06-02 : “A Giving Gift”
Jun 02, 2011
A Giving Gift
It's June and weddings and engagements abound. So many people are preoccupied with decisions about the perfect gift...a silver platter, a place-setting of fine china, a vase?
This morning, while speaking with a friend facing these daunting decisions for three about-to-be-wedded couples who really did have everything, we tried to come up with ideas for meaningful gifts. After a little thought I remembered a recent email from Judy Hoffman who began the Art Creation Foundation for Children several years ago. ACFFC provides about 90 kids in the Haitian town of Jacmel with scholarships for school as well as mandatory uniforms. Every day the children arrive at the rented building where ACFFC runs their programs...they share meals, go to school, study together, take part in art lessons, and in so doing, have created a wonderful extended family. For kids in Haiti this is as close to the good life as you can get. Judy's email mentioned that the kids really wanted to learn English this summer but she didn't have the funds to do this.
Would the couples be happy to know that a donation was made in their names that would allow a large group of kids in Haiti to take English lessons this summer? What could be more meaningful? In just a few minutes the idea took shape and now three young couples will be honored in this very special way. Each will receive a note about the children and ACFFC, some pictures of the kids and a tiny hand-crafted paper mache bird (much like the birds in this picture) that the kids create in their art classes.
Now isn't that better than another fragile piece of glass?
2011-05-31 : “Dancing the Night Away”
May 31, 2011
Dancing the Night Away
We couldn't help but smile when we saw this picture of joyful faces that arrived in our mail this morning.
The girls were all part of the group Bat Mitzvah sponsored by the Forgotten People Fund, an all-volunteer group that works with the large poor Ethiopian population in Netanya. FPF volunteers, led by Anne and David Silverman, establish personal relationships with many individuals and families and help provide them with basic needs.
Because of the generosity of a small foundation here in the States, FPF was able to gather 10 girls (all recommended by local social workers) for this festive simcha. Every celebrant was provided with a beautiful new dress and invited a table of family and friends to join the celebration. There was delicious food, a DJ, and lots of Israeli, American and Ethiopian dancing throughout the evening.
The Good People Fund is happy to have made this beautiful connection. We are sure this special event allowed the girls and their families to feel "just like everyone else."
2011-05-26 : “Sometimes...”
May 26, 2011
Sometimes...
Sometimes the stories we hear are so upsetting one cannot help but wonder how people survive unspeakable horrors perpetrated for no reason other than sinat chinam (baseless hatred.)
Such was the story we heard last week in an email from Karen Douglas and Yohannes Bayu from the African Refugee Development Center in Israel. Yohannes began ARDC several years ago in response to the humanitarian crisis which has resulted from the influx of refugees to Israel. In spite of the political ramifications of this situation, there are genuine humanitarian issues that must be resolved and the story we heard was clearly one of the most profound.
Karen wrote us about M., a woman who fled her native country with her son after her husband's death. M. left only because her husband's family did not approve of their marriage and actually threatened her child's life. In desperation, she accepted the "help" of a woman who promised to save her and then found herself in the Sinai desert, surrounded by Bedouin smugglers. The smugglers held her and her child captive for more than 15 months, demanding more money from her family to ensure her release. Throughout that entire time she was subjected to repeated rape, torture and other abuses. Her child was not spared and she was often forced to watch as he was repeatedly tortured and abused as well.
It was only by chance that she was discovered by the father of one of the smugglers who facilitated her release. She managed to flee and make it over the border where she was immediately picked up and imprisoned in the Negev. When Israeli authorities attempted to put her on a flight back to her native country she steadfastly refused to go. A prison social worker, knowing the extraordinary circumstances M. and her child experienced, referred her to ARDC in Tel Aviv where she was immediately housed in their shelter for refugee women (many of whom are also victims of abuse).
Despite their many physical and emotional scars, M. and her child are finally safe. They have received proper medical attention and M. is being helped by a clinical therapist who marvels at her optimism and gratitude. Also, she has found a job in a local kindergarten and is beginning to even save a bit of money for the future.
What can one do to help someone who has overcome such trauma? When we asked, M.'s therapist suggested that if she could leave the shelter with her son and live in a small apartment on their own, healing might progress even more. It did not take long for us to decide that the Good People Fund would underwrite three months of rent which, with ARDC's help working on her asylum status, may just put this brave woman and her child in a far better place than where they were only a few months ago.
2011-05-17 : “How Does Your Garden Grow?”
May 17, 2011
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Holly Hirshberg who lives in San Antonio, Texas grew up in a family that always produced bountiful gardens filled with fresh produce. When she married and established a family of her own she continued this tradition until 2008 when the country fell apart in the Great Recession. Always creative, and a successful social entrepreneur, Holly realized that people could make up for the loss in income by growing some of their own food. If she provided the seeds along with gardening tips and information, why couldn't people start their own gardens? (Even apartment dwellers can do this with container gardens.) And so the idea for Dinner Garden was born. Holly and her husband Sean registered Dinner Garden as a non-profit in 2009 and since then they have distributed more than 65,000 envelopes filled with seed packets to people all over the country and also were instrumental in the establishment of more than 190 community gardens.
When we met Holly and Sean on a visit to Texas a few months ago, Holly's enthusiasm was the first thing we noticed. Surely, she could help alleviate hunger in this creative way. When we asked how the Good People Fund could help, it was quickly decided that funds to purchase thousands of zip-lock bags (of all sizes), mailing envelopes and postage could dramatically reduce the waiting list Dinner Garden maintains for people requesting seeds for their own gardens. Since seeds are donated, our funds allowed Holly to start her volunteers on a packing spree and before long envelopes were in the mail (the above picture shows some of those envelopes volunteers.)
This morning Holly shared the following email from a recipient of one of those packages. It certainly confirmed the value of our investment and reminded us of just how important alternative and innovative ideas will go towards alleviating hunger in this country.
Dear Dinner Garden,
I received in the mail yesterday an envelope with my seeds as a GIFT.
I wanted to share my excitement and how thankful I am. We have been
planting a garden in past years and this year with no income and 4
kids we were so upset that we did not have the money to go buy plants
and than(sic) the mail came and to my surprise my garden in a envelope. My
husband was hurt at work and we were told our son is going to have to
have heart surgery since his heart condition is not getting any
better. So with all the bad news, not even getting into the medical
problems with my 3 wonderful girls, this was a truly amazing gift
and I want you to know and understand how much you HELPED my family.
It was like a wish come true. Thank you again. Stacy
Lorain Ohio 44052
As Dinner Garden's web site proudly proclaims, "You Can Grow Your Own Food" and the Good People Fund is thrilled to be able to help.
2011-05-11 : “Birthday Parties and More”
May 11, 2011
Birthday Parties and More
We loved being part of a grand day in Jerusalem last week when two busloads of LA-based March of the Living participants took part in a tzedakah/mitzvah event we helped arrange with two of our programs. Ruthie Sobel Luttenberg of Birthday Angels arranged for ten simultaneous birthday parties at Neve Michael and we heard that the celebrants and their classmates, as well as the guests from California had a great time mingling with Sesame Street characters who were part of the festivities.
In addition, March of the Living teens also had a chance to interact with 200 survivors who reside in a local hotel. Darla Oz from House to House put together an amazing program which we are sure will not be forgotten by either group. As Darla shared with us this morning:
The event was fabulous!!!!
...the group brought all kinds of things for us to put in the gift bags. Also, I purchased for them one towel for each Survivor. It was truly "A DAY TO REMEMBER".
The kids were the best ever; they interacted with the Survivors and they loved it. One young girl spoke Russian and she taught them how to say a couple of words. They also wrote a little note in Russian and gave one to every Survivor.
It was pure joy for the Good People Fund to help make these arrangements. We know that everyone who participated benefited from the experiences.
2011-04-15 : “Two Women on a Mission”
Apr 15, 2011
Two Women on a Mission
Miriam Avraham and Beth Steinberg are Jerusalem Moms, each with a special needs child. When faced with limited opportunities to provide their kids with meaningful summer and after-school activities they decided it was time to do something about it. Refusing to just bemoan the lack of quality programs, they set about to start their own. What began in 2007 as a summer program with 10 children, has grown today to Shutaf, a well-run quality organization that provides summer camp, after-school activities and holiday camp experiences for both special needs and typical kids. This inclusive program follows a model that encourages diversity and welcomes children with and without disabilities from across the religious and economic spectrum.
We first visited Shutaf on a warm afternoon during our Israel trip this past February. Set in Jerusalem's beautiful Nature Museum, Shutaf's programs were literally buzzing with activity. Each group is composed of both special needs and typical children of different ages with a range of disabilities. As we walked the halls we noticed one group intently watching a snake handler sharing the mysteries of snakes, while another group nearby was working on an arts and crafts project. In all of the noise and activity stood Deb, Shutaf's amazing program director, totally unfazed by the din and activity.
Have Miriam and Beth hit upon a real need in their community? You bet. In the few years since they began, they now have a waiting list of families anxious to enroll their kids in Shutaf programs.
It did not take us long to decide that Good People Fund tzedakah could be wisely invested in scholarships for potential campers. In addition, a generous donor came forward and underwrote an amazing Purim party which all the kids enjoyed.
2011-04-14 : “Of Androids and Good People”
Apr 14, 2011
Of Androids and Good People
We were excited to hear of the completion today of AmpleHarvest.org's free app that allows anyone with the new Android phone to access AmpleHarvest.org's database to find nearby food pantries or soup kitchens where they can donate any excess produce from their home gardens. This app, along with an earlier version suitable for the iphone was underwritten by a grant from the Good People Fund.
Gary Oppenheimer, AmpleHarvest.org's founder told us exactly how it works:
Using either the built in GPS or a user entered zip code, the app displays a Google map highlighting all of the AmpleHarvest.org registered food pantries in the area. Once a pantry is selected, it then displays detailed data including the contact and address information, days/times that the pantry can accept donations, as well as information about items the pantry most urgently needs. It can also connect the user with the pantry web site if one exists. Lastly, it also provides donors a convenient way to inform AmpleHarvest.org about the items or produce donated, should they wish to.
For most of us the planting season is about to get underway. It costs so little to plant a bit more--think of how many hungry people might benefit from your green thumb!
2011-04-13 : “Never Give Up-Postscript”
Apr 13, 2011
Never Give Up-Postscript
Shortly after we told Randi that we had made the car payments (see Diary April 12) she shared the following note from Susan, along with a picture of her family:
Randi and Angels,
This is my beautiful family, however you can see something is not quite right in my eyes. I had just found out (about my cancer) days before and almost canceled this photo. So glad I never did that. Today I'm not too pretty, but I'm here. Please let the angel, angels, whoever, know I'm smiling BIG today and for days to come. I felt the biggest energy burst and cried many happy tears... My family will be unable to say anything other than, "thank you again and again." It's like we just won the lotto and not because of money, but because we have what we need and that includes peace. God bless you all for caring for my family.
Hugs,
The.....Family
2011-04-12 : “Never Give Up”
Apr 12, 2011
Never Give Up
Sometimes, we are truly amazed at how much good we can facilitate in the early morning hours. By 7am today we were involved in an exchange with Randi Cairns, founder of Home Front Hearts.
Mother of four, wife of a soldier who has just been deployed (again) to Afghanistan, Randi began Home Front Hearts to raise awareness of, and offer help to military families, particularly from their local communities.
Randi and I spoke about Susan* whose military husband is now stateside since Susan's breast cancer diagnosis. Trained as a nurse and with an advanced degree in social work, Susan's illness and her husband's recent transfer to a new base in a warmer climate are creating short term difficulties for this family with four children. They now find themselves in financial distress and yet, along the way, people have appeared to help. A few days ago, Susan stopped at the gas station, kids in tow, and suddenly realized she did not have money for gas. As she gathered the kids and prepared to walk home, a farmer, filling his own tank, quietly filled hers and sent her on her way.
Randi had managed to find funds for food and weather-appropriate clothes for the family but their car is now in danger of being repossessed since they have been unable to make the last few payments. Randi told us that in spite of all of this she learned that Susan manages to put it all in perspective. In an earlier email to Randi, Susan shared the following:
...You inspire me. I talked about you today when I spoke with a lady I met at the pharmacy. Her mother had survived the Holocaust, and she wanted me to know that we "Humans" can do anything, but often it isn't easy. She told me how strong her mother would have to have been, and that she never gave up!! My battle is nowhere comparable, however I realize this is part of my "test." My goal from now on is to never give up!
By the time Randi and I finished our conversation, the Good People Fund had committed several payments towards the car (which is nearly paid off). Hopefully Susan's optimism will prevail while her family struggles to stay afloat.
* a pseudonym
SEE DIARY ENTRY FOR 4/13 WITH AN UPDATE ON THIS STORY
2011-04-11 : “It's All About Food”
Apr 11, 2011
It's All About Food
I cannot express how you truly make the Passover meal possible to my immediate family...we thank you so much, especially this year which is so financially burdensome for us. You are more than Good People-you are Great People!
----Linda
Linda's note is one of many we have received in the past few days as our Passover food coupons have arrived in the homes of people who we have identified as being in need of help with this food-centric holiday.
In addition to our US recipients, more than $20,000 was sent to Israel for the purchase of both food coupons and thousands of boxes of matzah which the Rabbanit Kapach is distributing this week.
Now, if we could just finish our own shopping!
2011-04-06 : “Running for Good People”
Apr 06, 2011
Running for Good People
While many of us will be trapped in our kitchens on Monday, April 18, Marvin Wolfert, a fan of our work from Foxboro, Massachusetts will be gearing up for the run of his life. Having qualified for the Boston Marathon, Marvin decided to inject some tzedakah into his grueling effort and has asked friends and family to donate to the Good People Fund in his honor.
We have already received many contributions and want to wish Marvin a quick and safe run to the finish line.
Will he really be able to sit at the Seder table that night?
2011-04-05 : “Birthday Connections”
Apr 05, 2011
Birthday Connections
I want to thank you and Birthday Angels for the great birthday party you and Liat arranged for my 11 year old daughter Anna.
It was a great party and everybody enjoyed it. All the girls had fun and Liat was great!
She is very kind and a great makeup artist
Thank you very much again.Your help and giving are blessed.
Sorry for my English...
This note was sent to Ruthie Sobel Luttenberg, founder of Birthday Angels, one of our Israel programs that bring joy and happiness to kids whose family might not (for economic or health reasons) be able to provide them with an appropriate celebration. When we visited Israel several weeks ago we met with Ruthie and reminded her about Jeremy's Circle, another organization we fund which was founded by Pamela Becker and her late husband Jeremy Coleman, before he succumbed (a few years ago) to cancer. Jeremy's Circle provides support and activities for kids who have a parent or sibling with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. When Ruthie and Pamela spoke, Ruthie offered her help with providing parties for these kids and recently the first party was held. As Pamela shared with us...
The mom (of this birthday girl) has been with us since the beginning. ... She notes (in the above letter) that she had just left the hospital following a course of chemo and otherwise would not have had the strength to arrange a party for her daughter. We celebrated her daughter's last birthday at the event at the ecological farm in Modiin.
These are just the kinds of connections we love to make for all of our programs!
2011-04-04 : “Hot Mitts-vahs”
Apr 04, 2011
Hot Mitts-vahs
Judy Jaffe, Director of Jewish Learning at Congregation Shomrei Emunah in NJ, called this morning with a problem. Her students were going to be decorating oven mitts later in the afternoon and she really wanted to find a good home for these creations. Could we help?
Within 20 minutes I connected Judy to Dalia Abbott, one of the dedicated social workers at Project Ezra on the Lower East Side. Dalia has many elders still living on their own for whom a new oven mitt, decorated and sent with love from a youngster, would be a welcome kitchen addition.
From the looks of this picture, it appears that the kids had a ball. We know a dozen mitts are on their way to new homes in New York. We can only imagine how many briskets and chocolate cookies they might help lift from the oven!
2011-04-01 : “April Fool's...!”
Apr 01, 2011
April Fool's...!
What a great surprise it was this morning to receive our "Google Alert" for The Good People Fund.
Despite the obvious misspelling in the article we are thrilled to receive such a beautiful review of our work.
Enjoy the article and consider the error just an April Fool's ploy!
http://sdjewishjournal.com/site/1874/the-fairy-goodmother/
2011-02-01 : “Baby Bottle Bonanza”
Feb 01, 2011
Baby Bottle Bonanza
...The first of your baby bottles etc. have gone out the door... 3 Newborns
each having none when they were born. So that's 18 bottles, nipples, & 3 bottle brushes Having the bottles & brushes means that all we have to do is count them out instead of having to find them, check to see that they're OK to use & then count them out! Somewhere in & around Seattle there are 3 babies less than a week old eating happily...Thank you again! Bless you for helping them all...
As always,
Jeannie
Jeannie Jaybush is a founder of Seattle's Baby Corner which serves as a resource for local social services who deal with families (with few economic resources) that have a new baby and cannot afford many of the items needed to help with caring for a new infant. From time to time we like to stock Jeannie's shelves with items we know will help those families. In the past we have donated dozens and dozens of nursing bras. It seemed only fair that the Good People Fund give some help to the Moms who choose to bottle feed! So - 60 dozen bottles and 360 nipple brushes have arrived in Seattle to hopefully make for some very content newborns!
2011-01-31 : “The Pain in That Room Was Palpable…”
Jan 31, 2011
The Pain in That Room Was Palpable…
Anyone who followed December's devastating fire that ravaged the Carmel Forest in Israel will recognize the image pictured here. The loss of life on the bus that was carrying new police recruits to the fire scene was immense. More than 40 men and women died in that inferno, all leaving behind families and loved ones to grieve. While several had wives, some even due to deliver babies in the coming months, not commonly publicized was that there were nine women and men who left behind either fiancées/fiancés or boyfriends/girlfriends.
We only learned of this in a recent conversation with Phyllis Heimowitz, co-founder of the Amuta for the Emotional Support of Girlfriends and Fiancées of Fallen Soldiers of the IDF(www.girlfriendsidf.org.il/). Each of these recruits was classified as part of the military and as such, only wives and blood relatives are entitled to the support services supplied by the state. It is this inequity that Phyllis' organization attempts to rectify by providing group therapy for those survivors who are considered "only" engaged to the deceased or "merely" a "boyfriend"/"girlfriend". (Her work began in 1997 when her own daughter lost her about-to-be fiance in a military action.)
As quiet has prevailed in Israel for so long, Phyllis never imagined that she would need to form a new group and have it fill up so quickly. To date five survivors of the fire catastrophe have requested help with several more going through the intake process. When Phyllis shared this tragedy she commented that when they first met with the survivors' group "the pain in that room was palpable" as each shared their story.
After the fire was contained the Good People Fund searched long and hard to find a significant way to help those impacted by this terrible tragedy. Once again, Phyllis and the Amuta have provided us with a way to help - we invite anyone who wishes, to send a donation to us for this effort.
2011-01-18 : “Words That Move Us...”
Jan 18, 2011
Words That Move Us...
Back on December 5 we wrote here about a family in Arkansas who we had learned about from Randi Cairns at Homefront Hearts. Randi shared that John Smith*, the father, was a disabled veteran and that the family was struggling with no hot water heater, a poorly insulated house and little chance for some modest presents for the upcoming holiday. We offered to do what we could and sent along not only the gifts but also arranged for a new water heater as well as some insulation work on their home.
A few weeks ago the following arrived here. While we know that the work that we do often has a significant impact, nothing quite prepared us for the eloquence and heartfelt emotions John shared with us. It reminded us of the very reasons why the Good People Fund exists and of how much of an impact we can make. Please read through and see for yourself...
22 December 2010
My Dear Ms. Eisenberger,
My name is John, I live in Arkansas with my wife and two daughters, and I am a disabled veteran, 100% permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty due to a coup-contra-coup brain injury with secondary Complex Partial Seizure disorder with Temporal Lobe foci. I also suffer from severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I have chosen to make my home in the backwoods of Arkansas's Ouachita Mountains because I have wished to be out of the way of the world since having been medically retired from the military.
It has been a long time since I set my hand to compose a missive to another person, it's something that I am normally a bit reluctant to undertake these days, but in this case it is a pleasure to sit and write to you. It has come to my attention that the Good People Fund has been a benefactor to me, my wife, and my children of late, in many wonderful ways...
To be perfectly frank Ms. Eisenberger, I had been feeling a bit less than charitable toward my fellow man for some time with the adversities that my wife, children and I have faced, and with reading the news, seeing the wars and unrest throughout the world, and observing mankind's uncharitable behavior toward one another, and I had begun to wonder if all the people of goodwill had vacated the planet.
I now know, thanks to you and the Good People Fund that they have not. And besides the many wonderful gifts that I have received at your hand, and the help that you have rendered to me and the ones I love, you have given me the gift of seeing the world as a friendly place once again, in spite of its troubles, and that may well be the greatest gift of all. I have not felt that way since I was a child. Thank you. You and the Good People Fund have restored my hope in the face of the adversities that we have endured as a family and the troubles that I see in the world around me.
My hope for the future is that God will allow me the opportunity to follow your example, and to be of help to others in some way before my time in this world is finished. Should the opportunity arise, it is my greatest wish that I be able to do some good...
...thank you so much for your amazing kindness, and thank you for doing so much good in this world.
Yours Truly,
John Smith,
* a pseudonym
2011-01-14 : “A Challenge for Good”
Jan 14, 2011
A Challenge for Good
With his behavior spiraling downward, school officials had no choice but to remove Michael* from his class. It was clear that he was no longer taking the medications he needed that allowed him to remain in school. What had suddenly happened? Quite simply his parents' financial situation had changed and they could not afford to fill the prescriptions. Though they had applied to the state for their son's health insurance, the application had not yet been approved. The school nurse even intervened and called the state to expedite the family's application - she was unsuccessful.
Not willing to give up, the nurse called our friends at Down the Block and in record time the medications were purchased and Michael returned to school the next day.
Wendi Weill began Down the Block just as the economy turned a few years ago. It was her response to stories she was hearing about her neighbors who had come on hard times and found that there was no other local agency that existed for just this type of short-term, emergency situation.
As the end-of-year donation season began the Good People Fund offered Down the Block a challenge - we would match any amount they received from new donors up to $4000. Wendi was thrilled to have this opportunity to attract new support for her work and within one month had met our goal.
Now Michael and other neighbors, just down the block, will have a new chance to overcome an emergency situation that could quickly spiral into something much worse.
*a pseudonym
2011-01-13 : “As Simple as Sox and Underwear”
Jan 13, 2011
As Simple as Sox and Underwear
The Rabbanit Kapach has been helping people in Jerusalem for decades; indeed as she herself approaches her ninth decade, her actual work began when she was just a child. Her life is dedicated to mitzvahs and tzedakah - a summer camp for city kids who would otherwise have little distraction from the long hot summer days on Jerusalem's streets; Passover food for thousands of poor people; daily knocks at her door by people who just cannot provide sufficient food for themselves and their families.
The Good People Fund likes to help the Rabbanit in her work and often provides her with those very items she distributes to others in need. When recently in touch, we asked her what she could use most during the winter months. Her quick answer? Underwear and sox!
So, with the help of others we arranged for the purchase and delivery of a large supply of both. As you can see from this picture, no one could be happier than the Rabbanit. We are sure that those who receive these necessities will be grateful to her (and to our donors who made it all possible.)
2011-01-11 : “School Books”
Jan 11, 2011
School Books
No matter where they may live, studying for school does not always come easily for many kids. For students living at the St. Mary Kevin Orphanage in Uganda, studying is doubly hard because so many of them, orphaned through the HIV/AIDS epidemic or civil war, have no parents to guide them nor books of their own. For most of them, sharing textbooks is the norm.
When we recently spoke with Gloria Baker Feinstein, founder of Change The Truth, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of the 190 children who now call St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Motherhood home, she was about to make her (annual) visit to the school. How could we help? Gloria told us about the shared textbooks and that she hoped to be able to gather the funds needed to purchase a sufficient number of books so that all students would have their own and be able to study independently whenever they wanted.
With the Good People Fund's donation of a little more than $2000, Change the Truth has established a library of academic textbooks for the primary school-aged children. Now, whenever a child needs a textbook they need only go to the library, check out the book, and study hard.
Gloria tells us that the books should last for four years...a great return on our tzedakah investment!
2010-12-30 : “Who Doesn't Like Cereal?”
Dec 30, 2010
Who Doesn't Like Cereal?
What kid doesn't like to start the day with a good breakfast including a bowl of cereal? Unfortunately, for many kids in this country this seemingly simple part of a day's nutrition is beyond reach and that is where our friends at the L.A.-based Bagel Brigade step in to help.
We wrote about the Bagel Brigade and their founder, Herman Berman, last month when Herman died at the age of 90. Bagel Brigade volunteers (mostly retirees and students) gather each day to collect leftover baked goods from retail establishments and deliver them to local schools, pantries and shelters where they will nourish hungry people. They also provide boxes of cereal to schools that offer breakfast to students who arrive hungry each morning.
When we learned that a large box of cereal cost them $1.25 to purchase in quantity we decided that we would like to help. So, with our donation of $4320 there will be an awesome number of cereal boxes arriving at local schools in the San Fernando Valley.
Now for the hard part - should we suggest Corn Flakes or Wheaties? (we know the kids would prefer Fruity Pebbles but...)
2010-12-22 : “Tools to Save the World”
Dec 22, 2010
Tools to Save the World
Dear Broad Meadows Operation Days Work Members,
I just received your list of wishes from Mr. Adams and I want to let you know that the Good People Fund will happily underwrite EVERYTHING that was on your list! We are so impressed with the work that you do. Each and every one of you is making a difference in the most profound way possible. The lessons that you learn in your ODW involvement will stay with you for the rest of your life. I can guarantee you that you will never forget this experience and that it will guide you as you go through school and then out into "the real world".
I hope to be able to visit with you one day and also to "observe" your meetings now that you will have a camera and SKYPE! I will arrange to set up a time to "visit" with Mr. Adams right after the school break.
Enjoy your new tools and save the world!
Naomi
Since first meeting their inspiration, Iqbal Masih, a young Pakistani child activist in 1994, generations of middle school students at the Broad Meadows Middle School in Quincy, MA. have been involved in converting their idealism-into-action through annual student voted, student funded partnerships with established organizations devoted to ending child slavery, poverty and the exploitation of kids. Though they work under the gentle guidance of a dedicated teacher, Ron Adams, it is the kids themselves that do the work and make the decisions. This year, their efforts will focus on children in Nepal where the literacy rate is one of the lowest in the world, only 35% for girls.
So - with the Good People Fund's investment of a few hundred dollars, the Quincy kids will have a webcam, poster board, crayons, markers, pens, notebooks and even some pretzels and other treats for their after-school meetings...all tools they will use to change the world.
2010-12-21 : “Kitchen Appliance Mitzvahs”
Dec 21, 2010
Kitchen Appliance Mitzvahs
Chava* is a disabled elder who resides on her own in Hod HaSharon with a caregiver who helps out for a few hours three times a week. She has three children, but only one is in touch and she has limited resources to help Chava.
Originally from the U.S., Chava speaks very little Hebrew, and because of that is terribly isolated in her community of mostly Hebrew-speaking Israelis. Though the social isolation is certainly a problem, a greater difficulty is that Chava's refrigerator is beyond repair and she currently uses ice blocks to keep her food chilled. Her caregiver would love to prepare some healthy meals for her but without an oven her inefficient hotplate is almost useless.
We learned of Chava's story in an email that arrived yesterday morning. The writer was Linda Mosek, a social worker and the founder of CLICK, an Israeli organization that provides social services for elderly residents in the city of Hod HaSharon. We wrote Linda immediately and told her that the Good People Fund would underwrite the purchase of a new stove and refrigerator. Linda's response was immediate, "You are wonderful and a real life saver. Thanks so much. Chava's situation is very sad and this is a real mitzvah!"
This morning, only 24 hours later we received several pictures from Linda, including the one you see right here. Clearly, Chava is thrilled with her new appliances and the Good People Fund is excited about being able to step in so quickly to make her life just a bit easier.
* Chava is a pseudonym
2010-12-20 : “When Saying No is Not an Option”
Dec 20, 2010
When Saying No is Not an Option
Jaroslawa Lewicka was but a child growing up in Zloczow (Ukraine) in 1941. As the war raged nearby, many of her Jewish neighbors had their homes confiscated and were not allowed to move about, even just to buy some food. Jaroslawa's grandfather could not remain silent during this time and with the help of his daughter and granddaughter, not only delivered food and medicine to a large group who were hidden some distance away, but also managed to hide two young girls until the area was liberated in 1944. It was often Jaroslawa herself, only 8 or 9 years of age, who managed to slip past the Ukrainian guards with food hidden in her school backpack.
Today, Jaroslawa lives in Israel and has been recognized by Yad Vashem as a Righteous Gentile. At age 75 she is relatively healthy, lives independently and is regularly visited by our friends at ATZUM, a great organization begun by Rabbi Levi Lauer which focuses on several specific at-risk populations in Israel, including Righteous Gentiles. When Yael Rosen, director of ATZUM's Righteous Gentiles project, wrote early this morning asking if the Good People Fund could possibly underwrite the cost of some extra help for Jaroslawa the answer was never in question. Saying no is not an option when it comes to helping someone who, at a very young age, risked her life so that others would live.
It is an honor.
POSTSCRIPT
We received this a few days after our posting:
Dear Naomi,
My name is Yulia Wygoda, and I work with Yael on ATZUM's Righteous Among the Nations Project.
I spoke with Jaroslawa and told her about your helping her with homecare. She was so happy and asked that I relay her thanks. I would like to relay my personal thanks as well. It is such a big help for her.
Have a good week,
Yulia
2010-12-16 : “Surviving in a Hearing World”
Dec 16, 2010
Surviving in a Hearing World
John S.* was the victim of identity theft - a nightmare for anyone, but for John, even more daunting because John is deaf. When his stolen credit cards resulted in nearly $7500 in consumer debt, the card company hired a law firm to collect. The firm had an incorrect address for John and he never received the notice of complaint - making an already difficult situation that much worse. With no response from John, the law firm filed a judgment against him and soon after, his modest wages were garnished. Now John could not pay his rent and with missed rent payments came an eviction notice. John was about to become homeless.
For any of us this scenario would be extraordinarily difficult. For a deaf person, navigating the legal system can be an impossible effort. With the help of Bruce Gitlin and the New York Center for Law and Justice (www.lawjusticecenter.org) that he founded last year, John was able to successfully appeal the improperly served summons and complaint, have his wages restored and the threat of eviction eliminated.
Though a seasoned attorney, Bruce never really forgot his earliest years in practice when he met a deaf woman who was an activist on behalf of the deaf community. She herself was not an attorney but she began a clearinghouse for legal service matters involving the deaf community with the help of others who agreed to serve on a pro bono basis. It was then that Bruce "immediately appreciated the profound need for the representation of the indigent, deaf." As years passed and his regular legal practice continued Bruce's interest in serving those who lived in poverty, particularly those with a disability never waned. As he began to study for the rabbinate it seemed even more appropriate that he bring all of his professional skills together in an organization that could help those in the New York indigent, deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
We've met Bruce a few times and were impressed with his gentle nature, his passion for social justice and his willingness to take on this work. The Good People Fund is committed to underwriting both the cost of ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters who accompany indigent, deaf clients to their attorneys, as well as to the clients' transportation costs, when necessary.
What a great model for other communities where the indigent, deaf population is underserved and forgotten.
*"John" is a pseudonym.
2010-12-15 : “Hanukkah, Harry Potter and Gift Certificates”
Dec 15, 2010
Hanukkah, Harry Potter and Gift Certificates
It doesn't really matter where you live; a new Harry Potter movie is an irresistible attraction to kids (and adults) throughout the world. As the Hanukkah week was coming to an end the kids at Beit Hayeled (A very special small home we have written about many times. Here, kids who are removed from their parents by the Israeli courts have a chance to live in a loving, supportive environment under the watchful care of Yitz Feigenbaum and Irit Zucker) were treated to a holiday gift from the Good People Fund and several donors. The "gift" was an outing to the mall cinema where everyone enjoyed popcorn during the movie and pizza, soda and ice cream for dessert. We heard that the kids gave the movie four stars and are looking forward to the sequel.
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem 26 kids who come from very poor families in the Baka neighborhood were each presented with gift certificates by Karyn and Zehava who head up a group of neighborhood volunteers who provide monthly food packages to several families struggling to put sufficient food on the family table. Immediately after we completed the purchase of the certificates, Karyn sent the following:
We felt very good about the generous vouchers and the idea of letting the children choose their own toys, given the fact that they are now older and it's more difficult to decide what they would enjoy.
Thanks for making it possible. You added a lot of joy to these families' lives this Channukah. Sometimes the basic food items are simply not enough.
It was our pleasure to act on behalf of the Good People Fund's donors...
2010-12-05 : “Hot Water”
Dec 05, 2010
Hot Water
It is with a deep feeling of thankfulness and wonder that I sit down this morning and write you this thank-you note. There aren't enough words for me to express the way you have made this family feel. Thank you most kindly for the water heater. It is something we will use daily and daily we will be reminded of your kindness and generosity. It will be a reminder to us that there are some very wonderful, good people in this world that care for those in need. There are times in life that a person loses all hope, in fact that happened to us and just when we were going to fall and give up you stretched out your hand and helped us up...
May your life be blessed with happiness and prosperity for all that you do for others, thank you very much!
Love and best wishes,
The Smith's*
The writer is the wife of a veteran soldier who is 100% service disabled with a severe seizure disorder. Randi Cairns of Home Front Hearts shared their story with us a few weeks ago and when we learned how this family of four was managing we decided to help. In addition to heating water on the stove to take baths, the family had just saved enough money to install a wood stove to heat at least part of their rustic home set in rural Arkansas. With personal expenses mounting and disability payments decreasing it has become impossible for the family to manage and the coming holiday season will be one with few if any gifts. When Randi shared everyone's wish list we were not surprised - mixed in with a few personal items like books and clothing were electric mattress pads, warm blankets, flannel sheets...clearly staying warm is on everyone's mind.
So, in addition to the hot water heater which we purchased the other day, new warm comforters, sheets and some other items from the wish lists are also on the way.
As Linda Smith, the Mom, wrote in one of her emails...These hardships happen in life and we will get back on our feet again. It is just a matter of time. We are happy that the Good People Fund was able to warm the holidays for this special family and hope that the "time" she refers to is really just ahead.
*The family name has been changed.
2010-12-01 : “A Different Type of Hanukkah Miracle ”
Dec 01, 2010
A Different Type of Hanukkah Miracle
He's a young man. His name is Zak and, like most other young Israelis, he has seen active duty as a soldier in the IDF.
Zak's story, though, takes a sharp turn after he returns from serving in the First Lebanon War. It seems that the only way he can "tune out" the sounds and the images of the war is to surround himself with loud music. And that is how he arrived at the Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association a mere ten weeks ago to begin his therapeutic riding sessions. Anita Shkedi, INTRA's founder, sent us this picture about an hour ago - she had taken it just as the sun was going down at INTRA's site along the Mediterranean.
Zak's war experiences left him with severe PTSD. For nearly ten years he rarely slept, his brain was always running, medications left him disoriented and some medical treatments actually put him in an even worse state. When he came to Anita not even three months ago, the only way they could get him up on a horse was to surround him with music blaring from the arena's loudspeakers. Time - time was what Zak needed and slowly, after three weeks, he began to appear regularly for his sessions and the loud music no longer accompanied him. The horse became his friend and calmed him. When Anita sent this morning's email and picture she was in awe of the changes she was seeing right in front of her eyes. Zak was laughing, sitting around INTRA's grounds chatting with others, lighting up his cigarette. She felt that she was looking at another person and again marveled at the miracles that man and animal can foster.
What better way to approach the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle?
Postscript:
A few hours after posting this and sharing it with Anita, she wrote back:
Tonight I gave him the pictures of him smiling while on the phone. He said it's all because of the horse. He asked me if he could come in a week on another day, just to be here. --- I am very happy.
2010-11-26 : “So Much More Than Bagels”
Nov 26, 2010
So Much More Than Bagels
Without a doubt, the best part of the work that we do is the amazing people we meet along the way - the "good people". But - along with the highs that come with interacting with such Giants is the sadness that comes when they die. This week one of the very best has died. On Tuesday Herman Berman, founder of the Bagel Brigade in Los Angeles passed away at the age of 90.
We should not have been surprised. In the more than ten years that we knew Herman every conversation included mention of his beloved wife Annie who he lovingly cared for over the years of her long illness. Two weeks ago we traveled to Los Angeles to meet Herman and his fellow Bagel Brigade volunteers (as well as several other Good People Fund programs). The day before our scheduled meeting with him we learned that Annie had died only a few days before and despite his grief, Herman declared that "life goes on" and we should proceed with our plans to meet him at his home. Regardless of the passing of several years since we last met, Herman was the same. Yes, he had aged but the sparkle in his eyes and his clear mind were evident. When his grandson and great-grandson stopped in for a brief visit, there was such a palpable resonance of love and adoration radiating between them that you could feel it in the room. When Herman asked us for assurances that the Bagel Brigade would continue in the event that he died, everyone agreed. As our visit came to an end and I bent over to say good-bye, I did not doubt that this would be our last interaction and that somehow, now that Herman had heard from everyone that his work would go on, he was free to join his beloved Annie. Thirteen days later he did just that.
Who will ever know how many people - kids, adults - in the San Fernando Valley went to bed with a full stomach because Herman remembered his early life when food was not so plentiful. It was those experiences that compelled him to begin the Bagel Brigade which gathers volunteers each day to collect leftover baked goods from retail markets and deliver them to local schools, pantries and shelters where they will nourish hungry people. To Herman it was just the right thing to do and so he just did it!
2010-11-15 : “The Call We Dread”
Nov 15, 2010
The Call We Dread
This morning's call was one of those that we have come to dread. Sadly, for the third time in the past ten months we were asked to help underwrite funeral expenses for someone whose family was unable to provide a proper burial.
It was only last January when we received a call from Pam Koner founder of Family to Family, which directs its work to helping people who live in poverty in rural communities around the country. In that call, Pam shared the tragic story of a young child in a Navajo community who had been killed in a fire that engulfed the family's trailer home.
Today's tragedy, in this very same community, involved a single mother of five children who walked out of her home to visit a neighbor and disastrously fell into a nearby arroyo (creek.) Already somewhat disabled by severe arthritis and other ailments she was unable to get herself to safe ground and in the night's 19 degree temperature, froze to death. It was only by the light of day that a neighbor came upon her lifeless body and called for help.
Today there are five children who are orphaned with no immediate support. The mother's Social Security disability will come to an end leaving the family with no income or food stamps.
Now, who will help?
2010-11-14 : “The Donut Hole...in Israel”
Nov 14, 2010
The Donut Hole...in Israel
Anyone in this country familiar with prescription drugs and Medicare knows that there is a gap between the initial coverage limit and the catastrophic coverage threshold. This gap has been dubbed the "donut hole" and for many people it has become a serious problem.
In Israel, there may be no "donut hole" but there is definitely a gap between what National Insurance puts into its medication "basket" (drugs that are covered by insurance) and what many people actually need to maintain their health or even survive their illness. Our friends at The Forgotten People Fund in Netanya are dedicated to helping that city's significant Ethiopian population in many different ways and a recent exchange with them alerted us to the needs of four individuals who require medications that they could not otherwise afford.
One young woman suffers from a disfiguring skin disease which has turned her into a hermit, depressed and withdrawn. With elderly parents and the family on welfare, the medication that she needs to help with her condition is beyond her reach. Another, a diabetic, has had both of his legs amputated due to the disease, and requires special liquid nutrition to help him regain some strength and stamina. The cost is such that the family can buy only one can per day while he requires more than five. He lays in bed, literally wasting away while his family looks on in frustration.
In each of these cases and two additional ones, the Good People Fund has sent funds that will provide four people with more than a 7 months' supply of their medication and perhaps also, some hope.
2010-11-04 : “Neighbors”
Nov 04, 2010
Neighbors
Something strange was going on in this old Jerusalem neighborhood.
First, one neighbor had a visit from Margitte* asking if she could "borrow" a slice of bread. Then, another reported that she stopped in to "borrow" a little milk...and on it went. When her neighbors happened to compare their experiences it became clear that something was wrong and that Margitte, an elderly Holocaust survivor, was probably hungry and did not have enough money to buy food.
Rather than ignore what they assumed, the neighbors went to the local social worker and reported their suspicions. Margitte was not known to social services but the social worker and some of the neighbors visited and asked her if she was hungry. With great shame, Margitte admitted that indeed, she was hungry and even acknowledged that she had gathered the scraps of old bread others left outside for the birds, just so she could have some nourishment.
A proud woman, content to pass her days painting and writing, Margitte was but a child when she was taken away with her Mother. On the train to Auschwitz, she recalled her Mother trying to think of some way to protect her from the horrors that lie ahead. And horrors there were, for Margitte was one of the children with whom the infamous Dr. Josef Mengele found such fascination.
Darla Oz shared this story with us this morning. Darla and her husband began House to House in Israel to provide food, clothing, shoes, and other help for elders including Shoah survivors who would otherwise "fall through the cracks." We know that whatever funds we commit to Darla will relieve someone's suffering - there is never any doubt.
How could we help Margitte? What was Darla doing to make life easier for this proud woman who had already been through so much? With some careful questioning by the social worker it was learned that food and housing were Margitte's greatest problems. The Good People Fund has agreed to cover the costs of a taxi which will take her to the supermarket each week; a monthly food stipend and help with her housing costs.
It was the least we could do.
*A pseudonym
2010-10-11 : “In Their Shoes”
Oct 11, 2010
In Their Shoes
"I felt choked up and ready to cry from the emotional impact it had on me. With all my years of experience, I found that I really had no concept of what they actually go through."
These words were spoken by a long-time Israeli professional in the eldercare field after experiencing something called VDT or Virtual Dementia Tour™. VDT™ was developed by PK Beville, founder of Second Wind Dreams (www.secondwind.org), an organization dedicated to changing the perception of aging. People caring for those with dementia who go through the scientifically proven tour and training come away with important insights about how to provide better care. Only when you personally experience the overwhelming feeling of confusion and physical helplessness that comes with the tour can you understand the best ways to care for those struggling with dementia and growing old.
When PK called to tell us that there was someone in Israel who was interested in bringing VDT to that country we were excited and agreed to become involved. Having gone on the "tour" ourselves several years ago, we could attest to its power and how it could have a very positive effect on family and professionals caring for dementia patients. We were soon in touch with Zissie Gitel, formerly from St. Louis, and now living in Israel. It was Zissie's own experiences caring for elderly parents as well as her work advocating on behalf of patients and caregivers that directed her to PK's ground-breaking efforts.
We met Zissie on one of her trips to the States and were impressed with her understanding and compassion, as well as her desire to change the status quo for eldercare in Israel. She outlined her plans for In Their Shoes, her Israeli non-profit, and now has presented the tour to many hospitals, nursing homes and others involved in eldercare.
We are excited about our involvement in this fledgling organization and look forward to working with them as they grow and "change the perception of aging" in Israel. Our funds were used to purchase basic audio-visual equipment for their presentations as well as for work on their eventual English-language web site.
2010-09-30 : “Hanging Up the Car Keys”
Sep 30, 2010
Hanging Up the Car Keys
More than 20 years ago Katherine Freund, a young mother from Portland, Maine, learned first-hand the terrible consequences of elders who continue to drive despite failing health, poor eyesight and loss of quick reflexes. Her young son, was suddenly critically injured by an elderly driver.
What do we do when aging parents should no longer be driving? How do we take that last bit of independence from them? There is never a simple solution, but after her son's long and difficult recovery it became Katherine's quest - to allow elders to maintain their independence and dignity despite giving up their car and license. That quest became the Independent Transportation Network (ITN)), a national organization dedicated to finding solutions for transportation needs for seniors and others with vision problems. One of those solutions is the door-to-door, arm-to-arm program that offers transportation on demand, either at no cost or greatly reduced cost. Transportation is provided mostly by volunteers using private cars (instead of vans and buses), giving elderly riders more comfort and attention.
ITNAmerica has grown tremendously since we first met Katherine. Today there are sixteen ITN affiliates scattered across the country with more communities in various stages of program development. The Good People Fund has offered support to one of the newest affiliates in Central Connecticut which began offering rides only a few years ago. Our offer to match new funds was quickly met and today ITNCentralCT offers 24/7 service to the area's many seniors and visually impaired residents. As one woman mentioned, "I think it's like having my own chauffeur."
Indeed it is.
2010-09-29 : “Fishing for Hope”
Sep 29, 2010
Fishing for Hope
Hello, Naomi -
I am sending you some wonderful pictures from the Vermont/New Hampshire program - finally - for you to use in your newsletter. Thanks again with major applause to the Good People Fund for all the assistance you provided to help our volunteers "push the envelope" to achieve their goals.
This picture shows the participants from Casting for Recovery Vermont/New Hampshire creating the "web of the world" - the connections that survivors make with each other start on the first evening, and grow stronger by the hour...
Kate
Casting For Recovery is dedicated to helping women with breast cancer recover, both physically and emotionally, through the unique benefits of fly-fishing...a sport which uses just those muscles most affected by breast cancer surgery. The physical benefits of a weekend retreat in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded not only by other women experiencing the very same turmoil, but also a group of volunteers committed in every way to making the event transformative, create a perfect therapeutic experience.
This year The Good People Fund once again offered a challenge grant (this time) to the Vermont/New Hampshire chapter to enable them to hold their annual fly-fishing retreat earlier this month. The chapter's volunteers held a successful online auction, ran a small fundraiser and managed to attract several new private donors-all of which propelled them well beyond the $2500 match we offered.
We wish we could have been there!
2010-09-27 : “So Much More Than Just a Bike”
Sep 27, 2010
So Much More Than Just a Bike
Back in 1999, Jack Hairston was not in the best of health. Walking was difficult and required not only significant effort but also special equipment. Until the day he spotted a young man riding on his street with a bike that had no working brakes, life was pretty dreary. Noticing that the only way the youngster could stop his bike was to put out his foot and hit the curb, Jack stopped the rider, retrieved some basic tools from his house and repaired the brakes with minimal effort. From that simple act of generosity developed a friendship, and from that came the program now known as Jack the Bikeman.
As word got out, more kids stopped by to get their bikes fixed and then friends and neighbors started dropping off used bikes for Jack to repair and give away. And, something else strange happened - Jack's health began to improve as he became involved in the lives of his neighbors, largely poor, migrant families with few resources. In addition to fixing bikes, Jack became a confidante and mentor to many kids and in so doing prevented many from joining the "gang life" so common in the neighborhood.
When we visited Jack a few months ago we were quickly taken with his dedication and love for this project. What truly astounded us was the pile of bikes sitting in a nearby warehouse...all waiting to be repaired by volunteers so that they can be given away during the holiday season to many local kids who would otherwise not enjoy that special childhood pleasure.
While repairing bikes is an admirable activity, Jack the Bikeman is about so much more. Dedicated to the education, guidance and training of at-risk children of migrant workers and to their parents as well, Jack's activities have grown. Today he is more like a one-man social service agency as he provides a free meal to local unemployed workers, disseminates critical health information and conducts HIV testing...and more.
The Good People Fund is happy to help Jack with this work and has just sent funds to purchase food for his free meals and for the purchase of the bike parts he needs to repair that mountain of bikes. If you happen to live in the West Palm Beach (FL) area stop by and offer your help. The bike workshop will be open regularly now that the holiday season is approaching and so many kids are waiting for that special bike.
2010-09-26 : “Blueberries as Therapy”
Sep 26, 2010
Blueberries as Therapy
Sgt. Adam Burke returned from Iraq with severe PTSD, TBI (traumatic brain injury) and a Purple Heart. Despite those very serious injuries he could never forget the promise he made during the earliest and darkest days of his recovery...if he returned home alive, he would help others and give back.
Recovery was slow and painful but when he recalled his youth growing up on a blueberry farm, Adam decided to return to farming and in time, began to heal from his trauma. If this work could help him, then why not others? Horticultural therapy is a well-respected complement to traditional medical therapies so could the physical labor performed outdoors surrounded by nature prove also to be therapeutic? Were there other skills involving cognitive therapy that could help? It seemed as if Adam had developed an effective and valuable way to help other vets returning with similar disabilities.
Today, Veteran Farm located in Jacksonville, Florida, has one operating blueberry farm with a second farm nearly complete. With Jacksonville home to multiple Armed Forces facilities there is no shortage of injured soldiers to avail themselves of this excellent resource, and with the national agricultural environment in desperate need of skilled workers and entrepreneurs, it seems as if Adam's idea is a winner all around.
The Good People Fund was so impressed with Adam and his efforts that we underwrote the purchase of thousands of pots he will use to start the blueberry bushes for the second farm. Within the next few months we hope to visit Adam in Jacksonville (FL) and see the true "fruits of his labors".
For more details about Veteran Farm we recommend you view this YouTube interview with Adam...it's worth the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rr1WpOVMIc
2010-09-17 : “The Working Poor”
Sep 17, 2010
The Working Poor
This morning, as we prepared to head to the kitchen to cook that one big last meal before the fast, the phone rang. On the line was Scarlett Fave, the Social Services coordinator for the Caridad Center in South Florida. Caridad Center is dedicated to the needs of many low-income, working poor families in that region. Scarlett knows that when she has an emergency situation she can call on the Good People Fund and if we can, we will help.
This morning's call involved a family on the verge of losing their modest trailer home. The husband works in construction but has been laid off for the past three months. The wife is employed as a housekeeper but the woman she worked for has moved and she now finds herself out of work. The husband is assured of new work next month but with three children to feed, this otherwise stable family could lose their home because of the fees they owe to the trailer park.
Could we help?
On the eve of the holiest day of the year it felt incredibly good to tell Scarlett that, on behalf of all of our generous donors, we will send a check to prevent this family from becoming homeless.
2010-09-16 : “Happy Birthday Hannah Greene!”
Sep 16, 2010
Happy Birthday Hannah Greene!
"When asked what I wanted for my birthday, I was blessed to be able to answer truthfully, "I don't know.""
Hannah, who comes from a family of creative and generous mitzvah-makers, wrote last week and asked if there was some young person in Israel with whom she could "share" her birthday. We were delighted and started to search for just the perfect place where Hannah's donation could be used to give a child something which their parent(s) could not provide on their own.
It did not take long for Libby Reichman of Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Israel to get back to me with the story of Liora* whose father died when she was 6 years old. Today, Liora is a young teen and her mother struggles daily to provide for her and her younger twin brothers. When asked, Liora's Mom admitted that she had no funds to buy some new winter clothes so with Hannah's donation sent in honor of her birthday, and the Good People Fund's matching dollars to add to Hannah's generosity, it looks as if a few children in Jerusalem will now have some new warm clothes for the upcoming winter weather.
What a great way to celebrate, Hannah! Yom Huledet Sameach!
*A pseudonym
2010-08-20 : “On the Edge”
Aug 20, 2010
On the Edge
He's a National Guard combat vet who has done three tours of duty over the past several years. It was only this past December when he actually returned to his young family from Iraq. With a job, a wife, a three year-old and a new baby on the way things were going smoothly. Until - premature labor set in and his wife delivered the infant seven weeks prematurely. With underdeveloped lungs, the baby was quickly put on a ventilator and transferred to a specialized hospital almost two hours away. What was once a stable home situation has now been turned upside down. Unable to work with the time spent traveling back and forth to the hospital each day and the stress of having such a sick child presents immediate financial challenges to this young family. The soldier's employer will grant him Family Leave but there is bureaucracy involved and the paychecks are not yet here. What do you do when you have nowhere to turn? Without the car insurance premium paid there will be no transportation to make the daily trip to the hospital and the gas and food bills are considerable.
When Randi Cairns from Home Front Hearts shared this story with us yesterday we wanted to help. Home Front Hearts is dedicated to helping the military family and raising awareness in local communities of the unique needs of the "weekend warrior". Though she received generous offers of gift cards for gas and food from others who heard the story, the family was still faced with a car insurance premium that needed to be paid. The Good People Fund has just sent off the premium with the hope that the baby will thrive and the family gets back on its feet once again.
2010-08-19 : “The Gift of Sight”
Aug 19, 2010
The Gift of Sight
We have 5 people needing eye operations and have 5 matching gifts of $200 each. So if that offer is still good to match, let me know and I can send money out (I have already sent out one payment for an operation as the woman is in her 90s!).
It happened so quickly...in the span of about 15 minutes, 5 elderly Jews (ranging in age from mid 80's to their mid 90's) living out the last years of their lives in remote communities in Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine, will be given the gift of sight! When Zane Buzby of The Survivor Mitzvah Project in LA wrote this morning, she told us that our challenge of finding donors who would cover half the cost of cataract surgery was achieved. Each operation costs $400 (a sum that most of these very poor elders could never imagine amassing) and with the Good People Fund's $1000 challenge grant, five people will benefit.
Zane's deeply personal connections to so many elderly Survivors in "the old country" no doubt accounts for their very survival...
It is direct mitzvah work with no bureaucracy and full transparency-just the way we like it!
2010-08-18 : “Have You Ever Heard of Suriname?”
Aug 18, 2010
Have You Ever Heard of Suriname?
How many of us have ever heard of Suriname?
If you have, did you know that there is a Jewish community there?
In fact, Suriname is not only the smallest country in South America, but also home to the oldest surviving Jewish community in the Americas.
Our friends at Kulanu who are dedicated to discovering and assisting little-known Jewish communities found in remote corners of the world, were in touch a few months ago to ask if we might be able to help with their latest Suriname project. When we learned what it was, we could not say no. Kulanu has initiated many different programs to awaken Jewish interest in the small community, but the one program that they so much wanted to make happen was a birthright Israel trip for 16 young adults. When birthright agreed to fund the trip and provide a Dutch-speaking guide, it was left to Kulanu to find the funds which would get these young travelers to Miami where they would catch the flight to Israel. The local community would do some of their own fund-raising and the Good People Fund offered Kulanu a $2000 matching grant to get them on the way to the full $12,000 they needed.
It didn't take long for others to step up and meet the challenge, and tomorrow 18 young people from Suriname, along with an advisor, will depart for the Holy Land.
As one of them wrote:
...the family that I descend from came to Suriname at the end of the 17th century. I want to learn much more about Judaism. I just started to have lessons with Rabbi Haim Beliak who left a few weeks ago and now I study with Mr. Jules Donk, the president of the community.
I'm very excited about the Birthright trip to Israel; I can't wait to see Israel. I'm hoping the trip will become an unforgettable experience.
We know it will be....
2010-08-17 : “For Want of a Reliable Set of Wheels”
Aug 17, 2010
For Want of a Reliable Set of Wheels
How many times does reliable transportation prevent an individual or family from rising above economic distress?
We suspect it is not a rare occurrence so when we spoke recently with Marc Fogel, chairman of Yad Chessed, a small, highly efficient Boston-based organization which provides funds for families and individuals who suddenly find themselves without the means to survive economically, we learned of a chance to possibly reverse one family's downward spiral.
Marc shared the story of a family where the wife has lost her job and run out of unemployment benefits.
Her husband has the potential to make good money as a court stenographer but only gets called for jobs intermittently. Recently, one call seemed to turn the situation around when it led to other calls. Sadly, the jobs are in a wide geographic area (up to 50 miles away) and he has no car. If he turns them down he is sure to jeopardize future assignments. (A serious back problem prevents him from using public transportation). If he uses a cab, sometimes the fees are so high that they wipe out the very income that he makes by taking the job.
How could we help? Working with Yad Chessed, the Good People Fund contributed funds to allow the family to purchase a decent used car that will provide reliable transportation and perhaps, forestall the inevitable collapse that could come from this difficult situation.
A wise investment, for sure.
2010-08-13 : “Lending a Hand to a Good Man”
Aug 13, 2010
Lending a Hand to a Good Man
Joe Lordi has run the Youngstown Community Food Bank for years. Quietly, and often at great personal expense, he helps those living in the Mahoning Valley around Youngstown, Ohio who struggle to put food on their table each day. Whether the temperature soars to unbearable levels or drops to single digits, Joe (and his volunteers) can be found outside, loading and unloading trailers and greeting those who count on the food bank for help.
It was no surprise to us a few days ago when we received a call about an effort in progress to help make life better for Joe and his family. We knew that his selfless nature, devotion to others' welfare, and his modesty would not allow him to reach out for his own needs but, fortunately, some of his volunteers recognized that the time had come to lend a hand to the Lordi family. And, lend a hand is just what they did. Local businesses, craftsmen and volunteers are about to finish their own "extreme makeover" of the Lordi house and when we asked how we could be part of their effort, we learned that some new furniture would be a welcome addition to the freshly painted rooms, replacement windows, new roof and flooring.
How good it feels to give back to someone who gives so much. The Good People Fund hopes that Joe and his family spend many good years in their "new" home and that the volunteers who were part of the mitzvah realize just how important this was.
2010-08-12 : “Holiday Fare”
Aug 12, 2010
Holiday Fare
Even though we do this every year, there is still excitement and satisfaction when we complete our plans for the purchase of supermarket scrip for Rosh Hashonah food. Between Israel and the United States, more than $10,000 in scrip and food will be distributed in the next few weeks. Who will enjoy a sweeter new year because our donors (including several generous religious school classes) cared enough to contribute to this need? ...elders living on minimal limited funds...many Holocaust survivors who struggle daily in so many ways, the "working poor" who despite a job never quite have enough money left for sufficient food, let alone something sweet...
Knowing that so many families and individuals will hopefully experience some joy as the new year approaches makes us feel good this warm summer morning when the prospect of a quickly approaching New Year seems particularly strange.
2010-08-03 : “For Want of a Hearing Aid”
Aug 03, 2010
For Want of a Hearing Aid
"Ella"* spent the years during the Second World War in a work camp. Her two brothers were less fortunate - they were among the six million who perished during the Shoah.
Now in Israel and also widowed, she, like so many others, lives on less than $15,000 a year.
When our friend Darla Oz from House to House recently visited Ella she saw immediately how difficult life was...her stove was broken, her gas dryer was also in need of repair. Someone to help clean the tiny apartment would also benefit this 80+ year old woman.
But, as Darla shared, her most important need was clearly working hearing aids. Speaking to Ella on the phone was almost impossible, face-to-face was only slightly easier. Socializing with friends was difficult, leading her to even greater isolation. When Darla inquired about the aids, Ella explained that she did go to the audiologist but when she asked him if he could repair them he only laughed. When she asked why, "He said, 'Look, your hearing aids are 40 years old! What do you want?'"
Through the generosity of one of our donors, Ella will have a new hearing aid and who can imagine how the world will open up for her!
*To respect her privacy, we are using a pseudonym.
2010-07-30 : “Around and round it goes...”
Jul 30, 2010
Around and round it goes...
Dear Gary,
I just got a call from Ranya Kelly outside of Denver. She runs the Redistribution Center and has a small pantry which is helpful to many local people who just don't have enough to eat.
I told her to register with AmpleHarvest.org months ago and she got a call from the local community garden! They will be delivering lots of fresh produce to her as the crop starts to comes in....
AmpleHarvest.org really does work!
For those of you now reaping the crops you planted in the Spring, visit AmpleHarvest.org to find a local soup kitchen or food pantry that will gladly take the excess food you cannot use/give away to friends and family.
And...speaking of Ranya, we are so proud to know her and to be part of her very special work. The lives of thousands of people have been changed because of her never-ending dedication to retrieving new merchandise from manufacturers and retailers and getting it to people who need it. In fact, we are not the only ones who are impressed...Ranya was recently named a finalist by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for Citizen Service Above Self.
An honor we know is beyond deserved!
2010-07-01 : “It's just a slice of pizza...”
Jul 01, 2010
It's just a slice of pizza...
I just spoke to Lila*. She is still at home. She says she is doing a bit better ... She talked again about the thrill she feels about receiving the money. In fact, she said she is feeling the most contentment that she has felt in the past 3 years! She said to be able to order a pizza and spend $10 without worrying is a feeling beyond words. Could the money be going to a more worthy woman, I ask you?
Eileen Sklaroff shared this comment with me this morning. As head of FHBS-The Female Hebrew Benevolent Society in Philadelphia, now the longest-running Jewish charitable organization in the United States, Eileen knows only too well, many more "Lila's". Her all-volunteer group provides a safety net for hundreds of people who find themselves in a difficult place. Lila is an 87-year-old widow who lives on her monthly Social Security check - a bit more than $1000. With the death of her son over a year ago she lost the one stabilizing force in her life who she knew would help her with any unmet needs she might have. A loving grandchild with several young children of their own, as well as a few friends and other relatives help when possible but it is not easy. Fiercely independent, with many serious health issues, Lila has learned to live an extremely frugal life. When Eileen told us her story and asked if we might help, the Good People Fund immediately committed to paying one month's rent just to give her a bit of a break, as well as a $50 monthly stipend so that she might enjoy a modest pleasure as small as a pizza.
We are sure we will not forget this story the next time we call to order a pizza.
POSTSCRIPT
A few days after we posted this story, Eileen Sklaroff wrote and shared the following comment which came to her from the social worker who works directly with Lila:
Hi Eileen – I cried reading this. The account took on a different dimension for me when I saw it in writing. I have thought about why Lila continues to talk about how much getting a pizza means to her. I believe it is about the little things in her life that she can no longer afford - that she misses. In and of itself, it is not the pizza, per se. It is the small things that she took for granted during her earlier years. Lila is one of the fortunate ones who can now enjoy some of these small joys. How sad I get thinking about all the people who will never be able to enjoy a simple pizza.
F.
It is indeed those "little pieces of pizza" that keep the Good People Fund going every day... so quickly we all forget what it is that makes up "life".
*To ensure confidentiality "Lila's" name has been changed.
2010-06-30 : “Haiti...Six Months Later”
Jun 30, 2010
Haiti...Six Months Later
Our kids have very full lives - I rejoice whenever I am with them yet I am sad because there are so many children, even in Jacmel that we cannot help. Hopefully, as our children grow up, they will continue to reach out and the community will expand exponentially. For us, it is important to stay focused on who we are and what we do at all times. We all are dismayed and want to fix the world re Haiti but we can not. We can empower these kids to do so.
So wrote Judy Hoffman in a recent email. Judy is the dedicated founder of ACFFC-Art Creation Foundation for Children which has been involved in saving children's lives in Haiti since 2000.
After speaking with Judy on the phone and then meeting her in person we could not believe our luck. This woman was a treasure and her program everything we could have wanted when considering how our funds could make an impact on the extreme losses in Haiti, post-earthquake.
Long interested in folk art and the owner of several pieces of Haitian art, Judy traveled to Haiti in 2003 and was overwhelmed not only by the extreme poverty and begging children that seemed to be everywhere, but also by the brilliantly-colored art that is so much a part of the local landscape. Moved to do something, Judy and several other art collector-friends began by raising funds to help feed the kids as well as give them simple art lessons. Knowing that developing their artistic talents could give them a means to support themselves down the road, Judy and her friends enlisted the help of a local artist friend who offered Jacmel's children daily food and art instruction.
Today, post-earthquake, there are 80 kids in the program. To take part you must attend school, and ACFFC provides the modest sums needed for classes as well as mandatory uniforms. Every day the children arrive at the rented building where ACFFC operates...they share meals, go to school, study together, take part in art lessons, and in so doing, have created a wonderful extended family. Their artwork (including the most beautiful and colorful paper mache birds and bowls and masks) has been exhibited in many galleries and expositions and is, in a word, stunning.
How could we help? With about 22 children of high school age, tuition for next Fall will be over $5000 which includes books, uniforms and exam fees. Using funds sent to us at the time of the earthquake as well as additional donations, the Good People Fund has assured these kids an education for next year.
When Judy told us that she could not imagine her life without these kids we knew we had come to the right place to help recovery in Haiti. ACFFC is focused, runs and extremely lean program with no overhead (costs come to less than $1000 per child per year and board members cover all overhead expenses), is transparent and efficient (Judy travels to Haiti at her own expense every 6-8 weeks; board members also visit regularly) and, above all else, it is so apparent that they truly love what they do.
A worthwhile tzedakah investment for sure!
2010-06-23 : “When No Is Not an Option”
Jun 23, 2010
When No Is Not an Option
It doesn't happen often, but it has occurred before, and when it does it makes you pause. The call we received but five minutes ago required an immediate response and how grateful we were that our donors have made it possible for us to say "yes" when "no" is just not possible.
The caller was Scarlett Fave, our contact at the Caridad Center in Florida. The Center is an irreplaceable resource for the many migrant and service workers that live in the region. Scarlett knows that when she has a problem that she cannot solve, she can always call and if we can, we will help. Scarlett's problem? A child with Cerebral Palsy had just died and the family's limited resources made it impossible for them to cover the (very reasonable) funeral expenses. Could we make up the difference?
Could we not?
2010-05-16 : “Survivors Surviving”
May 16, 2010
Survivors Surviving
They survived the camps in Europe and miraculously ended up in the holy city of Jerusalem. A happily married couple, life was okay.
As old age crept up on them, so did many health issues. Today, the wife suffers with cancer - a particularly insidious cancer - one whose treatment has steadily eroded her face. When all of the chemo, surgery and radiation were completed, the doctors declared success. Until...the disease appeared in her gums, forcing her to have all of her teeth removed. She can no longer "eat" and all of her food must be liquefied so that she can drink it through a straw. Believe it or not, her devoted husband has been doing this chore manually so that she can get some nourishment and strength.
This was the story I just heard from Darla Oz, who, with her husband, founded House to House. (An organization that we have written about many times in this Diary) Darla does extraordinary work, much of it with vulnerable survivors in Jerusalem, and has a never-ending list of needs. Each time we are in touch the stories get more and more disturbing. On this call, Darla mentioned that in addition to the cancer, this elderly couple can barely scrape together the funds they need to buy proper-fitting adult diapers or the medications they both require to maintain some semblance of good health.
Here, though, is where this story takes a twist. Several weeks ago a good friend sent us some tzedakah money with instructions that it be used to help a survivor. The money was put aside. I knew that it would not be long before I would find just the right place to use it. Now was the right time. I told Darla to go out and buy the high-powered blender that would do the job needed to produce food the wife could eat.
But - the story does not end here. The donor, when told about how her tzedakah was used, was so moved by the story and the injustice of this sad situation that she shared my email with her friends, some of whom then made their own donations to the cause.
Today, but a few days after the initial conversation, this elderly couple will have not only their blender but also a monthly stipend which will cover the cost of the extra diapers and medicines they require.
...One cannot help but wonder how a Shoah survivor ends life with such a horrific disease, but that is another story for another time....
2010-05-11 : “A Second Field Trip New Orleans Style”
May 11, 2010
A Second Field Trip New Orleans Style
May 5, 2010
Dear Naomi,
I am writing to you on behalf of the 2nd grade teachers at Fifth Ward Elementary to thank you for your generous donation to aid our field trips this year. With the funds that you provided, we were able to take 50 students and parent chaperones to the Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans. This experience was incredibly valuable to our students' education and was a great chance for them to learn some new things.
As you may know our students are mainly from low-income backgrounds and do not often have the opportunity to travel throughout the state and to get to learn through experience. The generous donation from The Good People Fund has enabled our students to travel to New Orleans and learn about our life science curriculum and lessons first-hand. The students had a lot of fun and learned so much during this trip!
I have included some photos from our trip that I hope you will enjoy.
Sincerely yours,
Samantha Lakin
Special Education Teacher, 2nd Grade
Fifth Ward Elementary
We just received this note from our friend Samantha Lakin who is completing her second year of work for Teach for America. Over the past year Sam has shared some very poignant stories about the children in her class as well as the difficulties she and other teachers encounter as they try to broaden their students' life experiences with very minimal available resources. Sam has confirmed through both words and pictures that our small tzedakah investment paid off big returns to those kids who experienced the wonders of the aquarium.
2010-05-10 : “Budding Artists”
May 10, 2010
Budding Artists
...We had the best time. They loved the museum and the art projects they got to do...We also toured the museum, visit the studio and spoke with an artist.
Before we left all the kids were using the words...awesome, fantastic, and cool. Those are 3 words that are hard to come by when you are working with kids. They loved the experience. Parents have contacted me over the weekend and at school to tell me when their kids got home all they wanted to do was paint, color, and draw. Thank you for opening up a door for these kids. You have given them a new opportunity and a way to express themselves. Thank you for all you do for our students...
This was an excerpt from an e-mail I received this morning from one of the staff at the McRoberts School in McRoberts, Kentucky. As part of our ongoing work with this tiny school tucked away in the mountains of Appalachia, we agreed to provide funds for some field trips to museums and other venues which the kids might otherwise never see.
Judging by this note, their trip this past weekend to the William King Art Museum was a resounding success! We are excited about the part we played in broadening these kids' experiences and wonder if perhaps a young Picasso might come forth from this opportunity...??
2010-04-21 : “Calculating Mitzvahs...”
Apr 21, 2010
Calculating Mitzvahs...
"The calculators are here. The teachers are very excited. They couldn't wait to get them. They are very appreciative! They were needed and will definitely be well used. Thank you so much. "
We continue to do very special work with the families and schools in McRoberts, Kentucky. (Described in this Diary on November 18, 2009) Situated in the Appalachians, McRoberts is a tiny, proud rural community that struggles to educate its youth and improve the lives of its citizens. Over the past year we have interacted with the schools in many different ways - providing individual early reader books for each child in kindergarten, field trips, school supplies and more.
The school staff is dedicated and constantly seeking ways to provide students with the right learning tools. When we learned that math students in the middle school did not have the proper calculators, we agreed to help and immediately ordered a set for one of the classes.
Judging by the picture, it looks as if the Good People Fund's investment was a wise one and the calculators are being put to good use!
2010-04-20 : “Helping Israel's Ethiopians Climb the Ladder of Success”
Apr 20, 2010
Helping Israel's Ethiopians Climb the Ladder of Success
While visiting last week with Anne and David Silverman and Aida Miller, founders of The Forgotten People Fund in Israel we learned about the very important work this all-volunteer group does on behalf of Netanya's large Ethiopian population. We even had a chance to see first-hand the incredible changes they made possible at the elementary school where a mostly Ethiopian student body studies. It was heartening to know that even though FPF is working with 50% less funding this year, they are still making an impact.
During lunch, we heard about the scholarship they had just provided to a young Ethiopian woman who is studying nursing at the nearby Laniado Hospital and thought that this could be a very meaningful place for some of our tzedakah money. When we learned that $1400 was what was needed to allow one student to complete a year of training we immediately committed funding and within a few days learned that a young woman whose family had arrived in Israel in 1996 would continue her studies. Ruthie, our young student, comes from a single parent family with a Mother who is too ill to work. She has raised her family on government assistance and now one of her children will become a professional nurse...breaking the cycle of poverty once and for all. An interesting comment shared at our lunch was that it is generally agreed that Ethiopian nurses are particularly compassionate and gentle, making this a fine profession for those who express interest. We were happy to be able to help.
Coincidentally, at the same time we learned about a second young Ethiopian woman, this one coming from a single parent family as well, but studying to become a teacher. While scholarships were providing for the actual education costs, "S", was having a difficult time staying in school since she had very limited funds for incidentals and other living expenses. When we heard that she was considering dropping out of school we committed three months of living expenses so that "S" could remain in school and achieve her goal to become a teacher.
We are excited about both of these tzedakah opportunities and how they might help young Ethiopians become self-sufficient, productive members of Israeli society.
2010-04-16 : “Dancing With the Stars-II”
Apr 16, 2010
Dancing With the Stars-II
On April 7 we shared the story of Moti*, a 75-year old man, paralyzed and blind in one eye, who had the opportunity to take part in a dance program if he could get a wheelchair that was in better condition than his present dilapidated one. Within minutes of learning about this need, the Good People Fund committed the modest funds and Moti was on the way to getting his weekly lessons.
As we had expected, Linda Mosek, the dedicated head of CLICK, an Israeli program that serves the elders in Hod HaSharon, sent along a photo of Moti's first lesson.
Enjoy! It was one of the best uses of our tzedakah dollars!
2010-04-14 : “When Tragedy Strikes The Family”
Apr 14, 2010
When Tragedy Strikes The Family
For Jeremy Coleman and his wife Pamela Becker, a young Israeli couple with three children, life was turned upside down three years ago when Jeremy was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer. In addition to fear and anxiety, the side-effects of treatment and the constant travel to receive new opinions, there was that ever-present worry about how the illness affected their three young children. Friends and family stepped in to help but even that could not make up for the very real trauma enveloping the family. When the couple's oldest child mentioned her wish to have a friend who might also have a Dad with cancer it took many months to find a youngster living with a similar situation and that relationship proved to be very helpful. After a year of difficult treatment, it was apparent that Jeremy would not survive his disease, but before he died he and Pamela developed the idea of Jeremy's Circle, an organization focused on bringing together children living with cancer in their families.
In our meeting today with Pamela we learned how important the play-dates and special fun days are to these kids and their families. At their latest event held during the Pesach season, kids enjoyed the activities of a local ecology center while the parents who attended joined together in a discussion with a psychologist, himself a widower who had brought his own kids.
In addition to these activities, Jeremy's Circle also sponsors a mentorship program for students on three university campuses. Students, many of whom have grown up with cancer in their own families, are paired with local children and provide a warm and supportive friendship.
We learned from Pamela that there are more than 5000 young families in Israel living with cancer so we know that the importance of the services this young organization provides and the Good People Fund has committed funding for fun days as well as the expenses associated with the mentoring program.
Spending time with Pamela is an affirmation that life goes on and from tragedy good things can come. We are excited about our work with Jeremy's Circle and hope to continue to help them as they grow.
2010-04-13 : “Yom HaShoah in Israel”
Apr 13, 2010
Yom HaShoah in Israel
We were incredibly lucky to be able to attend the very moving Yom HaShoah ceremony at Yad Vashem this week. It is something everyone should be able to experience-at once both sad and hopeful.
What made the entire Yom HaShoah experience here even more meaningful was our surprise to find an article on the front page of the Jerusalem Post which featured the story of Leopold, a Shoah survivor who was helped by Darla Oz, founder of House to House, one of the programs we work with here in Israel. We have often written about Darla's work in Jerusalem, particularly the organization's efforts to help the elderly remaining Shoah survivors who live well below the poverty line, struggling with physical and emotional issues that are sometimes the result of the conditions under which they lived during the war.
We are proud of what we have been able to contribute to Darla's efforts and reading Leopold's story in the Post on Yom HaShoah proved just how important they are. Read on - it is a sad but moving story...
http://www.jpost.com/ArtsAndCulture/Entertainment/Article.aspx?id=172925
2010-04-07 : “Dancing With the Stars”
Apr 07, 2010
Dancing With the Stars
Dear Naomi,
How are you? How was your Passover?
I was wondering if you might be able to help us with one of our elders who
attends the day care center for disabled elders. His name is Moti*. He is 75 years old and paralyzed from the waist down and blind in one eye.
We are interested in taking him to dance classes in his wheel chair, as part of our sports initiative.
We have a volunteer dancer who will be his partner. The main problem is his
old dilapidated wheel chair.
This email arrived at about 3:30 this morning from Linda Mosek, a social worker and head of CLICK, an Israeli organization that provides social services for elderly residents in the city of Hod HaSharon. We admire Linda and her professionalism and when we can help solve difficult situations involving her elders, we will.
This latest request was special; we could not help but write back immediately (It had been a sleepless night here) and tell her our check would go right out. For under $150, Moti will have a new wheelchair in which to spin around during his upcoming dance lessons! (and it all transpired in but 15 minutes of email exchanges) Who could say no to this?
We promise a picture when the actual lessons begin. It will be priceless.
*His name has been changed.
2010-03-26 : “The Shabbat Queen”
Mar 26, 2010
The Shabbat Queen
Since I picked up the sad message from my voicemail last night, so many images have flashed through my mind. The message was short - Clara Hammer, known, no doubt, by thousands of schoolchildren here in America as the Chicken Lady, has died, just weeks shy of what would have been her 100th birthday.
Clara was a legend. Her tzedakah story was shared in classrooms, news articles, pulpits...just about every possible venue you could imagine....And what a story it was. Many years ago, while visiting her butcher, Mr. Hacker, Clara witnessed him handing over a bag of chicken bones and skin to a young girl. Commenting to him that the girl must own many cats, the butcher replied that the bag's contents were actually for the family to use to prepare a Shabbat cholent. He went on to explain that the father and mother were not well and had not worked in a very long time. Though he had extended credit to them, he could no longer do so. Clara was appalled that anyone would have to eat such garbage and instructed Mr. Hacker to give the girl two chickens and a half kilo of chopped meat weekly so that they could have a proper Shabbat. No one was to know the identity of the donor.
What began with that one selfless act in 1969, continued (albeit with the help of her family in the past few years) until her death yesterday. When I last visited Clara about 13 months ago, it was clear that the fire and passion that had once prevailed was diminishing. The scene was the same - an apartment where pictures of dozens of family members (I've lost count of how many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and I think even one or two great-great grandchildren, she had) vied for space with the many, many chickens - stuffed, musical, dancing, given to her by admirers from all over the world. They, in turn, shared space with the many beautiful certificates and awards Clara earned from her mitzvah work. Clara's advanced "computerized" records still sat nearby - file boxes filled with index cards, each listing donors' names, addresses and every one of their donations. A donation to Clara's Chicken Fund got you a beautifully handwritten thank you letter - even with no professional fund-raising training, Clara knew how to get you back for "recurring donations." On the table were that week's bills from the famous butcher, Mr. Hacker, and we heard a recounting of the thousands of shekels she had sent him for the past month's food he handed out on her behalf. Still the proper hostess, we were treated to freshly-squeezed orange juice (from Clara's local "juiceman"), delicious roasted Israeli almonds and a plate of Bisli. But advancing years were taking their toll and no longer was Clara singing or dancing as she always did, and that was not lost on me as I said good-bye, perhaps for the last time.
And so - this Friday morning as many are preparing for Shabbat, I envision a beautiful woman, now in some other space perhaps, continuing her work and fulfilling her vision that no one should go without a proper Shabbat meal. Rest in peace, Clara. You have left a legacy that has touched more people than we will ever know.
2010-03-15 : “Bedtime Stories”
Mar 15, 2010
Bedtime Stories
For most parents nothing quite compares to those special moments when you tuck the kids into bed, snuggle beside them and read from their favorite storybooks. It is a magical time when everything in the house slows down and quiet is about to prevail.
Some parents do not get to experience this special time. It could be a work schedule that interferes or perhaps reading is not something that comes easily and they are embarrassed to show their children that they never learned to read themselves. But-as Pat Brisson a New Jersey-based children's author and librarian learned, there is another situation which keeps parents from engaging in this special activity. For parents who are serving time in prison and away from their children this special ritual is impossible to carry out.
In 2003 Pat approached the staff at a local women's prison about possible volunteer opportunities and they mentioned a reading program that would allow the women to bond with their children by recording books and sending the cassette and book to their child(ren) at home.
What a perfect match! Pat has been involved in Project Storybook since that time and when we spoke with her she described how meaningful it was for these women to connect with their kids in this way. An initial grant covered the purchase of the cassette recorders and volunteers work with Pat during the recording sessions. Somehow, whenever there was a need for some modest sum of money to buy more tapes, it almost miraculously appeared. We asked Pat if we could purchase a supply of books but she assured us that there was a huge inventory of books already available. What we could provide, though, were Spanish language books, which many of the women would read if they were available.
What a simple request! In ten minutes we had selected and ordered many new titles from the Amazon website and Pat just wrote with the following update...
Dear Naomi,
I just wanted you to know that all 22 of the Spanish books you ordered for Project Storybook arrived and they were out on the table for distribution last week in the maximum security area of Edna Mahan. Six have already been selected and will be recorded and mailed home this week. On behalf of the women who chose them and the children who will soon receive them, I send you sincere thanks.
Pat
2010-03-14 : “How Jelly Beans Become Mitzvahs”
Mar 14, 2010
How Jelly Beans Become Mitzvahs
A week before Purim we had a call from Judy Kuper Jaffe, Director of Education at Congregation Shomrei Emunah. Judy wanted to introduce a new activity at the upcoming Purim carnival--guess how many jelly beans were in a big jar. For $1 a chance, the winner took home the jelly beans but the money raised would go to tzedakah. Did we have any suggestions for where the proceeds could go and really connect her students with other kids?
It took about 30 seconds to suggest that the jelly bean tzedakah would be perfect to underwrite an end-of-school party for the kids at Beit Hayeled in Israel. I explained to Judy that Beit Hayeled is a safe haven for kids who have been removed from their homes by the courts due to abuse. Yitz Feigenbaum and Irit Zucker provide the kids with all of the love and support they could possibly need and a party complete with pizza and ice cream would be a great way to "connect" her students with the Beit Hayeled kids. To top it off, we even offered to match (or raise) whatever they collected just to be sure that a great party would result.
The school's check has arrived and we are looking forward to adding our share to make this special party possible.
2010-03-10 : “An Immediate Return on Tzedakah Investments”
Mar 10, 2010
An Immediate Return on Tzedakah Investments
It is not often that we can arrange a face-to-face meeting between one of our good people and some of the many religious schools that send us their tzedakah dollar bills and change. For our Israel programs this is even harder to do. But, when Alison Bermant, a teacher at North Shore Synagogue told us that she was going to Israel and wanted to meet Darla Oz, founder of House to House, we quickly made the connection.
We have mentioned Darla's work with very poor people in Jerusalem many times. A few months ago we asked several religious schools if they would create personal birthday cards for the Survivors Darla was involved with and Alison's class was among the first to send a beautiful set of cards. Now that Alison was going to Israel she wanted to meet Darla face-to-face and deliver a second batch of cards as well as some much-need tzedakah.
As you can see from the picture, Darla and Alison did meet and soon after Darla was putting those dollar bills and coins to immediate use when she bought new clothes for an elderly man who she recently discovered living alone in sub-standard conditions.
Talk about an immediate return on your tzedakah investment!
Yasher koach to Alison and her North Shore students!
2010-03-08 : “Those Amazing Quincy Kids-Part 2”
Mar 08, 2010
Those Amazing Quincy Kids-Part 2
A few days ago we shared with our readers the story of the student activists in Quincy, MA. and how our tzedakah investment helps them achieve their tikkun olam goals of changing the world. Read on to see how our gifts of stamps and office supplies were received. No question that this is one of the "biggest bangs for the tzedakah buck" that we get!
Dear Naomi,
YES!!!!!
The box from Staples arrived promptly, containing EVERYTHING on our Wish list. The box was promptly opened and the tools it contained were put into use immediately as the kids made posters for spreading the word inside the school about this year's projects: Haiti relief and homes/families for Ethiopian Orphans. Letters were also written to communicate with our 2009-2010 partners in these efforts: Partners in Health; St. Boniface Haiti Foundation and Selamta/Ethiopia. It has been hectic at Broad Meadows Middle School since the arrival of all that colorful, artistic effort and letter writing action.
Before the box was opened, I asked grade 8 leaders Julie Bloomer, Matt Baldwin and Brandi Isaacs to explain to the after school activism group why we were getting box mail. Brandi in particular told of the long history between The Quincy Kids and Danny, Naomi, Ziv and The Good People Fund. Brandi is quite aware of the history. I was very proud of her telling. I added a few stories as well. The students were humbled.
Then, the boxes were opened.
The tools inside the Staples boxes and USPS envelope were greeted with cheers as Matt and Brandi carefully removed them one by one. I've never seen envelopes and white out get cheers before, but now I can say it did happen. Out came markers, highlighters, pens, stamps, poster board, and more. Yippees and oh yeahs filled the air. Each tool's potential energy was cheered. Then a surprise was removed from the box: candy and pretzels! For the remainder of the 90 minute meeting, the room was filled with the sounds of kids working in groups, tools in hand and candy in mouths. When I walked around the classroom admiring the letters and posters, several students told me they were thinking about how lucky Broad Meadows Middle School is. Broad Meadows invites students to try to change the world each school year. My favorite was this: "Strangers send office tools so students can spread the word inside and outside the school that change is possible."
You will soon receive a thank you from the Broad Meadows students. In the meantime, please accept my sincerest thanks for igniting a frenzy of awareness raising on paper and on poster board.
Thank you so very much for your unwavering belief in, encouragement and support of The Quincy Kids who are dedicated to improving children's lives far away every school year. Without your help, that goal would be much more difficult to achieve.
Gratefully,
Ron Adams, teacher advisor
The Quincy Kids: A School for Iqbal
and
Operation: Day's Work-USA
2010-03-04 : “Matzah and More...”
Mar 04, 2010
Matzah and More...
With the last hamantaschen crumbs finally swept away, we knew what would come next....Passover, matzah and all that goes with it.
Nothing felt better today than making arrangements to send thousands of dollars to the Rabbanit Kapach's "matzah man" in Israel. Though we have lost track of the actual number of years, we suspect that she has been distributing her Pesach food packages for close to 50 years and if you were to count the number of people in Jerusalem who have benefited, we believe that the number must be high into six figures, perhaps greater. Matzah, oil, nuts and more...the basics for a sweet holiday that is so centered on food that without this help so many people would not experience its joy.
Along with this very special tzedakah "investment", we also completed arrangements for the purchase of thousands of dollars of supermarket scrip which will go directly to dozens of needy families in Israel as well as to several Holocaust survivors here in the United States.
It was really a good day in the tzedakah business. Now-if only I could find someone to do my shopping...
2010-02-28 : “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”
Feb 28, 2010
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
In 2006, Gloria Baker Feinstein was already an accomplished photographer but had decided to direct her considerable skills to documentation for non-governmental organizations (NGO's). To further that goal she found herself in Uganda visiting orphanage after orphanage, each filled with children left on their own after AIDS had decimated what they knew as family. The images that Gloria captured on that trip were not soon forgotten when she returned to her Kansas City home and family.
Within a short time Gloria knew that she had to do something - the children's images and the seeming desperation of their lives could not be erased from either her mind or her camera. In 2007 she began Change the Truth, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of the 190 children who now call St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Motherhood home.
Change the Truth and its dedicated volunteers are committed to the welfare of these children and do so in the most direct, effective and hands-on manner possible. In addition to the funds sent to underwrite food, medical needs, clothing and other basics, the children's education is a central part of their focus. About two dozen young people are provided with scholarships to underwrite their secondary education and one is even studying nursing. Others are provided vocational training and opportunities to ensure stability in their lives.
There are several things about CTT that we found to be particularly outstanding and helped us decide to offer Good People Fund's support. When we initially asked Gloria for more information about her work we were pleasantly surprised and impressed to receive a comprehensive log which records all donations sent to the orphanage and receipts for the items those donations covered. We also saw reports and updates for all of the scholarship students assuring that they were taking their studies seriously and proceeding according to plan. Equally impressive was the fact that Gloria and her volunteers travel to Uganda every year and while there perform critical hands-on work to benefit the kids and the orphanage. This type of transparency is vitally important to us and our donors when we become involved in a program that is so far away and where we may not have the opportunity to see the work first-hand.
In our conversation with Gloria prior to last December's trip we asked where our tzedakah money might make the greatest impact and she shared plans of upgrading the school's computer lab with some used computers which had just been donated to them. When I asked her if a new laptop would be of interest, Gloria was thrilled. We were so pleased to see not only the new computer we underwrote but also the happy faces that were obviously enjoying the benefits of this new tool.
We suggest you visit http://changethetruth.org to see first-hand Gloria's beautiful images and very special work. If you are impressed with what they are doing we also suggest you purchase a copy of Gloria's beautiful book, Kutuuka, in which her photographs chronicle the dreams and drawings of these beautiful children.
2010-02-19 : “Harvesting Apps”
Feb 19, 2010
Harvesting Apps
Last August we shared our excitement about AmpleHarvest.org, the creation of Gary Oppenheimer, a New Jersey-based master gardener who realized that the bounty of backyard gardens could become a meaningful source of healthy food for our nation's food pantries and soup kitchens.
In the past six months we have been dazzled by the strides Gary has made in advancing AmpleHarvest.org's mission. The number of food pantries and soup kitchens that have joined AmpleHarvest.org's registry has grown exponentially... AmpleHarvest.org was recently recognized by the US Department of Agriculture and, the one advance we are most excited about is the new iPhone app which allows gardeners to locate nearby pantries and kitchens that would welcome their extra harvest. The app was made possible with a grant from the Good People Fund and when we tried it we were really impressed! Imagine standing in your garden, pulling out your iPhone and locating a nearby facility to take your tomatoes, cukes and other fresh produce. We know this investment will go a long way in helping to feed the more than 49 million Americans who are currently struggling to find enough food.
Even Business Week picked up the story...http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/news/article.asp?docKey=600-201001281758KRTRIB__BUSNEWS_26550-49E0JPEPCMF3N7R55321ASSK5O¶ms=timestamp%7C%7C01/28/2010%205:58%20PM%20ET%7C%7Cheadline%7C%7CBRIEF%3A%20iPhone%20app%20connects%20growers%2C%20food%20pantries%3A%20Program%20uses%20the%20phone's%20built-in%20GPS%20system.%20%5BThe%20News-Sentinel%2C%20Fort%20Wayne%2C%20Ind.%5D%7C%7CdocSource%7C%7CThe%20McClatchy%20Company%7C%7Cprovider%7C%7CACQUIREMEDIA&ticker=AAPL:US )
Further confirming our satisfaction was one app user who recently wrote:
This app is really well designed. What a great program! Attractive! Easy to use! It throws a bunch of push pins into a Google map to locate all local food pantries. AmpleHarvest.org promises to regularly update as they are sent info on additional food panties. This could easily become a means for the hungry to get wholesome food from their neighbor's surplus -- everywhere in America! If you have ever gardened, you know that there comes a time when there are just too many cucumbers, tomatoes, etc. Won't this app come in handy!...
2010-02-17 : “Those Amazing Quincy Kids”
Feb 17, 2010
Those Amazing Quincy Kids
We firmly believe that when you want something done, particularly the almost-impossible, you ask kids to do it because they never stop to think that it might be impossible or even nearly-impossible. They JUST DO IT!
The kids we have written about many times in this diary are the students at Broad Meadows Middle School in Quincy, MA. The Quincy Kids have been involved in student activism and improving the lives of children around the world since they first met Iqbal Masih, a young Pakistani child who had been indentured as a rug weaver and spent his days tied to a loom, creating beautiful carpets. Once hearing Iqbal's story and then learning of his subsequent murder, Broad Meadows students and their dedicated teacher, Ron Adams, vowed to change the world. Over the years we have always offered them the tools to allow them to carry out their work. We had not heard from the kids since school began last September and then, just this afternoon, we received the following email from Ron Adams. Read on--Ron's words never fail to warm the heart and give you hope for a better world...
Hello Naomi,
How are you? The Quincy Kids and I are hoping 2010 is treating you well.
We are fine, but tired, and we need some help from some "Good People." Why are we tired?
The school year at Broad Meadows Middle School began with a record 60 middle school students joining our Kids' Campaign (founded in 1994 to keep alive the dream of a martyred child slave).
Each year as you well know, the children here partner with children in a dozen or so other US schools and we partner with one reputable non-governmental organization to bring freedom, education and health care to children in a developing country in memory of Iqbal Masih. We call our annual project Operation Day's Work or ODW for short. One is the operative number. Each school year, the children involved choose ONE country, ONE non-governmental organization in that country, ONE project designed by the people in the chosen country, and the thousand children involved in the dozen member schools work ONE day for that project and then donate their ONE day's pay to the project. A thousand children in our dozen member schools times $30 each adds up to enough to make a project into a reality each school year. So far, we have successfully established such projects in eleven countries in Central America, Africa and in Asia.
So, in late 2009, the kids studied the 10 project proposals received this year.
In November of 2009 the kids' voting results revealed they had voted to partner with the non-governmental organization,Selamta, and to make "Homes and Families for Ethiopian Orphans," as our annual ODW aid project. This project will provide THIS YEAR 70 orphans with three things every child needs: a family, a home and an education. Currently, 5 million orphans are warehoused by the thousands in Ethiopia. This year's project will change the lives forever of 70 of those orphans by providing them with nine brothers and sisters, a step-mom and a step-aunt, and a brand new home. We hope to raise awareness of the 5 million orphans of Ethiopia in this year's project. Helping 70 may not seem like much, but the alternative is to do nothing or do something. This year, as they have done since 1994, the Kids' Campaign voted to DO SOMETHING. (Think "Legend of the Starfish" )
Naomi, 2010 started with such high hopes and big plans for repairing the lives of orphans in Ethiopia, then at 5 P.M.'ish on January 12th, that 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti. On January 13th, The Quincy Kids (aka ODW aka The Kids' Campaign) voted to put on hold the Ethiopia campaign for ONE month. The number ONE was replaced by the number TWO. The Quincy Kids decided they would double their efforts and help people in TWO countries this year: Haiti and Ethiopia.
From January 12th to February 12th, Broad Meadows students organized the school and the community in a month of fund raising for Haitian earthquake victims.
For a drawing, local businesses donated prizes such as Red Sox tickets, a signed Patriots jersey, a Wii, dinner certificates, and more. A donation jar was set up in the cafeteria. Teachers sold mini bottles of water in classrooms. Over $3000 was raised and donated to our last year's ODW partner "Partners in Health." Last year's annual project coincidentally was free education for 2000 children in Haiti and free health care for their families. Everything seemed so small in comparison to the 200,000 dead and millions homeless in Haiti in 2010.
Last Friday we handed our donations to Partners in Health. Now, we are going to resume our fund-raising for the Ethiopian Orphan Project with Selamta. Some might say enough has been done this school year. Some might say the community cannot support another global aid project in the current recession. Some might be experiencing donor fatigue. However, at last Friday's after school activism meeting, the Broad Meadows students voted to immediately resume the 2010 Ethiopia campaign. (I love these kids! They want to change children's worlds and nothing can stop them!) I have total faith in these kids, but in helping Haiti, they wiped out their "tools for change."
They need some help.
Dear friends, Naomi and The Good People Fund," I hope you can consider restocking some of the tools used up in January and February.
To raise awareness of their Ethiopian "Homes and Families for Orphans" campaign (February to June), the kids compiled a list of supplies they "wish" they had:
white poster board
white out
3 different color highlighters
stamps
colorful markers
pens
a 6 foot vinyl sign to hang where they perform community service
9x12 envelopes
and 2 bus rentals: one to take them "Child Labor Free" shopping at the nearby mall in May,as well as one more bus rental on April 3 to take them to the ODW Regional Conference in Vermont where they will meet with the head of Selamta (this year's elected Ethiopian orphan project)
Those are The Quincy Kids' needs.
One never knows what is possible until one tries. The Quincy Kids are trying to change the world (a little) twice this year.
If you can help, we never needed it more.
You had previously written to us back in the Fall asking what our 2010 wish list contains. I hesitated in compiling the list; I hoped this would be the year The Quincy Kids would stand on their own, without their guardian angel, Naomi. However, it is winter, and the kids need help helping others.
I am blessed to work with such idealistic, big-hearted, young activists.
I am blessed to watch these kids use ordinary business supplies to educate and motivate others to action.
The kids are blessed by the encouragement you provide.
You always show faith in these kids.
For the many, many blessings you have provided, I thank you...
I love these kids and their activism,
Ron Adams, proud teacher adviser to
Operation Day's Work (aka The Quincy Kids' Campaign)
Broad Meadows Middle School
Quincy, MA USA
How could we not help these kids? The needs are modest and the impact so great in so many different ways. The orders have already been placed and when the kids return to school on Monday they will have all the tools they need to begin their newest project--helping Ethiopian orphans gain a better life.
2010-02-16 : “Jews in Cuba (part 2)”
Feb 16, 2010
Jews in Cuba (part 2)
Earlier this month we shared the story of June Safran's Cuba America Jewish Mission-CAJM (February 2, 2010) and the tzedakah the Good People Fund passed along to them for their upcoming trip to visit the Cuban Jewish community.
June just sent us a fascinating report detailing what she saw in that country and how the Jewish community is thriving despite the daily hardships they incur.
Though long, we thought you might want to get a better first-hand glimpse of life in Cuba, 2010. We found it to be very interesting and informative.
(by the way--the picture above was taken at the Tu B'Shevat ceremony June writes about.)
Enjoy!
...
The communities we did visit are stronger than ever in their religious commitment to Judaism. They celebrate holidays and Shabbat and study Jewish subjects, but unfortunately, the provinces lack the teachers and study materials to do consistent studies. They all have some kind of library, and we brought several hundred dollars worth of new Jewish books in Spanish to augment their collections and hopefully inspire the members. ...We found the spirit very positive in each community and learned that the JDC is beginning studies for conversion for people in the provinces. Many are married to a Jewish person or are children or grandchildren of a Jewish person, but either from the father's side or Jewish males lacking the brit milah...
The people we met are seriously involved in their respective synagogues, meeting for weekly services in all three synagogues and daily services at Adath Israel, the Orthodox Synagogue. We visited Adath Israel one evening and about 15 men filled the men's section and I sat with 6 women behind the glass wall. After services, everyone had a small sandwich and drink (probably their dinner as dinner is usually a small meal), and then they headed home. There is a preschool and after school class run by a Jewishly well-educated woman who just returned from Israel where she and her husband studied Orthodox Jewish life for six months... He is also trained to sheckt both chickens and beef and to be the mohel, as he is the only shomer Shabbat man in Cuba. The only mikve in Cuba is located in the building and the only kosher butcher shop is three blocks away and newly renovated, thanks to a couple of large donations of friends from the U.S.
Centro Sefaradi in Havana is doing well... The community is not growing much but is maintaining its numbers and taking good care of the members, particularly their seniors. ...
Both the adult and children's Sunday school is well attended... We went with them to the Tu b'Shevat tree planting activity in a park in Miramar... They planted twelve trees, watered them, and sat down in classes to discuss the holiday with their respective teachers.
Social group meetings are happening every week in Havana. Centro Sefaradi just finished a yearlong Jewish cooking class and is beginning a quilting and embroidery class based on Jewish subjects.
The Patronato could be called the Cuban Jewish Federation and JCC. There is a youth center for those between 15 and 30 years old. It has a lounge with TV and computers for games, a small kitchen, and a meeting room. Next to it is a storeroom for humanitarian aid received from visitors and a leaders meeting room. At the back of the building, there is a gym with exercise equipment, a room for classes, and bathrooms with showers that serve all members who choose to use it. The main room is the social hall for Beth Shalom, el Gran Synagoga de la Habana that is part of the building. This is where the community has its meals, many groups meet, and various events take place for the whole community, not just the Beth Shalom members. There are many groups visiting this time of year while the weather is cooler. They come into the Patronato carrying their many large bundles of medicines, clothing, over the counter supplies, etc, and drop them in a designated space before sitting down with President Adela Dworin to learn about the community. Meanwhile, upstairs, above the synagogue, next to the Sunday school classrooms and the ORT sponsored computer lab, Dra. Rosa Behar and her two helpers are busy in the pharmacy, organizing the medicines, stocking the shelves, and filling prescriptions for anyone, Jewish or not, who has an Rx. In addition, Jews are given vitamins and over the counter supplies. The shelves are filled with many medicines but lack many others. Vitamins, antibiotics and asthma medicines are in short supply. There are not enough vitamins for everyone in Havana so the people in the provinces receive very little. The other big shortage is adult diapers. Baby diapers are available to buy, as are baby wipes, so we don't have to schlep them; but adult diapers are impossible to get anywhere. The Bottoms Up program started by Dra. Behar and the Cuba-America Jewish Mission, serve 62 children and their mothers from birth to 3 years old with the help of our friends here in the U.S. We supply diapers, baby wipes, vitamins, and baby toys and ask everyone we know who is going to do the same. After three, the children are taken care of by the JDC through the Sunday school. There are also 6 special needs children with problems of autism, MS, and Downs syndrome. We also help with the needs of these children...
Outside the Jewish community, we observed changes both for the better and worse. Transportation is better...There are also newer cars, mostly government and foreign owned, along with the old classics and the falling apart Ladas. Intercity buses are good and always on time. There are also special buses for traveling tourists but since Cubans can also ride them, there are few seats available...
It feels like half the citizens are repairing homes or planning to do so, and many are buying new furniture. We suspect this is because many have relatives visiting from the U.S. and supply the family with money. There are also many people with cell phones. It costs 10 CUC ($12) every three months but doesn't seem to stop people. One sees people talking on cell phones everywhere. This is wonderful because there is a great shortage of land lines so many people have not had phone service before this.
The biggest downside in the country is the lack of food variety and health care services. The shelves in the markets are almost empty, being filled with a repetition of the same items. One store might have pasta, another might have some frozen meat and lots of hot dogs. There were no chickens available in Sancti Spiritus when we were there and no eggs available anywhere in Havana the following week. We could not find napkins, peanut butter, or cheese, but could find mayonnaise, sodas, beer, rum, frozen dessert, jam, and sometimes pasta. There were lots of oil and tomato sauce and a good selection of olives and even canned sardines in tomato sauce. Sometimes, there was bread in the market, but there were also bakeries around and everyone can get their ration card bread even though they don't particularly like it. People get most of their rice and beans in the ration store. They usually can get soap for washing and sometimes there is toilet paper...
Lack of food, medical care, psychiatric hospital, lack of doctors and nurses, lack of supplies and cleanliness, frustrations... the situation is not good for most Cubans...Many Cubans, both those dealing with the health system and doctors working in it complained about the problem. The main complaint of doctors was lack of supplies and cleanliness. They are very choosy where they will go for surgery. There is a shortage of doctors now that so many are being sent overseas and there is a shortage of nurses because few people choose this field of medicine. There are seldom sheets in the hospital and everyone must bring food for their relatives as well as do most of the nursing. There are no adult diapers and some hospitals don't even have catheters in ICU units. There is a shortage of medicines and even syringes. The current scandal is a situation in the psychiatric hospital which used to be the pride of Cuba and praised throughout the Spanish speaking Americas. The director died a few years ago and since then, the hospital has fallen into disrepair. The hospital windows are broken; there is little food for patients, and hardly any blankets. Early January, when a long and severe cold wave hit, 28 patients died from exposure. Citizens are livid and talk about heads rolling.
Karate and Tai Chi have become popular with classes both indoors and in various parks. Movies are popular, as always, and the week we were there, the big movie was Bastardes Sin Gloria (Inglorious Bastards). On January 27th, there was a national commemoration of the end of the Holocaust In ceremonies and on TV, and both newspapers and TV were reporting on the Israeli aid to Haiti. The Jews of Cuba are very proud.
Finally, Aliyah continues but the level of Jewish education means those who go have developed a commitment to Israel and feel Jewish. Thus, they are more likely to bond with Israel and continue their Jewish practices even if language or lack of family make life too difficult and they move on to Florida or Spain. Both in Israel and Florida, we find that people might stop going to synagogue but continue to celebrate holidays and Shabbat. In Florida, we spent time with one family where the 10-year-old boy is going to a Jewish day school and we are friends with another Florida family where the girls are going to a day school and they live in a building full of Israelis. All the Cubans we met in Florida are working hard to make a new life and all miss their communities in Cuba. Thus, they continue spending time together...
2010-02-10 : “Searching for Roots”
Feb 10, 2010
Searching for Roots
What I saw on my trip was astounding -- we brought aid to so many and could see the results of our help over the years. Some were doing well as a result, much improved. Especially if they had at least one family member. For those who are alone the situation was bleak -- the poverty is unimaginable. They are far worse off than I dreamed. Alone and forgotten, in small huts that are falling apart (literally), with no other aid given. We were greeted with every kindness and they insisted we share their meager foodstuffs. ...We felt like the cavalry in an old western. It was an honor to be the messenger of so much generosity and goodwill.
This is an excerpt from a recent email from Zane Buzby, a Hollywood comedy director whose resume includes such TV hits as Golden Girls and Blossom. It was Zane's search for her family's roots in Eastern Europe that changed her life forever. Upon arriving in Lithuania, she witnessed the extreme poverty experienced by (some of) the thousands of remaining Holocaust survivors who live their last days without sufficient food, medical attention or other basic needs. How was it possible that these people who had experienced such pain and torment in their younger years were now left forgotten by most of the world?
This question stayed with Zane long after she returned to the comfort of her home here in America. The faces and the stories of the elders she visited would not go away and she soon knew she had to do something. With the help of her dear friend Chic Wolk who agreed to provide the necessary funds, and Professor Dovid Katz of Vilnius University who first introduced her to some of the survivors, Zane began The Survivor Mitzvah Project in 2004. The program's goals are simple - distribute modest sums of money directly to these survivors so that their lives might be just a bit easier.
When we spoke with Zane right before her December, 2009 trip to the region, we could not miss the excitement and the passion in her voice as she described the many individuals she has met in her previous trips. We could also hear her frustration knowing that she could not possibly provide for every one of these survivors. The Good People Fund committed funds for Zane to deliver to those she would meet on this trip.
The report Zane sent us recently included the first paragraph of this diary entry as well as some beautiful and poignant pictures of the elders she met. We suggest you visit http://survivormitzvah.org to learn more. This is a meaningful program that surely does save lives.
2010-02-09 : “Cold in Jerusalem”
Feb 09, 2010
Cold in Jerusalem
"Your check arrived in time to pay for the electricity bills for heating and it will (also) enable me to assist the families with medication, tutoring and so many other needs...."
With love,
Zev
This belated letter from Zev Birger arrived a few days ago. Several years ago Zev and his late wife, Trudi (z"l), were approached by Teddy Kollek, then the mayor of Jerusalem, and asked if they would "adopt" some very poor families in the Romema section of the city. Since that time, the Birgers have helped many, many families not only with food, clothing and other basics, but also with education costs.
More recently, Zev decided to provide many families with electric heaters to help warm their cold and drafty apartments during the cold winter months. Mindful of the dangers of kerosene heaters, Zev believed that this would be an effective solution to the problem. The only downside are the increased electric bills which most families cannot pay from their meager income. The Good People Fund continues to provide some much-needed tzedakah money to help meet this critical need.
With no staff, no overhead, Zev's needs provide a perfect way to use our donors' tzedakah.
2010-02-04 : “Pas de deux...and more.”
Feb 04, 2010
Pas de deux...and more.
In the work that we do, we can always be certain of emotional highs and lows. Some days, the juxtaposition of those feelings can occur within hours of each other. Today was one of those days.
The morning email brought me pictures of smiling little girls in their new ballet shoes. The girls all live in a small development town in Israel and we connected with them through Sophie, a young woman we know who is doing her National Service in that particular town. Sophie works with the schools in the morning and helps run the community center in the afternoon. Since she herself loves ballet and has studied it for more than 15 years, she thought it would be a great idea to offer a special ballet/dance class for two groups of girls aged 8-11. All the girls come from very poor families and many are recent Ethiopian immigrants. The biggest problem would be finding the funds to underwrite the cost of some ballet slippers and perhaps, some tights. When Sophie wrote us, we knew this was a tzedakah opportunity we could not pass up and sent her out to find the best deal she could for her new students. Before long we were talking to a Jerusalem ballet store, arranging payment for twenty sets of shoes and tights for the budding ballerinas. As promised, Sophie sent us some great photos of the girls in their new attire. What a great tzedakah investment!
Within a few hours of receiving Sophie's beautiful pictures we received an email from a social worker we know--also based in Israel. Her problem? She is working with a single mother whose husband is not living with the family but continues to threaten that he will kill her. They have no bars on their 4th floor apartment and no money to pay for them. Could we help?
So the day goes...
2010-02-03 : “Jews in Cuba”
Feb 03, 2010
Jews in Cuba
"You are a life saver. Until that check arrived, I did not know how I was going to pay for about $300 of various Rx of eye drops that had been requested and already charged to the credit card. We still have one more to buy tomorrow. The rest of the money will go with me to Cuba for the various needs I encounter..."
So began a letter we just received from June Safran, the founder and inspiration behind Cuba American Jewish Mission, an all-volunteer organization that is dedicated to the revival of Jewish life in Cuba. We have worked with June for years and know that whatever funds we give her will be used quickly and efficiently on behalf of Cuba's small but very vibrant Jewish community. Medications, baby supplies, help for an autistic child, cultural programs and more, are all part of CAJM's efforts.
2010-02-02 : “Tragedies”
Feb 02, 2010
Tragedies
There is no question that the vast amount of work we do is joyous and nearly always brings a smile to our face. After all, what could be bad about helping people?
And yet, on a rare occasion, we are called upon to help in what can only be described as a tragedy. That was the situation one morning a few weeks ago when we opened an email from Pam Koner, founder of Family to Family, which directs its work to helping people who live in rural poverty in communities around the country.
Pam had just received a request from one of her contacts in a Navajo community in New Mexico. The story was simple but incredibly sad. During the night of January 10 a fire broke out in the home of a community member. In addition to the parents, there are 7 children between the ages of 2 and 18. Killed in the fire was a five year old daughter and seriously injured was a developmentally disabled seven year old who was airlifted to an Albuquerque hospital. In addition to housing, the family needed help with providing a proper burial for their young child. Could we help?
How could we not?
2010-02-01 : “Bat Mitzvah Mitzvahs”
Feb 01, 2010
Bat Mitzvah Mitzvahs
"Dear All,
My name is Julie and my bat mitzvah was on November 7, 2009. I wanted to donate some of my bat mitzvah money to your fund because I really admire what you do. I hope this helps!!
Julie :):)"
That was the note that came in today's mail along with a very generous check which Julie and her family decided should be used to provide books and other materials for the kids at Beit Hayeled in Israel. Julie is a great lover of books and reading and, in addition to donating books to several places near her home, wanted to help kids in Israel, as well. Yitz Feigenbaum at the group home tells us this will provide a lot of new and interesting resources to the kids living there.
We couldn't be happier about making the connection, thus allowing Julie to share her interest in books with kids who might otherwise not have this opportunity!
2009-12-18 : “More About Puzzles”
Dec 18, 2009
More About Puzzles
On October 6, 2008 we shared the story of Max Wallack, a young man from the Boston area who had just celebrated his Bar Mitzvah. It was Max's mitzvah project which got our attention. Remembering his great-grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer's and lived with Max and his family for a time, Max decided to collect puzzles and donate them to local nursing homes. It seems that after a little research Max learned that for patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's doing puzzles can be very helpful - what a great way to honor his great-grandmother's memory.
Fast forward to December 2009...much has happened to Max and Puzzles to Remember. As he had promised, Max, working on his own, filed for and received federal non-profit status for Puzzles to Remember (in a record 4 weeks!) and has since gone on to win several grants to help him with his work. He has now collected thousands of puzzles, expanded his beautiful web site which we recommend you visit (www.puzzlestoremember.org), is donating puzzles to several veteran's homes, and just this week was notified that he has qualified as a Giraffe by our friends at the Giraffe Project in Washington State!
Despite our offer to help Max with some of the shipping expenses he incurs he refuses to accept any funding from the Good People Fund. As he has mentioned several times, "there are way too many hungry and sick people who need your help. I will get more grants to help me with my expenses."
We can't help but wonder what Max will be doing next...
2009-12-15 : “...A Little Extra Food”
Dec 15, 2009
...A Little Extra Food
While this photo reminds most people of life on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in past generations, we know that even today, many elderly Jews still call that area "home." One of our favorite tzedakah opportunities comes to us twice each year from Project Ezra which offers social services to more than 400 frail elderly in the area. For so many of these lonely elders, often beset by physical and emotional problems, having sufficient nourishing food on the table, day after day is not always easy. Limited income frequently means that as the end of the month nears, there are fewer dollars to spend on food.
The solution is relatively easy. With the cooperation of the local store, each elder who qualifies receives a monthly allowance of $30 (or $360 yearly) to spend on food when their own funds have been depleted. The $2700 check we sent the market today will cover 15 people for the next six months. (We've just added two more people to the list) A pretty good arrangement, we think, and one we would love to expand if the resources were available.
2009-12-14 : “Romanian Clowns ”
Dec 14, 2009
Romanian Clowns
We have written often about Dr. Neal Goldberg and his troupe of professionally-trained medical clowns, Lev Leytzan-Compassionate Clown Alley. This group of young adults has delivered their special clowning talents to many places here in the States, in Europe and in Israel, bringing smiles and a little bit of happiness to lonely, ill or disabled people wherever they travel.
This past October we shared the story of the group's trip to Eastern Europe and the impact their visits had on many elderly and isolated Shoah survivors. They were so welcome, in fact, that a new invitation to return was on the table if they could get the funding to make it possible. At the time we offered to match up to $1000 of any support they could attract to make the trip possible, and before long Neal reported that he had successfully raised even more than our original $1000 challenge.
Well - the clowns departed last week and an email I received from the group this morning confirms that the trip is having the impact they hoped it would have on both the clowns who are traveling with Neal and on the people, both young and old, who are enjoying their antics. In addition to their performance at the local Café Europa (a social club for Survivors) and a nursing home (for survivors) the group:
...spent the morning at nursing home, an institution with adults with dementia and a senior facility. The boys worked hard - room visits, impromptu shows. The afternoon and evening has been spent working with institutionalized kids..., a shelter for abandoned and abused kids and children's hospitals ... what an incredible day!
We are so happy to have helped make this trip possible. Neal's group has proven over and over the many benefits of medical clowning.
2009-12-13 : “Hanukkah Bikes”
Dec 13, 2009
Hanukkah Bikes
For 12 kids in Jerusalem, this Hanukkah may be the best ever.
For years, Karyn and Zehava, two friends in the Baka neighborhood have worked in the simplest and quietest way possible, taking on the responsibility of helping to feed and clothe several other families in their area. They lead a group of neighbors who provide monthly food packages for nine needy families, all of whom are vetted by a social worker and all living in extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
We were asked if we could help with some Hanukkah gifts this year, and as in the past, we were excited about what we might make possible with Karyn and Zehava's suggestions. Karyn wrote that they had thought long and hard about buying toys that would no doubt be tossed aside, broken or forgotten, in a short time. They came up with another idea that, after some thought on our part, we quickly agreed to support. So - this morning, there are, we hope, twelve kids sporting colorful safety helmets, riding shiny new bikes through their neighborhood, all made possible by the kindness of our donors and the generosity of the local bike store!
2009-12-11 : “Soldiers' Lives”
Dec 11, 2009
Soldiers' Lives
Through our work with Randi Cairns, the founder of Home Front Hearts which provides advocacy on behalf of, as well as awareness of, the needs of military families, we just learned about a young soldier (a 3rd generation military person--even Mom has served!) who was returned to the States from his second tour of duty in Iraq. Found to be suffering from an aggressive brain tumor (Randi tells us this is not so rare among more and more soldiers serving in that region) "Dave" has recently undergone surgery and radiation and is now in the midst of a difficult chemotherapy regimen which will hopefully put his cancer in remission.
What happens to Dave's family while all of this is going on? He is being treated at a military hospital thousands of miles from home and his illness is not considered an injury so he is dealt with differently than those who have sustained injuries. In this soldier's case, his Mom has left her home and her job to be at his side, and while she did receive some military benefits (as a "non-medical attendant") those have now ended. She is behind in her rent, her car payment and has nothing left in her savings.
Randi shared the following exchange with Dave's Mom:
... I also have rent due and a car payment. If you have any funds, those are my needs. If you don't have any means to help me, then I certainly understand. I know that God will somehow make sure our needs are provided for. After all, he sends people my way just like you! Just when I don't think I can make it ... it happens. No matter what Randi, I'll never lose my faith and that is important. I've quickly learned to put things in their proper perspective. God, family and all the rest! :)"
The Good People Fund has stepped in and paid the overdue rent and next car payment. After all, isn't it the least we can do on behalf of a soldier and his family?
2009-12-09 : “Boston First Aid”
Dec 09, 2009
Boston First Aid
It was twenty years ago when Bob Housman, a Boston-area resident, came to realize that many Jewish people in that city were in distress and no agency, private or public, could step in to provide them with significant help for their emergency needs. People were, indeed, falling through the cracks and serious short-term, immediate needs were not met.
As with so many of the "good people" we work with, Bob felt that he just had to "do something". He could not just ignore what was happening around him. Yad Chessed was Bob's response to this void and since that time the small organization has raised and distributed more than $3,000,000 to provide food, clothing, help with housing, medical needs, interest-free loans...the list is long and often, when such needs are unmet, leads to even more dire circumstances.
Yad Chessed works in the simplest way possible. Other than a recently added part-time social worker, there is no staff, no advertising, and minimal bureaucracy. As referrals come to them they are investigated and if assistance can be offered the needs are addressed quickly and efficiently.
In a conversation we recently shared with Yad Chessed's board chair, Marc Fogel, we learned that the organization is also laboring with increased emergency needs presented by the current economic situation. When Marc mentioned that in addition to the "usual" demands, they were now dealing with two single parent families, both functioning fairly well until job loss and illnesses took their toll and forced the parent to lose their home(s) and one now finds refuge in his car every night. How could it be, we thought? Both parents were working and yet could not reverse the misfortune that had fallen upon them. We doubt that this is an unusual scenario today.
We have offered Yad Chessed funds to underwrite specific needs for each of these families and hope that by working with them we might actually stop the downward spiral each is experiencing.
2009-12-08 : “Who's Helping the Helpers?”
Dec 08, 2009
Who's Helping the Helpers?
By 7am this morning I had already opened four emails, two from programs in the US and two from Israel, each discussing situations that can best be described as tragic and incredibly sad. One involved needs for soldiers who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with serious issues that are not being met by government resources; another involved two single parent families, both functioning fairly well until job loss and illnesses took their toll and forced the single parent to lose their home(s) and find refuge in their car every night. In Israel, a single Mother working a menial job but still able to care for her family, finds herself overwhelmed by the costs involved with addressing one child's unexpected medical needs. She is facing the loss of her utilities and has so few resources that putting food on the table has become almost impossible. A second situation in Israel describes families that cannot afford to turn on their heaters or pay for their medications.
If this scenario which I describe was unusual, I would not be concerned. In the 16+ years that I have been involved in tzedakah work, never have I witnessed this kind of desperate need. Some way or another we have always been able to meet the need. This morning I am not so sure of that - not sure at all.
As I speak with others who do similar work I learn that they too are overwhelmed and frustrated. If only I could heed the advice I was offered a few minutes ago...
"As to the general situation... You have to focus on what you can do (and have done) and not on what the need is. Otherwise you can easily become overwhelmed and disheartened."
It is "bad out there". Hopefully we will be able to help more than we have to turn away.
2009-12-07 : “Better Than a Hallmark Card”
Dec 07, 2009
Better Than a Hallmark Card
Last May we shared the story of House to House, a small Israeli organization that provides for the needs of many elderly people in Jerusalem. In that diary entry we explained that Darla Oz, House to House's founder, had visited a former hotel which now houses elderly survivors who rarely celebrate birthdays. We immediately committed funds to provide the elders with some treats on their birthdays. When Darla wrote a few months ago asking if we could possibly help her with birthday cards we knew just where to go. Within a short time we had contacted teachers at several religious and day schools across the country and asked if they could help.
Before long, packets of cards started to appear and we have been forwarding them on to Darla in Israel who is placing one in each birthday gift. We thought you would enjoy seeing the work of students at the Rashi School in Boston who, under the guidance of their amazing teacher, Stephanie Rotsky, the school's social justice coordinator, produced some pretty amazing cards that would make even Hallmark a bit jealous!
We thank all of the schools that responded to our appeal and look forward to providing birthday cards for these elders, hopefully, for many years to come!
2009-11-18 : “A Real Sense of Community”
Nov 18, 2009
A Real Sense of Community
Last week we returned from a three day trip to the tiny town of McRoberts, Kentucky, located in what is commonly referred to as Appalachia. McRoberts has a population of about 800 people, drastically reduced from the thousands who once populated this former coal mining community which thrived until the 1950's when coal production started to diminish.
McRoberts is rural America. "Downtown" has no traffic lights, only a handful of functioning storefronts, no banks, no movie theater, a small general store. Unemployment figures in the town are above the national average and the average per capita income stands at about $23,500, well below the state average of about $40,000. More than 55% of the population has less than a high school education and many families have little or no means of transportation.
As we traveled to McRoberts it was obvious that many factors helped to explain the region's unique problems. Driving west from Charlestown, West Virginia you get the sense that you are entering a physically beautiful region but most definitely one that is extraordinarily remote. It was as if we were driving into a cocoon with mountains towering over us on both sides. Town after small town came into view but concentrated commerce was almost non-existent. Sporadically, fast food restaurants and a Wal-Mart or K-Mart were the main attractions. With little difficulty one could see the effects of mountaintop removal mining and when we spoke with residents there was much more that we learned about the devastating impact of coal mining in southeast Kentucky.
The purpose of our trip was to visit McRoberts Elementary School and deliver a 53' trailer of new merchandise; all donated by our friend Ranya Kelly and her Redistribution Center in Denver. McRoberts Elementary School is led by Ms. Kristie Collett and almost every child in the school comes from a lower socio-economic background. Ms Collett and her staff have worked hard, with sparse resources to produce a school that is both warm and welcoming. It is obvious that she and her staff care about the students (a few more than 70 now enrolled) as well as the building itself. Despite the age of the school, its leaking roof and very well-used furniture, the halls are welcoming, filled with bright colors and positive messages directed to the students.
Over the course of the two days it took to unload this huge trailer, sort the thousands of items it held, and then distribute them to the school families and elders in the community it quickly became apparent that there was something unique and positive about this little town. Despite its many problems and serious lack of resources, McRoberts' residents have developed a true sense of community. Members of the Community Center, who joined in as volunteers, proudly shared the successes they had achieved in finding grant money to build a community center, a playground, a new walking track and so much more. There was a spirit here that perhaps is common in very small towns...we don't know? Whatever its origins, we were so happy to offer what we could and look forward to the many other ways we will assist the school and the town as they struggle to provide for the community.
Shortly after we returned home, we received the following email from Ms. Collett.
First of all, thank you so much for blessing our small community. I have had such positive feedback form the event. Everyone really appreciated the items and was amazed at the quality of such items...
We are already thinking about a return to McRoberts. What can we do next?
2009-10-22 : “Military Wives”
Oct 22, 2009
Military Wives
Randi Cairns is a military wife. Not the kind who lives on a military base amid other wives and families who share the common thread of a spouse who has been called to duty in Iraq or Afghanistan or some other far-off post. No--Randi and her husband and four children live in a suburban New Jersey neighborhood surrounded by other families where Mom or Dad, or both, usually go off to a job each day and return home for dinner.
Randi's husband is a "weekend warrior", a member of the National Guard who, until 9/11, went off to serve for a weekend a month, and a few weeks in the summer. Along with so many other things that changed in this country after that terrible day, National Guardsmen found themselves called off to active duty far from home and Randi's husband was one of them. Randi was left on her own to raise the kids, (you really have to read her description of the day she-8 months pregnant, on crutches because of a broken leg-- took the three kids to the supermarket!) be both Mom and Dad, deal with daily crises and worry about her husband's well-being and safety while he completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan. As Randi so aptly told us, "The communities where the typical Citizen-Soldier lives don't understand the 24/7 implications of being the ones left behind when a Soldier is called to serve."
Home Front Hearts was Randi's response to what she knows are the areas where military families could use support from their local communities. In the midst of raising her family, working a part-time job and doing what every other mother of four does, Randi started this organization not only to raise awareness of the needs for these families, but also to become a clearing-house for services for the Citizen-Soldier family. From our first discussions with her, we could not help but be impressed by her passion and her commitment to this mission. By providing Home Front Hearts with a new printer and some other simple office equipment we hope to have sent this fledgling program on its way to assisting military families in important and meaningful ways. Check out the web site to learn more about what she has done. http://homefronthearts.org
2009-10-21 : “A Good Laugh for a Good Cause”
Oct 21, 2009
A Good Laugh for a Good Cause
Several months ago we shared with you the story of Casting for Recovery, an organization whose goal is to help breast cancer survivors recover, both physically and emotionally, through the unique benefits of fly-fishing...a sport which uses just those muscles most affected by breast cancer surgery. We told you about the Alaska chapter of CFR and how we offered them a matching grant so that they could hold their fly-fishing retreat for breast cancer survivors this past July.
We were surely impressed with the Alaska women-they completed our challenge and then some, and went on to have a successful retreat. Well--we recently received word of one of their new fund-raisers and we could not help but share it with you.
"Foundations for Recovery," is a truly special collection of bras that have been "artistically interpreted" by 22 local artists. In addition to raising awareness of Casting for Recovery, a silent auction will be held to raise funds for the Alaska group's coming retreats.
The picture above is one of the bras being auctioned, and...yes, you guessed correctly--it is entitled, "Training Bra"! (check out the wheels!)
I knew the Alaska group was special when I worked with them...I just didn't know the bounds of their creativity!
2009-10-15 : “Everybody Loves a Clown”
Oct 15, 2009
Everybody Loves a Clown
It's an old song title, but says it better than anything else..."Everybody Loves a Clown", and no one knows this better than Dr. Neal Goldberg a psychologist with a keen interest in teens and the difficulties they encounter as they grow to adulthood. Previous diary entries have told the story of Neal and his organization Lev Leytzan-Compassionate Clown Alley which offers medical clown training to many teens and young adults in the metropolitan New York area.
In addition to Lev Leytzan's local programs which bring the clowns to hospitals, nursing homes and even to schools where they run a very successful fire-safety program for school-age children, the group has one additional program that we especially admire. The Ambassador Program brings these talented teens to what can best be described as "emotionally needy" communities outside of the United States, particularly in Eastern Europe. In the past the group has visited countries such as Hungary and Romania, in addition to their annual trip to Israel.
To truly understand the significance of the Ambassador Program we want to share the story of a visit the clowns made to an elderly Shoah survivor in Hungary this past summer. The woman, disabled and confined to her 6th floor apartment, received the clowns and was able, even briefly, to forget her loneliness and traumatic past. When the group began to take leave of her apartment, she immediately begged them to get her copies of the pictures they had taken while frolicking around. In fact, her request was more like a pleading as she exclaimed, "I want to remember! I want to remember!" What a special gift these kids left behind.
So, when Neal recently shared that the clowns had been invited to visit Berlin in a few months, but that the costs of the trip would be prohibitive, we knew that we had to help. The Good People Fund offered Lev Leytzan a $1000 matching grant, provided they could gather a similar amount. Today, Neal wrote to say that he had not only matched the $1000 but actually exceeded it by raising an additional $450! It looks as if these compassionate clowns will be spending some winter days in Berlin. We have no doubt that they will leave smiles on the faces of many of the elders and kids they meet there.
2009-10-08 : “What's REALLY Going On Out There”
Oct 08, 2009
What's REALLY Going On Out There
Sometimes you get an email or a letter that describes a situation far better than one could imagine and that is what just happened when I opened an email from Jeannie Jaybush who runs Baby Corner in Seattle. We have shared their work several times in this diary-- Baby Corner serves as a resource for local social services who deal with families (with few economic resources) that have a new baby and cannot afford many of the items needed to help with caring for a new infant (or older siblings). Jeannie, a co-founder, is one of the angels who run the program.
Read what she says-it is a little frightening.
Hi Naomi,
...thank you for the sox & pj's. We were down to giving each kid 4 pairs of sox. And with the number of little sox that can be lost in the dryer 4 pair ain't gonna go very far. It's wacko here again. We only rarely give out grocery store food cards. Usually totals about $500+ per year. Since the economy tanked the requests have more than doubled. Food stamps have been cut, people are out of work & the food banks don't have enough to go around. When a food card is needed I usually give it to the nurse or social worker & tell them to go to the grocery store & get the food & take it to the baby.(Then they're supposed bring me the receipt.) That way they KNOW that the kids are getting the food that they should be eating & not just junk. On Tues. afternoon I stopped at the grocery store & got 4 more food card for $25 each. By10:45 AM I'd given away $75 of the $100. In the first 6 months of 2009 we gave out almost double what we gave out all year in 2008.
Is it just me? Or is something very wrong. The nurses are getting more cases of serious & severe malnutrition. One family has 2 teenagers that are the size of 6 & 7 year-olds. At the dawn of the 21st century in the USA? Grocery store cards help, but they surely are not the answer to all of this. It's scary to watch some times. Makes me realize how close all of us are to a disaster. (I honestly didn't mean to dump on you this way. I'm just trying to figure out what to do differently that would help stop this runaway problem.)
And, now you've read the longest e-mail in history. Guess I have to learn to not be so wordy...thanks for understanding!
As always,
Jeannie
We doubt that the situation is Seattle is much different than anywhere else. We are just happy that donors have allowed us the opportunity to help places like Baby Corner as they work on the true frontline.
2009-10-07 : “For Want of Some Bus Fare”
Oct 07, 2009
For Want of Some Bus Fare
For the M's, an Ethiopian family living in Netanya, Israel, life has always been difficult. With six children between the ages of 4 and 15 even small emergency needs can throw them into an economic crisis. When one of the children recently developed a paralysis in his legs due to a blood clot, the continuing two-month hospitalization has brought chaos and serious financial disruption to the family. Each parent takes a shift at the hospital (the mother during the day, and the father at night, after he returns from work) which requires over an hour's ride in each direction on public transportation. Each month, this expense comes to more than $400 so that for the past two months the family has had to find more than $800 from an already meager income to cover these critical costs.
When we read about this situation in a morning email from Anne and David Silverman, who both help run the Forgotten People Fund-an all-volunteer group that works in Netanya where there is a large Ethiopian population, we knew we had to step in. A quick call to Anne confirmed that this was a case that they were having great difficulty trying to help and our offer to cover two months of this expense was gratefully received.
Anne went on to explain that with the recent economic downturn, even more Ethiopian families are experiencing great difficulties trying to feed, clothe and provide for themselves. Over the past year, FPF volunteers have become part of a Rapid Response Team which was set up by the municipal social workers with whom the organization has a close relationship. A volunteer is assigned to each district and when a social worker in that district comes upon a serious issue that needs immediate attention, the volunteer is called and goes to investigate. Once they confirm the need, the Forgotten People Fund steps in to underwrite the expense.
What a great system this is and what a fabulous group comprises the Forgotten People Fund. This immediate triage helps to prevent bad situations from becoming worse and offers the families some sense of relief that they are not alone during this difficult time.
We ended our conversation with Anne by telling her that she should not hesitate to contact us when a specific need was beyond their means. If we can, we will gladly use the tzedakah money donors have entrusted to us just for these very types of situations.
2009-09-29 : “Football Food”
Sep 29, 2009
Football Food
When the New York Jets trounced the New England Patriots on Sunday, September 20th it was not just the local fans that enjoyed the huge array of available food the Izod Center sells during sports events. Thanks to our good friend, Syd Mandelbaum, founder of Rock and Wrap It Up!, local food pantries and soup kitchens are able to feed hundreds of people with the concessions' leftovers.
As we picked up our local paper (The N.J. Star-Ledger) this past Sunday what a great surprise it was to see the front page headline which described Syd's work. Since it is true that a picture is often worth a thousand words, we suggest you follow this link to the great video which tells this story.
http://videos.nj.com/star-ledger/2009/09/leftover_food_from_giants_stad.html
Now that Syd has taken on the food vendors inside the stadium, we wonder if anyone has thought about the bounty of food that goes to waste out in the parking lot where tailgate parties abound?
2009-09-24 : “Soldiers' Holiday”
Sep 24, 2009
Soldiers' Holiday
"At the restaurant, I was, once again, struck to see how young these soldiers were. I noticed a young man who was painfully thin and asked our liaison at the hospital about him. He explained that his wounds were not visible but rather he had suffered extensive internal surgeries and was now just beginning to be able to enjoy normal food. Some of the soldiers were wearing artificial limbs and they were in the process of receiving rehabilitation treatments to teach them to how use these aids properly. Each soldier had his own story to tell. After being in the hospital for so many months, the group was delighted to be able to share this weekend together. Several other diners at the hotel reported that a wonderful time was had by all."
These words came to us this morning from Barbara Silverman, founder of A Package From Home, which has been providing for the general welfare of Israel's soldiers for almost 10 years. In addition to the thousands of packages of food and warm clothing which the organization has delivered, last year Barbara began the Soldiers' Respite Weekend Program which brings several of Israel's severely wounded soldiers to Jerusalem for a wonderful holiday weekend. This break from their ongoing and exhaustive medical treatment is just what the doctors ordered and Barbara tells us how excited and grateful the participants were.
This year's program was held two weeks ago and this morning we received Barbara's report on the program's success as well as several pictures attesting to the soldiers' enjoyment. We are sure that a few nights at Jerusalem's beautiful Inbal Hotel went a long way to restoring some happiness and peace of mind to the soldiers who were part of the weekend.
Nothing makes us prouder than to be part of Barbara's amazing work. She is a special woman with tremendous energy and a passion for helping where she can.
2009-09-21 : “Holiday Food Revisited”
Sep 21, 2009
Holiday Food Revisited
Right before the holiday began (September 14, 2009 Diary), we wrote about the many people who were going to enjoy a festive celebration because of the funds we were able to provide for supermarket gift cards. We had forgotten to mention one other group that we were able to help in Israel, and when I opened on of this morning's emails, this picture was a reminder of another group that benefited from our donors' generosity.
The young girls in this picture are part of the all-volunteer group that works with Darchei Tzion, a small food pantry located in Beit Shean, one of Israel's poorer communities located in the area of the Jordan Valley. Best known for its amazing archeological sites, Beit Shean is also home to many poor families and individuals who struggle to survive. We met the good people who run this pantry through our friend Yitz Feigenbaum who co-directs Beit Hayeled, the group home for troubled children on nearby Kibbutz Meirav. When we visited Israel last winter we were impressed with the very simple but effective efforts Darchei Tzion makes on behalf of the residents of this city. The fact that the group relies on many volunteers to accomplish their goal of easing hunger, only made their efforts more appealing.
With Yitz's help, we were able to provide the funds for the purchase of some of the food that went into the packages (actually, lots and lots of schnitzel!) and this picture (along with several others we were sent) shows just what a volunteer-effort this is.
We were honored to be able to be part of their good work!
2009-09-14 : “A Little Brisket, A Little Honeycake”
Sep 14, 2009
A Little Brisket, A Little Honeycake
Dearest Naomi
Received today the tlushim! (supermarket gift cards) As always your help is in the right moment. Be blessed by all the families that will enjoy holiday, thanks to you
SHANA TOVA
Much love,
Zev
This was one of the many emails we discovered this morning as the day's work began. It is from Zev Birger who helps many, many poor families in the Romema neighborhood in Jerusalem. The cards Zev received from us only this morning are now, no doubt, in the hands of the individuals who will shop for holiday food in the next few days. Zev is one of several "angels" we rely upon to distribute the cards where needed.
With the holidays fast upon us, we have been busy buying supermarket gift cards both in Israel and here in the States and getting them into the hands of people we know who would otherwise have a difficult time preparing a festive meal for themselves and their families. Due to an unexpected generous donation which came to us last week, we were thrilled to be able to increase the number of people who received this extra help for holiday food.
Here in the States, I just mailed off many envelopes filled with gift cards for local markets. All went to Shoah survivors or Second Generation men and women who live on very meager incomes and for whom holiday shopping would be difficult.
As we all sit down to our holiday meals this coming Shabbat and weekend, we are grateful for the generosity of our donors who have allowed us to provide others with this same simple pleasure.
2009-09-09 : “Say Cheese-The Update”
Sep 09, 2009
Say Cheese-The Update
I am coming to the end of a long day at my desk but the phone call I just received could not have made me happier or more firmly convinced that the work that we do makes all the difference to so many people, many of them lonely with no one who really cares about their well-being.
The call was from Darla Oz who with her husband, "Oz", runs House to House in Jerusalem.(http://housetohouseisrael.org). Back on May 11, I shared the following story in this Diary:
...While catching up with Darla in an early morning call today, we learned about a small hotel in Jerusalem which is home to almost 200 elderly Shoah survivors, many of them ill and lonely. Darla shared that in a conversation with the social worker at the site; she learned...that for many of these elders birthdays are rarely celebrated-no gifts, no cards...just a lonely day like any other. The social worker also told Darla that many residents wished that the local grocer (who brings basic food items to the hotel lobby each Friday so that everyone can come down and shop) would include some fresh cheese in his weekly visits. They truly missed enjoying a piece of fresh cheese! In about 30 seconds Darla and I decided that each of these residents should enjoy a nice chunk of fresh cheese, and what better time for them to receive one than on their birthday! Darla also asked if it would be possible to get birthday cards for each of them and we promised we would enlist as many teachers as possible in this simple act of chesed.
This afternoon, Darla called to tell me how she and her friend, a cab driver, made their way over to the hotel with the first batch of gifts for all birthdays recently celebrated. The gift bags were beautiful. Darla had enlisted some women at the local women's shelter who wrapped the soap bars with paper donated by a local shop, and another nearby shop had given Darla a deep discount on the jars of preserves (there were 10 flavors to choose from!). All Darla needed were the birthday cards which she managed to have done by two Russian women that she knew, along with a third that she met on the street!
The social worker called each resident down on the house phone and one by one they received their little gifts. (we should tell you that not one of these elders is younger than 80!) Nothing prepared Darla for the comments. One elderly man who is suffering from cancer and has had an arm amputated and has sight in only one eye, came for his gift and holding the bag in the stub of his arm, told her "I've never received anything at all...". Another elderly woman shared that it had been 40 years since she had last gotten a birthday present...
One additional comment Darla shared with me really hit me...she reminded me that so often the sparkle in our elders' eyes dims as they age; in each of the people who came for their gifts you could not miss the light that shone when they opened their packages and saw the cards. It must have been a truly beautiful experience.
By the time this little mitzvah reaches all 197 residents of the hotel we can only imagine what comments, what joy and what happiness we engendered. Who would have thought?
PS-We are excited to add that the remaining birthday cards are going to be made by kids in several religious school classes here in the States and will be mailed to Darla so that she can put them in the next batch of gift bags.
2009-09-01 : “Back to School in Israel”
Sep 01, 2009
Back to School in Israel
It is hard to believe, but it is the first of September and in Israel schoolchildren are returning to their classrooms today...hopefully excited, though likely sad that the summer has ended and the real work begins.
For many families in Israel the beginning of school brings a new set of worries-how do they pay for school books and supplies? Unlike here in America, families must pay for their kid's textbooks. When you add the cost of paper, pens, crayons and everything else that is needed, the burden can be too great for many, particularly families who have endured the never-ending trauma of terror attacks from prior years. Though years may have past, the economic and psychological impact never really ends.
For one woman, now a widow after her husband's death at the hands of a terrorist while at work, the burden of providing her child with the textbooks needed for school is more than she can handle.
For another youngster about to enter the fourth grade, returning to school was something she did not want to do since she had been using some of the same supplies from her younger days and was now embarrassed by their juvenile appearance. Being in the fourth grade meant she should have things that were more "grown up".
One family of seven is still dealing with the serious losses they endured after their home in Sderot was hit by a Katushya rocket. They now have to live in a small apartment and both parents are without work due to cutbacks and the time they needed to take from work to help their children deal with the trauma of the attacks. For this family buying school supplies was beyond what they could afford.
We learned about these families and others through our friend Karyn London, the social worker who works with terror victims at ATZUM. (http://ATZUM.org) We know that whatever funds we send will be used quickly, efficiently and with the greatest respect for the recipients.
2009-08-28 : “It Really Was a Homerun (Update)”
Aug 28, 2009
It Really Was a Homerun (Update)
On January 6 of this year we shared the story of Homerun Hopefuls, a small program begun by Brett Kalikow, a young man from New York. In 2002 Brett, then a teenager, was vacationing with his family in the Dominican Republic. A big baseball fan and player, Brett left his resort in search of a local baseball game. As we shared back in January..."Nothing quite prepared him for what he discovered. Baseball, we know, is a very popular sport in the Dominican but sadly the way it is played is not always what we may recognize here. When Brett came upon a game, he saw kids using milk or juice cartons for mitts, rocks for balls and sticks for bats. The first thing Brett thought of was how much equipment he and his friends back in New York had lying around. Shoes, bats, balls, mitts, jerseys, t-shirts...who didn't have tons of this in the basement, the attic, or stuck in the back of a closet? The answer was simple."
We loved Brett's idea and contacted him immediately. After learning more about his work we donated funds to help underwrite his collection and distribution for this summer.
How excited we were to get Brett's email last week. Along with some great pictures of the trip, including the one above, Brett reported that he had 8 collection drives this year, half of which were organized by teenagers who learned of Homerun Hopefuls and joined the effort. Brett and two teens traveled to the Dominican Republic in July bringing with them the following very impressive list which was distributed to 20 baseball leagues and school programs in the very poorest parts of the country...430 baseballs, 117 gloves, and 197 bats, in addition to sneakers, socks, t-shirts and pants.
If baseball is your passion why not contact Brett and see how you can help? Brett tells me that he already has two Bar Mitzvah kids on board for this year's collection. We are sure he would love to have even more equipment to distribute on next year's trip to the Dominican Republic. (http://homerunhopefuls.org)
2009-08-26 : “A Little Girl and her Horse”
Aug 26, 2009
A Little Girl and her Horse
It was not difficult to hear the sadness and disappointment in Anita Shkedi's voice when she called recently to share that she had lost funding for one of her longest running therapy groups at INTRA-Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association. The loss of funding was directed to the therapy she offers to the severely disabled. (http://intra.org.il) Here was just one more example of how the economy was affecting the most vulnerable. Anita shared that it was this group for whom the wonders of therapeutic riding seemed to make the most difference. Though the changes were often slow to come about and might seem insignificant to those of us who are able-bodied and independent, in truth, the therapy's benefits were huge.
Anita went on to tell me the story of one of the riders who was affected by this loss of funding-- the beautiful little girl in this picture. Her name is Hila and she has CP (Cerebral Palsy) which leaves her partially paralyzed with little control over the right side of her body. After numerous surgeries she is still unable to open her eyelids and daily activities are beyond her abilities, though she can occasionally utter words she learns at home or at the INTRA center.
I could hear the pride in Anita's voice as she shared Hila's progress as well as the sadness knowing that it was all going to come to a quick and sad halt. Since Hila has been with INTRA she has learned to recognize her horse and even calls its name when she comes to her lesson. She can sit on the horse with the help of several staff and even take part in games which help her with her stability, self confidence, and motivation. During the therapy sessions she is encouraged to communicate verbally and non-verbally with the horse and this has taught her to stop the horse by lifting her left arm slightly. Grasping the reins and bringing the horse to a halt gives her a real sense of power and being in control. Despite the need to rely on her therapist and helpers, she has recently learned to use her left leg to encourage the horse to move.
Though we could not help all of the riders who were now unable to gain the benefits of therapeutic riding from Anita's very professional staff, we could underwrite the cost of one and promised to send the funds right away. Perhaps it will be Hila and she will one day walk on her own? If you have ever watched therapeutic riding as it is carried out, it is not too hard to imagine such a miracle.
2009-08-25 : “Take Me Out to the Ballgame...”
Aug 25, 2009
Take Me Out to the Ballgame...
We have written about Syd Mandelbaum and his organization Rock and Wrap it Up! many times (http://rockandwrapitup.org). Originally created to retrieve leftovers from performance venues, Syd's work has grown in amazing and creative ways. From identifying new sources of leftover food which would otherwise go to waste, to sponsoring significant legislation that requires all federal buildings that serve food to retrieve leftover food and get it to local food pantries and soup kitchens, Syd's dream of ending hunger in this country is becoming more and more realistic.
We were excited to see the following article in the New York Times last week. It tells a great story about America's favorite pastime, about Syd's passion and creativity when it comes to feeding hungry people, but, perhaps most important of all, the story of how one man who has never forgotten his own hungry days, works on Syd's behalf.
Read on...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/sports/baseball/16stadium.html?emc=eta1
2009-08-24 : “Summer Camp Smiles”
Aug 24, 2009
Summer Camp Smiles
Nothing can beat the smiles of a summer camp experience. Most of us have enjoyed it either personally or through our own kids' involvement in this traditional summer pasttime.
The kids in this picture, though, have multiple reasons to be excited about their summer camp. They are all part of the African Refugees Development Center (ARDC) program which is providing a summer camp for many of the children of African refugees who reside in the Tel Aviv area. (http://ardc.wordpress.com/) On February 18, 2009 we shared the story of Yohannes Bayu in this diary. Yohannes himself was a political refugee who fled Ethiopia and waited more than five years for the State of Israel to grant him political refugee status. Yohannes' very personal experiences led him to respond to the plight of the thousands of African refugees who have arrived in Israel over the past few years and he founded the ARDC.
This past spring Israeli lawmakers considered several laws which would have either imprisoned or deported the vast majority of refugees including children, many of whom were born in Israel and know no other country. It was the efforts of ARDC and several other human rights' groups that placed a temporary halt to this legislation while a more acceptable solution could be found.
With the reprieve came the need to provide some kind of activities for the many, many kids who would otherwise endure the hot Tel Aviv sun with nothing to do. It was here that we stepped in to help when Yohannes wrote that one of his most pressing needs was for funds to enhance the summer camp. We knew that this was something we wanted to do! As Yohannes wrote when he sent this picture...
The program is going fantastic, the kids are so happy, we all are so happy because of the success that we see. Thanks to you. The entire ARDC staff and 15 volunteers who are involved in this summer program are so happy to see such a successful program with the children.
We couldn't be happier!
2009-08-13 : “More Than the Iditarod-A Great Update”
Aug 13, 2009
More Than the Iditarod-A Great Update
"What a wonderful weekend I had! You folks certainly spoiled us. It was a positive experience for me to meet other women who have/have had breast cancer. You suddenly realize you are certainly not alone. Although I don't mean to diminish my experience, because it WAS traumatic and very frightening, other women have gone through so much more than I. I made some new friends, laughed a lot, looked inward, ate tooo much, and learned a great deal about fly fishing. I didn't think I would like fly fishing as much as I did. Floating around on the lake and casting as though I knew what I was doing was great. The only thing missing was a latte! The staff was very helpful and patient with us. Thank you so much for inviting me and making me feel so welcome!"
These were the words shared by one of the breast cancer survivors who participated in the Alaska Casting for Recovery retreat which took place last month amid idyllic surroundings in the vast Alaska wilderness. Casting for Recovery helps women recover, both physically and emotionally, through the unique benefits of fly-fishing...a sport which uses just those muscles most affected by breast cancer surgery. Couple the physical benefits with a weekend retreat in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded not only by other women experiencing the very same turmoil, but also volunteers who are committed to making the event transformative in every way, and you have a winning combination.
As we reported in this Diary on March 17, 2009, the Good People Fund offered a challenge to the Alaska chapter of the national Casting for Recovery program--we would match up to $2500 for any new funds they raised this year. By all reports we received the challenge was just what this group needed to succeed. Cheryl Kline, one of the organizers reported "that your challenge particularly struck home with me and encouraged me to go after the $5 to $50 donations -- and provide some more creative fund raising opportunities to encourage that."
We are so happy that the Good People Fund was part of the effort to make this weekend retreat a success. The Alaska group was a pleasure to interact with and we were thrilled to learn that next year they hope to sponsor two retreats which will allow even more women to participate-it seems that Alaska's immense size makes it especially important to offer the experience in more than one location!
2009-08-06 : “What's in Your Backyard Garden?”
Aug 06, 2009
What's in Your Backyard Garden?
It's the beginning of August and here in New Jersey home gardeners are starting to reap great rewards from their careful tending of the backyard garden. Zucchini, tomatoes, peppers and beans are in abundance, along with basil and many other delicious fresh herbs, vegetables and fruits. Once you have made your tenth zucchini bread and served tomatoes in a dozen different ways, NJ gardeners and their counterparts throughout the country now have an important resource available to them to help share their bounty.
AmpleHarvest.org is the brainchild of Gary Oppenheimer, himself a master gardener, who recognized that this seasonal bounty, grown by millions of home gardeners across the country, could help to ease the very serious needs we have today with an ever-growing number of people throughout the country who cannot afford to feed themselves and their families. Even if you are fortunate enough to get food from a local pantry or food bank, it is not likely that there will be fresh produce available. Using some creative mitzvah thinking, Gary developed the idea of creating a registry of all pantries and soup kitchens across the country. Home gardeners faced with more fresh produce than they could possibly use need only visit his site, find the nearest facility and drop off their excess produce. You can help not only by donating your excess crop but also by urging your local pantry or soup kitchen to visit http://ampleharvest.org so that they can register.
Gary recently sent us an email with the following thoughts. We think that they bear repeating here:
We are encouraging people to take a copy of http://AmpleHarvest.org/downloads/GardenShop.pdf to their local garden shop, nursery, lawn and garden section of their Lowe's/Home Depot/Sears/Wal-Mart, hardware store, etc. to ask that the store manager post it by their cashiers or in another conspicuous location. People are also posting it on the public bulletin boards in their supermarket, library, house of worship, health club, etc. Anything you can do to help publicize this would be very helpful.
Although many people are concerned about their own economic situation, the AmpleHarvest.org campaign enables Americans to help their neighbors by reaching into their backyards instead of their back pockets.
The Good People Fund has offered Gary help with his all-volunteer effort and has agreed to spread the word to as many people as we can. Won't you help too? Visit http://ampleharvest.org to read the entire story of this creative and very important effort to combat hunger in this country.
2009-07-27 : “Mitzvah Sheep”
Jul 27, 2009
Mitzvah Sheep
We all know about four-legged creatures that do mitzvahs...there are horses that provide therapeutic riding for kids and adults with many different disabilities, and then there are guide dogs who work primarily with blind people. We've even met a few mitzvah cats. But, sheep?
The sheep pictured here is one of an entire flock (yes, when you have more than one sheep it is called a flock!) of 15 fiber animals that are raised for the beautiful wool they produce. This particular flock calls Queens, New York (one of Manhattan's five boroughs) home and their wool has been offered to Warm Woolies, (http://warmwoolies.org), a small non-profit The Good People Fund has worked with this past year. Warm Woolies was the creation of Kimberly Turnbow, a Denver attorney whose love of knitting led her to use her talents on behalf of others. Warm Woolies provides hand-knitted wool garments for children in orphanages in the Former Soviet Union as well as children growing up in a few Native American communities not far from Denver. All of these beautiful garments are created by volunteer knitters across the country.
Kimberly wrote us a few days ago with several exciting pieces of news. The first was the decision of the Queens Zoo to spin the wool from these beautiful animals into fiber which will be sent to Warm Woolies which will then turn it over to some of their volunteers to create new warm garments.
The second piece of news in Kimberly's email shared:
Lands' End and Warm Woolies FeelGood Knitting Campaign
Lands' End and Warm Woolies have partnered to kick off a national knitting campaign to create warm items for homeless families on tribal reservations. We are looking for 150 knitting volunteers willing to knit with the exclusive Lands' End FeelGood yarn. We will ship the yarn directly to volunteers.
The initiative is part of a national campaign to support the new collection of FeelGood sweaters and accessories sold at Lands' End and landsend.com. For each FeelGood item purchased beginning on September 1st, Lands' End will donate yarn to knitting volunteers across the country in an effort to warm up homeless families across the country.
Talk about FeelGood! If you are a knitter, be in touch with Warm Woolies. So many people will be warmer this coming winter if you sign up to use your knitting skills on behalf of tzedakah and mitzvahs!
2009-07-23 : “Down the Block”
Jul 23, 2009
Down the Block
It was just about a year ago when Wendi Weill, a long-time resident of her community, began to hear unsettling stories about local residents that seemed to reflect the effects of the serious economic turmoil that has engulfed most of this country. Was it possible that an elderly woman sat in the dark as evening approached because she feared her utility bill would be bigger than she could afford to pay? Was it possible that an ill father didn't purchase his medications because he wanted to use his limited funds to buy food for his family?
Wendi's community is, in many ways, idyllic. Known for its (largely) high per capita income, an excellent school system and excellent quality of life, Wendi was stunned when she approached local social services that corroborated exactly what she was learning.
What should she do? As a community, don't we have some responsibility for each other? Some compassion? These were her neighbors, possibly people just down her block and no other agency existed for just this type of short-term, emergency situation. Within a few months, Wendi gathered others who shared her concern and Down the Block began.
When the Good People Fund learned about Down the Block we were impressed with its focus as well as the very real possibilities that this model could be adopted by other communities where neighbors feel a responsibility for those who may have fallen on hard times and may really be...just down the block.
The Good People Fund's donation to this fledgling group was used to pay an unpaid utility bill for a man who had worked his entire life but was forced to lose his business after serious illness struck. Though he had a job waiting for him after he had medical clearance from his doctors, the utility company was threatening shut-off. Our tzedakah was used to pay that bill as well as another utility bill for a single mother who was faced with a $2500 utility bill after the company learned that her meter had been faulty. Though the utility was willing to work out a reasonable payment plan, she still needed $600 up front.
How many of us know what is going on down our block?
2009-07-22 : “Diapers”
Jul 22, 2009
Diapers
In her Jerusalem neighborhood, the Rabbanit Bracha Kapach is known as an angel. (though we suspect that description is shared by people throughout the tiny country who know of her work).
We think of her as a one-woman social service organization. Her life is dedicated to mitzvahs and tzedakah and it has been that way since her very first act of chesed, performed while she was still a youngster in her native Yemen. Despite the advancing years, the Rabbanit continues her legendary work - a summer camp for city kids who would otherwise have little distraction from the long hot summer days on Jerusalem's streets; Passover food for thousands of poor people who might otherwise not be able to enjoy the holiday and its food-focused traditions; daily knocks at her door by people who just cannot provide sufficient food for themselves and their families.
Along with the canned goods, fresh challah, and other basic food, we know that the Rabbanit is always in need of diapers. Yes! Diapers. For many young struggling families, the cost of diapers is just beyond their reach and an extra pack will sometimes make the difference when deciding to use your limited resources to buy food or medicine or the all-important diapers.
The picture above shows the Rabbanit standing on her mirpesset (balcony) at about 7am this past Monday morning, amidst the 40 packages of diapers that we had purchased and delivered to her door. Our friend Shira, who arranged for the delivery, told us how happy the Rabbanit was and how happy her families will be when they learn that she can once again provide this costly but necessary item.
As we suspected, Shira also shared that before she left, the Rabbanit offered her many blessings and even asked her to pass along a few to the Good People Fund and the many donors who made this mitzvah possible.
2009-07-16 : “The Dream of True R-E-L-A-X-A-T-I-O-N…”
Jul 16, 2009
The Dream of True R-E-L-A-X-A-T-I-O-N…
If you have ever had the chance to sit in something called a Snoezelen room, you know what true relaxation really is. I have had the experience many times while visiting Shalva, a very special program that provides respite care for profoundly disabled kids in Israel.
While reclining in a Snoezelen room, you are exposed to various calming sensory stimuli-it could be aromatherapy, warm lighting, soothing sounds...tranquility is the ultimate goal and you usually experience it shortly after entry.
Our opportunity to become involved in a Snoezelen "mitzvah" began with an email from Second Wind Dreams (see Tzedakah Diaries April 28, 2008, July 9, 2008), an organization which helps to make dreams come true for residents in closed-care institutions. As part of Second Wind's new partnership with Harrah's Foundation, nursing homes (that adopt the Second Wind program) in certain parts of the country where Harrah's has a presence will benefit from Harrah employees who commit to volunteering in these homes. When Second Wind was in touch with a New Orleans' nursing home that was now part of this partnership they learned about the home's wish to provide the Snoezelen experience for some of their dementia residents. Experience has shown that exposure to the room's calming stimuli can have a positive effect on those who experience the often-frenetic and disorienting symptoms of dementia.
Would the Good People Fund be willing to help Second Wind provide the funds for this? You bet!
And we did...
2009-07-15 : “Fun Money”
Jul 15, 2009
Fun Money
The war that broke out in Israel last December brought many civilian casualties as even more Kassam rockets fell on the southern part of the country. One of those casualties was a young boy named Avi who despite the severity of his injuries, continues to recover. At first, doctors believed that he would not survive-and yet he did. As his condition improved, their dire predictions of severe brain-damage and poor motor skills also proved wrong.
After immediate care in a local hospital, Avi was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Jerusalem where intense therapy continues today.
Throughout this entire trauma, now more than seven months later, Avi's family tries to cope. Both parents had to stop working, a younger child was left in the care of a grandmother and everyone continued to make the long trip from Beersheva to Jerusalem several times each week.
Through the generosity of others, Avi's family has received various types of critically important help to meet their needs, but what they really needed was some "fun money".
What is "fun money"? "Fun Money" can pay for a cab ride and entrance to the beautiful Jerusalem zoo. Or perhaps, two tickets to the movies to see the latest Disney film. For some people, "fun money" may seem of no real consequence. Our experience is that it is just these simple and seemingly easy acts of kindness that make all of the difference in the life of someone like Avi and his family.
So - when we received an email from Karyn London, the social worker who works on behalf of ATZUM (http://atzum.org), an excellent Israel-based organization dedicated to helping survivors of terror attacks, asking if the Good People Fund might be able to fund some special activities for Avi, the answer was an immediate, "Yes"! Karyn has just written to update us on Avi's condition and was happy to report that despite some physical and emotional setbacks, his first trip to the zoo was due to take place this week, soon to be followed by a therapeutic riding session and even some bowling! (he can sit on the floor and roll the ball).
As this picture shows, Avi did go to the zoo, accompanied by Karyn's son Yona, and we told Karyn to let us know when the first $150 in "fun money" is used...we know that donors will sign on to help us replenish this special mitzvah!
2009-07-14 : “Shoshana and Diana”
Jul 14, 2009
Shoshana and Diana
Shoshana (pictured on the right) and Diana (on the left) have been friends for many, many years. In fact, for both of them pretty much all they have is each other. Shoshana is 78 years old and as we learned from Avshalom Beni, founder of HAMA Israel... "This remarkable little lady embodies the trials and tribulations that many Holocaust Survivors must undergo in Israel today." Diana, though blind and aging herself, lived as Shoshana's companion until one year ago when age-related difficulties forced Shoshana into an Israeli old-age home where the rules were clear and the sign even clearer-NO PETS ALLOWED!
When Avshalom (see Diary entry June 17, 2008) learned of Shoshana's situation he knew that something needed to be done to reunite these two special friends. Just exactly what could be done remained the problem. As Avshalom wrote to us:
"For the last year we have taken care of her dog and have visited with Shoshana regularly, so that she knows her only remaining "family companion" is still alive. Most rest homes in this country remain unmoved by substantial research attesting to the importance of animal companionship for the elderly. Shoshana's separation from her dog, Diana, has been very stressful for her, since this dog has been her only companion for the last eleven years. This stress has all the more been compounded by placing her in a room with patients suffering from dementia without any signs of communication and socialization. The effect is clearly demoralizing and debilitating. Shoshana has no surviving family. She is a wonderful loving human being but she is basically alone."
There was one solution that would bring these two friends together to hopefully live out the rest of their years in love and companionship. If $17,500 could be raised, the old-age home would give Shoshana her own room and Diana could return to her loving friend.
With the help of friends and others who heard this beautiful love story, the funds were slowly raised. When we heard that Avshalom was close to his goal but not yet there, the Good People Fund offered a challenge - find a donor who will cover half of the final amount needed and we will come up with the remaining tzedakah needed.
We are happy to report that Avshalom did find that one donor and within the week Shoshana and Diana will be together once again.
We all know what they say about dogs being a man's best friend...indeed they are!(but sometimes mere mortals have to step in to help)
2009-07-09 : “Why We Do What We Do”
Jul 09, 2009
Why We Do What We Do
It is only a little past noon right now but this morning's conversation keeps coming back to me and reminds me how little most of us know about hunger, despair, isolation...
My phone conversation was with Lois Tackett who, with her husband Ralph, runs Manna From Heaven, a food pantry in Myra, Kentucky. We have shared the story of Myra in this diary many times in the past (May 8, 2008, September 4, 2008 and May 28, 2009). Once a booming coal town, Myra's residents today live with very little hope of a better life. Jobs are non-existent and food scarce. Lois shared that in the past several months more than 1300 men in the area have been laid off and the prospects for jobs are limited at best.
When I shared with Lois that we were going to make a visit to see what the Good People Fund could do to bring some help to the area, she was moved. But - when I asked her if she was having difficulty finding enough food for the pantry she shared that lately, she and her husband (living on very limited income themselves) were trying to cover the costs of renting a truck (and the fuel) and driving either five hours (ONE way) to Covington to a regional food bank, or two hours to a similar bank in West Virginia. The cost? About $350 for the longer haul and a little more than $200 to West Virginia. When I told Lois that the Good People Fund would cover the cost of five more trips to West Virginia there was silence on the other end of the line...After what seemed like an eternity I asked if she was still there...and that was when I heard the tears and sobbing.
In the middle of the morning in a place that most people have never heard of, and on a day that probably seemed just like the day before, and the day before that, a phone call is made and a person you do not know, who represents generous people who contribute to make the world just a little bit better, tells you that you don't have to worry about how you are going to get the food that is going to feed hundreds of people who have very little to hope for...
It does remind me of just why we are here and do what we do...
2009-06-23 : “Sometimes the Greatest Ideas...”
Jun 23, 2009
Sometimes the Greatest Ideas...
With the mailing of our first report, we have heard from many of our old friends who are reconnecting and sending their good wishes on our work. This morning's email included one from a woman who we have never met but with whom we had established a "cyber-friendship" over the years.
Our friend expressed her happiness with our report and asked if we would send a copy to a few of her friends so that they could learn about our unusual tzedakah work. She also mentioned something about mailing lists and asked if we buy lists from other sources. Our answer was an emphatic "no"! Many people assume that tzedakah organizations routinely purchase mailing lists from outside sources. The Good People Fund does not sell its list nor does it purchase lists from others.
What was particularly interesting was her response to my email:
My suggestion is, if your policy is NOT to do that - why not tell people that you don't buy or sell mailing lists and give them opportunities to help you? Suggest to your audience that they can give another form of tzedakah by sending you the names and addresses of friends or family who they think would appreciate the work that you do. (You can tell them that your computer deletes duplicates, so they don't have to worry about wasting paper or extra mail!) You can write something about how not all of us have money to give right now, but everyone has either friends or family and they can help in that way by spreading the word. You can also write that even if their friends don't have money to give now, they would surely appreciate reading about all these great small grass-roots organizations which is part of what you do - spread inspiration. And, perhaps it would inspire them or someone THEY know to start their own grassroots way of helping the community, as people have written to tell you how they have been so inspired by all these people helping others in small ways... etc. They can therefore be a part of the Good People Work just by spreading the inspiration to their friends and family! (Of course if those good people ever do have a few extra dollars they would like to donate, that would be fine too.... !)
The number of good ideas that tumbled from this email was astounding and proved once again, Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah-One mitzvah leads to another...
If you have family or friends that you think could be moved by the stories we share, please let us know who they are and we will send them a copy of our first report. We know they will be inspired!
(PLEASE NOTE:If they do not want to receive further mailings from us we always post simple instructions on how to be removed from our list in a prominent place.)
2009-06-16 : “The Golden Years”
Jun 16, 2009
The Golden Years
Henry* is an 89-year-old-widower who lost his wife to Alzheimer's over 5 years ago. Losing his entire family during the Holocaust, Henry survived the war in a Siberian concentration camp. After arriving in the States in 1946 he worked for years in a family business. Today, he finds himself with no pension and very little savings. Henry suffered a stroke this winter and today his meager income goes to the home health care he needs to survive at home. At some point Medicaid benefits will provide that care, but in the meantime putting food on the table is not an easy task.
Ruthie* is now 82 years old but her life changed tragically when her husband died at a very young age, leaving her to raise their two children on her own. She sadly recalls having so little money that there were days that she could not provide food for her small family. The joy that Ruthie felt as each of her children married and began families of their own was short-lived. Her son and his wife were involved in a serious accident which killed the wife and left her son with severe head trauma. Ruthie, with very few resources, was then called upon to raise her 20 month old grandchild on her own. Only after insistent urging has she agreed to accept some modest help with her present food expenses.
Lilly* is a blind 93 year-old woman with many serious medical problems including an inherited degenerative spinal disorder which has been passed on to both of her daughters. She lives on a small social security pension and very little more. For Lilly, having sufficient healthy food on her table is often very difficult.
Each of the elders described above live in New York and are helped by the good people at Project Ezra (http://projectezra.org), a small non-profit dedicated to the welfare of over 400 frail elderly people, most homebound and residing on the Lower East Side. As we have in the past, the Good People Fund has just sent funds to cover the cost of a small monthly stipend for several of the elders. The funds are used to purchase supermarket scrip which is given to many of the elders to help them with their simple food needs.
It is a small thing we can do to help these elders as they age...shouldn't they be free from worry about how they will feed themselves?
*All names have been changed.
2009-06-15 : “A Tale of Two Sisters”
Jun 15, 2009
A Tale of Two Sisters
There is never a shortage of truly compelling and distressing stories that come to us that involve children - innocent children who have been thrust into untenable positions because of their family circumstances...circumstances over which they, just youngsters, have no control.
Such was the case of a request that came to us today in an email from Libby Reichman, founder of Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Israel. Modeled after the international program of the same name, BBBS pairs adults with children and teens from troubled single-parent homes in a close mentoring relationship. We have shared many of Libby's stories in this diary before and in each of them we have been able to make a real difference by contributing some of our donors' tzedakah funds to solve a seemingly insurmountable problem.
Today's story from Libby was no different...
Dina and Inbal, now 9 and 13, previously spent some time in a domestic violence safe house with their mother and older sister. It was obvious that this family had many problems which included an abusive father and a mother incapable of nurturing her children or even providing for their basic needs. With the help of a Big Sister, Moran derives some benefit from a steady relationship, but the girls' situation is quickly deteriorating. Every professional involved in the case agrees that if the girls are to survive they must be removed from their home and placed in a group home. Before any placement can be done, though, each of them must undergo psychological testing...an expensive undertaking with a long, long waiting time before it can be implemented.
With the girls' mother now somewhat cooperative about allowing the testing, the biggest obstacle facing Libby was the cost. Could we help?
With the help of our donors the Good People Fund was able to tell Libby to go ahead with the tests. Hopefully, these two young girls will soon be living in a warm and stable environment, free from the stress and pain of their previous life.
2009-06-08 : “Talk About Air Miles!”
Jun 08, 2009
Talk About Air Miles!
About one year ago (May 20, 2008 diary) we brought you the story of Maureen Kushner, the founder and inspiration behind the project called Peace Through Humor (http://peacethroughhumor.com). Peace Through Humor has been Maureen's focus since 1994. She has traveled throughout Israel visiting kids in Israeli, Arab, Bedouin and Druze schools where she worked with them to develop original paintings based upon the theme of war and peace. The artwork has become part of a traveling exhibit which was adopted by the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs and it has been our privilege to help Maureen spread her message of peace in whatever ways we can.
Maureen wrote this morning with the following update:
This year the show was exhibited in Marseilles, France for 6 months, Bern, Switzerland for 3 months and next week it will travel to Berlin for 3 months, then back again to Cyprus, to Budapest and back again to Germany...
In the USA the show is leaving Ann Arbor, Michigan today for a return engagement in a new venue in Denver for 3 months and then to Buenos Aires, Argentina...believe it or not....
Miraculously to date PTH has been shown in 178 cities in the USA and Canada and 9 countries in Europe...Cyprus, Turkey, Austria, France, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, Switzerland and Germany...and will go to Hungary in November...and return to Cyprus and Germany...thus far....only with the power and message of the education of the heart...has it managed to be seen by more than 21 million people...
If only the number of people who have seen the exhibit took its message to heart...imagine what the world might be like today!
2009-06-02 : “Imagine”
Jun 02, 2009
Imagine
Imagine... you are the parents of four young children, ages four through ten. One of you works as a chambermaid in a local motel dependent upon tourists, and the other works for a landscaper who has just lost several of his clients due to the economic squeeze. The landscaping company has just told you that your hours are now cut to three days a week and this week you will not work at all. You have an overdue utility bill of $203.58 and the lights are going to be turned off soon. What do you do?
Imagine...you are the single mother of four children, only one of whom is old enough to work. You have just lost your job and now must pay your monthly rent, utilities and other living expenses but there is just not enough to go around. $84.87 will keep the lights on. What do you do?
Imagine...you are a single Mom with two young children. You did have a job and made ends meet but you were laid off and now find that the electric company has sent its final notice before turning off the power. You have a job interview for next Monday and you are sure that you can "ace" it. You just have to get the $252.23 to keep the power on. What do you do?
We heard these stories from our friends at the Caridad Center (http://caridadcenter.org) in Boynton Beach, Florida. The Center was started in 1991 by Caridad Asencio, herself an immigrant from Cuba who settled in South Florida, and her dear friend Connie Berry, a local educator. Connie and Caridad began the Center to address the many difficulties facing the migrant workers who pick Florida's fresh fruit and vegetables. The program has grown successfully since its inception and today enlists the help of hundreds of volunteers who provide excellent medical care, tutoring and general social services.
When Connie and the organization's present director, Barbara Vilaseca, were in touch a few days ago they told us how difficult things have become since the recent economic slowdown. Despite a good solid foundation of supporters, the organization can no longer keep up with the emergency situations that seem to arise many times each day. Could the Good People Fund help?
The above stories (and others they shared) were about real people and they represent just a fraction of the many people who have suddenly found themselves in dire straights. Before this latest catastrophe, they made ends meet. It may have been difficult and they always lived with very little but there was always food on the table and a roof over their head. For a bit more than $600 four families were saved, perhaps permanently, maybe not. We were glad to be able to step in and help.
2009-05-28 : “Victory Gardens”
May 28, 2009
Victory Gardens
We recently came upon an old poster from the Second World War. Amid the colorful drawings of peas and cabbage, peppers, tomatoes and onions were the words, "Your Victory Garden Counts More Than Ever!" Victory Gardens were popular during the First and Second World War when food was not as plentiful and people were encouraged to grow their own "for the war effort".
Today, in addition to the wars we are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, we are also fighting an economic war where more and more of our citizens are finding it difficult to put sufficient healthy food on the family table. It was for this reason that we decided to team up once again with Pam Koner and Family to Family (http://family-to-family.org), as the summer growing season is upon us.
Our Victory Garden continues to grow in Myra, Kentucky...another small, rural community in Eastern Kentucky where residents have been impacted by the closing of nearby mines and the local food pantry reports an increase of nearly 1500 additional people seeking help. This year's donation to Family to Family helps to provide each family with 10 chickens, 1 set of garden tools, seeds, fertilizer, chicken feed and a few other miscellaneous items. Each of the families that have been selected for this project has agreed to teach five new families in the next season, thus ensuring that more families will have a supply of healthy home-grown food available during the growing season and beyond.
Who would have thought that Victory Gardens would gain new importance close to 70 years after their first introduction to American life?
2009-05-20 : “Weekend Hunger”
May 20, 2009
Weekend Hunger
McRoberts, Kentucky (population 972 at the last census) is a mining community deep in the hills of the Cumberland mountain range in Eastern Kentucky. Had Pam Koner, founder of Family to Family (http://family-to-family.org)) not called to talk about hungry school kids in McRoberts, we would never have known it even existed. Family to Family focuses on ways we can eliminate hunger in this country, particularly hunger in small, rural communities with minimal resources.
McRoberts - once we had the name, a Google search gave us some very interesting information, some of it very sad and disturbing. McRoberts was established nearly 100 years ago by the Consolidation Coal Company, one of the large companies involved in mining coal in the area. The town was to serve but one purpose...to house the miners who worked for the company. As long as the mines produced, the residents of McRoberts were comfortable and could earn a living. With the recent economic downturn, more mines are closing and more of the townspeople are living on minimal incomes.
Pam's call was to share the conversation she had with the McRobert's school principal. She learned that about 60 kids in the school were going home on Fridays with no assurance of having food available for the weekend. Many kids were going hungry over the weekend. Pam wanted to step in and called me to ask if the Good People Fund could help her with funds to purchase sufficient amounts of "kid-friendly" food that would be placed in a backpack and sent home with these kids every Friday. Pam estimated that it would cost about $5.00 per child. Within a short time Pam found a donor to purchase the backpacks and quickly contacted the local K-Mart which is providing the items at a discounted price. In the end, our $1000 donation will underwrite two full months of weekend food for these kids.
One cannot help but wonder how many other kids in rural communities we have never heard of are also going hungry when school is not in session?
2009-05-15 : “Independence Day-Israeli Style”
May 15, 2009
Independence Day-Israeli Style
Two weeks ago, Israelis commemorated Yom Ha'Atzmaut or Independence Day. As we do here in the States, this celebration includes picnics, barbeques and family outings.
It was our pleasure to underwrite a very special gathering that day which joined two of our favorite animal-assisted therapy programs, INTRA (Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association), http://intra.org.il, and HAMA Israel (Humans and animals in Mutual Assistance),http://hama-israel.org.il. Avshalom Beni was able to invite many of the families who take part in his program to a party at INTRA's campus, located on the Mediterranean beach near Netanya. Original plans called for a two hour event. Here's what Avshalom wrote us after the party ended...
...This year we decided to do something extraordinary and have an Independence Day Celebration. Because we do not have our own Center, we are obliged to seek out other places. ... INTRA opened up their own Center to us and afforded these families one of those experiences which will be cherished all of their lives.
HAMA volunteers provided the food and games and transportation, while Giora and his staff gave us an unsurpassed setting on the sea, where we could see the IDF Navy and Air Force perform right in front of us-- an amazing spectacle. Giora, his son Daniel, and his helpers Tomer and Thai, personally arranged pony and wagon rides for the younger children. What was supposed to be a two hour event went on for a full eight hours of real joy and endless years of nostalgia for all of us.
We wish we could have been there!
2009-05-11 : “Say Cheese...”
May 11, 2009
Say Cheese...
On February 24 we shared the story of Darla Oz, a Jerusalemite who with her husband began a small organization called House to House. House to House provides food assistance, clothing, shoes, help for elders including Shoah survivors, and other basic needs to people who would otherwise "fall through the cracks". Our original donation underwrote the costs of cab rides which many elders must rely upon to get around.
While catching up with Darla in an early morning call today, we learned about a small hotel in Jerusalem which is home to almost 200 elderly Shoah survivors, many of them ill and lonely. Darla shared that in a conversation with the social worker at the site, she learned a few things that were truly sad. The first point shared was that for many of these elders birthdays are rarely celebrated - no gifts, no cards...just a lonely day like any other. The social worker also told Darla that many residents wished that the local grocer (who brings basic food items to the hotel lobby each Friday so that everyone can shop) would include fresh cheese in his weekly visits. They truly missed enjoying a piece of cheese! In about 30 seconds Darla and I decided that each of these residents should enjoy this treat, and what better time for them to receive it than on their birthday? Darla also asked if it would be possible to get birthday cards for each of them, and we promised we would enlist as many religious school teachers and students as possible in this simple act of chesed.
We have sent Darla gift bags and curling ribbon and expect to hear shortly that the first residents are getting their wish for a piece of fresh cheese and some crackers to go with it. Such a simple wish - such a simple solution.
2009-05-07 : “Israel's Young Activists-Part II”
May 07, 2009
Israel's Young Activists-Part II
On February 15 in our entry entitled "Israel's Young Activists" we described our meeting with Jesse and Steven Fox and Gilli and Daniel Cherrin, young Tel-Aviv residents who began Fugee Fridays. The all-volunteer group picks up leftovers from the Carmel Market on Friday afternoons and delivers them to many of the African refugees who are living in nearby shelters, as well as to many poor residents in South Tel-Aviv. The group is engaged in several other beneficial activities including interaction with many of the immigrant children in both play and study.
Impressed with what the group has accomplished, we promised to underwrite the cost of t-shirts which would be printed with the group's logo. With the imprinted shirts the volunteers would be more easily recognized by the market's merchants and give their efforts a bit more of a formal tone.
We were so happy to just receive this picture and agree that the volunteers look very professional as they pick up the luscious fruits and vegetables that will feed many hungry people who have come to rely upon this dedicated group.
2009-05-04 : “A New Addition”
May 04, 2009
A New Addition
We are pleased and honored to announce that the Good People Fund's board will be enhanced as of this month by a new member who has agreed to join us in our work.
Allen Katzoff brings to our work a critical mix of experience in both the for-profit and non-profit world, specifically in the areas of marketing and strategic planning. In addition to management positions in technology companies, he has served as the Director of Camp Ramah in New England as well as the Director of the Center for Adult Jewish Learning at Hebrew College in Boston. A graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Allen also holds an MBA from Northeastern University. Allen and his wife, Joan Leegant, are the parents of two sons. Currently, Allen and Joan reside in the Boston area.
We are honored and excited to have Allen on board. We know that his areas of expertise and his commitment to tzedakah and tikkun olam will serve the Good People Fund well.
Yasher koach, Allen! We look forward to having your insights and experience as we go forward.
2009-04-19 : “Israel Diary-In the Presence of Someone Special-UPDATE”
Apr 19, 2009
Israel Diary-In the Presence of Someone Special-UPDATE
On February 18, we wrote about a special visit we had with Yohannes Bayu, founder of the African Refugee Development Center. Yohannes is a Christian Ethiopian who sought political refugee status in Israel after fleeing his native country when he was in danger for his life. After waiting five years, refugee status was finally granted by the Israeli Supreme Court.
Over the past few years Israel has become a refuge for thousands of Africans fleeing certain death and involuntary army service in countries like Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Congo. Today, more than 17,000 of them live in Israel, creating an acute humanitarian crisis. It was this crisis that Yohannes responded to in establishing the African Refugee Development Center, ARDC.
We received an email from Yohannes this evening which shared two pieces of information which we wanted to pass along. The first was a set of pictures of all of the refugee kids who took part in the kibbutz retreat which we helped underwrite last month. From the looks of the picture above, it seems as if the kids had a great time enjoying the beauty of the rural kibbutz and the new friends they made while there.
Yohannes' email also shared a link to an Israel news piece which described "Giving Back With Love", the ARDC program which encourages the refugees to volunteer with various segments of Israeli society. This clip was a moving account of some of the refugees who help elderly Shoah survivors (who cannot afford to hire help to) prepare for Pesach by cleaning their homes.
We can only imagine the poignancy of one refugee lending a hand to another from an earlier time.
2009-04-07 : “A Different Kind of Seder”
Apr 07, 2009
A Different Kind of Seder
Back in the 1980's, Larry Linkov and Phil Lefton were retail business partners in a small NJ community. Eddie Lewis was initially a customer who soon became a friend. In time, the three extended their friendship and home visits eventually grew to sharing their religious experiences as well. The more time they spent together, the more they realized "we are more similar than different." The African American Jewish Coalition was the product of their friendship. AAJC typifies the true meaning of grass-roots activism and desire to promote racial harmony on the local level.
Though many years have passed since the group's inception, the founders' goals still guide their work. Their non-religious focus includes three programs each year which bring together Jewish Americans and African Americans in a bond of true brotherhood. A Freedom Seder, celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, and a mid-December multicultural holiday celebration are programs implemented by not only the adults in this group but also by the youth group which they have developed and encouraged.
Several weeks ago the group held its annual Spring Freedom Seder which drew almost 150 people for an evening of traditional Passover food and reflections on freedom and mutual understanding. It was the Good People Fund's honor to be a part of this meaningful celebration and to contribute to the costs of the evening's Seder fare.
Check out the group's simple website, http://www.aajcnj.org. Perhaps this is something you can do to foster good will and harmony in your own community.
2009-04-06 : “There are Real People Behind the Numbers”
Apr 06, 2009
There are Real People Behind the Numbers
How many of us follow the news coming out of Iraq or Afghanistan and really stop to think about the human toll these wars have taken? Other than the details shared by our local papers when a local soldier is killed or injured, do any of us fully comprehend what is behind the numbers and the headlines? What toll is taken on the families of those who are killed? Or maimed, or wounded? Do we ever really learn the disturbing details, the very human details? Most likely, not.
Ranya Kelly, founder of The Redistribution Center in Denver knows exactly what this toll involves. We have written about Ranya in this Diary many times. She is the dedicated, hard-working champion of taking what others (manufacturers, retailers and so many more) are going to toss into landfills and delivering it to people who live in extreme poverty and despair. In truth, The Redistribution Center is one of the first ecology programs ever found in this country. In addition to rescuing perfectly good items Ranya has also started a small food bank which steps in when some of the larger entities nearby find themselves without sufficient supplies to feed all of the hungry people who come to their doors.
In recent times, though, Ranya has reached out to another forgotten segment of our population-returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who have sustained unspeakable injuries while fighting, and are now back home with insufficient resources to help them get on with their lives. As we listen to Ranya share their stories we shudder at the sadness and the horror of it all. In a phone conversation last Thursday, Ranya shared the story of a female soldier who, after returning from Iraq, resumed her life, became pregnant and delivered a baby girl. Soon after, she was diagnosed with colon cancer, she and her husband lost their rented home and her husband lost his job. What did they need? Diapers. They did not have enough money for diapers.
Ranya tells us that she has six veterans waiting for couches...couches! While the VA may get them a place to live, they do not necessarily furnish it for them and many soldiers need those couches because that is where some of them are able to sleep more comfortably, rather than in a traditional bed. In another case, a wounded Purple Heart veteran returned home to find his wife had left him and in the process destroyed their home leaving him and their child nothing but mold and mildew and nothing to salvage. In that case, Ranya provided him with everything he needed to fill his home and start over again.
There is no shortage of stories like these. Ranya could probably fill a book with them. The Good People Fund is committed to helping where we can and we have just sent funds to cover the cost of a new couch and diapers for the ill soldier described here.
How many of us knew about these situations? How many of us could help?
2009-03-27 : “Hospital Leftovers”
Mar 27, 2009
Hospital Leftovers
Conservation, ecology, green...today's buzzwords. Finally, the world is beginning to pay attention to preserving natural resources and protecting the environment. In truth, many people promoted these values for years; and some even put their beliefs into very substantial efforts. Dr. Will Rosenblatt of Yale-New Haven Hospital was one of these visionaries. As an anesthesiologist at that hospital, Dr. Rosenblatt saw first-hand the waste that accumulated in the hospital's operating rooms...and waste in this instance refers to equipment and supplies. Critical, open-but-unused medical supplies from operating suites and other medical locations nationwide often go into our nation's landfills due to stringent insurance and legal restrictions that do not allow them to be used in other procedures even if they were never touched. REMEDY, Recovered Medical Equipment for the Developing World was started by Dr. Rosenblatt in 1991. In that time, millions and millions of dollars worth of equipment and supplies have been recovered and shipped to poor medical facilities around the world where they are desperately needed.
What makes REMEDY even more important is that their efforts have been adopted by hospitals across the country, thus compounding the benefits of this program many times over. The REMEDY website (www.remedyinc.org) serves as a link as well as a teaching tool for other facilities that have joined or are interested in becoming a part of the network.
Now to the very unfortunate reality-REMEDY is one of the many, many small non-profits that has been impacted by the current economic downturn. Despite their very modest budget, shortfalls in fund-raising have forced them to make several changes including the cut back of their very minimal staff. The Good People Fund grant was designated to help them wherever the need was greatest. We believe that this is a program that must continue its good work which impacts both our environment and the well-being and health of people around the world.
2009-03-24 : “Let All Who Are Hungry Come and Eat-2009”
Mar 24, 2009
Let All Who Are Hungry Come and Eat-2009
As we walk down the Passover food aisles of our local supermarket we cannot help but wonder how people who are experiencing economic difficulties can possibly prepare for the holiday. The trip to the butcher was even more unsettling...
What we witnessed in both places should not have been a surprise...we were getting far more requests for help from several of the programs that we work with than ever before...more and more families and individuals were struggling to make this holiday special, whether it be in Israel or here in the States.
Through the generosity of several donors who recognize these needs the Good People Fund has been able to provide supermarket gift cards not only for several Holocaust survivors but also for Second Generation people who are struggling to make ends meet. Additionally, in Israel, we are excited to know that our funds have helped dozens of families celebrate in a proper, menschlich way.
2009-03-17 : “It's More Than the Iditarod”
Mar 17, 2009
It's More Than the Iditarod
During this past year's election season we all learned a great deal about the state of Alaska-its politics and its natural beauty. We never realized that we would shortly develop our own personal connection to the state. Earlier this year we wrote about the fine work being done by an organization called Casting For Recovery which was founded in 1996 with the goal of helping breast cancer survivors recover, both physically and emotionally, through the unique benefits of fly-fishing...a sport which uses just those muscles most affected by breast cancer surgery. Couple the physical benefits with a weekend retreat in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded not only by other women experiencing the very same turmoil, but also a group of volunteers committed in every way to making the event transformative, and you have a very special experience that can truly change everyone who takes part.
While we whole-heartedly support the CFR program and are thrilled by the fact that it has grown so successfully since its inception, the Good People Fund is committed to helping organizations that are a less established and more grass-roots in origin. The question then becomes...how do we publicize and promote a program that we believe is one of the best of its kind for breast cancer survivors and still remain within our own guidelines?
It did not take us long to come up with a solution to this problem. CFR has chapters all over the country, many of them small and struggling to raise the funds necessary for their own local fly-fishing retreat. They are run by local women, many of whom have been touched by breast cancer and are either in active treatment or some years beyond their initial diagnosis. Who could use a little help in their fund-raising? After some initial conversations with CFR's staff, the group in Alaska was identified as a potential match for us...and what a group it is! With a strong and active foundation of women who are all avid fly-fisherwomen, we know that the Alaska chapter will hold a successful retreat in what is probably the most beautiful natural surroundings to be found in this country. Our challenge to the group was that we would match up to $2500 of "new money" they raise between now and their July retreat. The women I was in touch with were thrilled with the challenge and before long I received word of several fund-raisers being planned to help meet their goal. Now-if we could only find a way to get to Alaska to be part of the retreat...
2009-03-10 : “A Gift of Comfort”
March 10, 2009
A Gift of Comfort
Who can forget the years between 2000 and 2006 when life in Israel was a succession of almost daily terror attacks? I can recall many mornings here in the States when the first thing I would do upon awakening was turn on the TV and wait to hear if another bombing or shooting had occurred. To Ruth Shlossman, an American who made aliyah many years ago, one of these attacks took on a very personal meaning when she found herself only a short distance from Sbarro's pizzeria on that fateful day in August, 2001 when a suicide bomber walked into the restaurant and set off a bomb which destroyed so many, many lives. Ruth was only a few feet away and could not forget the scene she witnessed. The disturbing images inspired her to just "do something". What she did was to start a small organization called A Gift of Comfort, which enlisted the services of professionals involved in massage, reflexology and other alternative therapies in order to bring relief to so many survivors who suffered both physical and emotional trauma. In time, Ruth's volunteer therapists even offered sessions to family members who endured the extreme emotional toll of such suffering.
Though the daily attacks ceased, Ruth's efforts have shifted in recent times to the trauma endured by those living in Sderot and other communities bordering Gaza. She has organized groups of volunteer therapists who travel to the area and offer this special treatment to those who live with the rocket attacks that come with little warning. Numerous reports attest to the serious problems which this ongoing distress can cause and Ruth's therapists are doing their part in trying to reduce the suffering. Therapy is also offered to several soldiers who are no longer on active duty.
Our recent email exchange with Ruth confirmed the importance of her efforts as well as the fact that more than 80 sessions are given by her volunteer therapists each month. With the help of her part-time coordinator who is also an experienced social worker, Ruth's work continues and the Good People Fund is happy to be part of it all by sending some funds to underwrite her expenses.
2009-03-03 : “God Will Provide”
March 3, 2009
God Will Provide
Miryam Torres is a local woman whose quiet work was featured this past Sunday in a front-page article in the (NJ) Star-Ledger. Herself an immigrant from Ecuador who arrived in the United States 40 years ago and has since raised five children-now all adults, it was Miryam's work as a field representative for Essex County that alerted her to a group of immigrants (living in the East Orange, NJ area) who often went without a meal for days on end.
The news article shared that Miryam remembered growing up in Ecuador and her father's (a baker) admonition that they were always to share with people who had less. Her mother was a nurse/midwife and Miryam recalled going out at all hours of the day and night when her mother was called to a medical situation. Hearing that these people were without sustenance evoked just one response-I must cook for them so they can have a hot meal.
...and cook she does. Every Thursday evening Miryam visits the supermarket where she purchases the ingredients for her meal. She returns home and spends the evening cooking...chicken and rice, hot soup, sandwiches-a healthy, hot meal for sustenance. Friday night (it is a sort-of "Shabbat" meal) Miryam and her disabled brother pack the food in individual containers and proceed to a dark parking lot where the group assembles to share this meal-made-with-love. Sometimes people give Miryam clothes to share with the men and since the news article appeared, one woman brought her 25 blankets to distribute and a local pastor is opening his church every Friday night so that the group can share their meal in a more comfortable place.
When I met Miryam at a local diner she was everything I had expected and more. The first thing that struck me as we walked into the restaurant were the warm greetings of "hi Miryam" that came from both the diner's patrons and the staff. Clearly Miryam was "known" here in her neighborhood. Diminutive in stature but definitely someone with passion and compassion, Miryam shared that she was surprised by the response the news story had evoked. Some good people had come forth with help and others had written angry letters to the paper assailing her for what she was doing. She expressed more than a little concern for her own safety. When I asked her why she was doing this, her response to me was that if someone has no food you must help them. When I inquired how she was going to continue to pay for this week after week, she looked me in the eye and very calmly explained that "God will provide". It was then that I knew that I had made a good decision to try to track her down...good people come in all sizes and from many different backgrounds. They are always out there-sometimes you just have to search a bit to find them.
To help Miryam in her beautiful work the Good People Fund will underwrite the cost of some new commercial cooking utensils (something she was most appreciative to have) as well as cover the cost of several weeks' meals. (She reports that each week's groceries run her about $60) We also requested that she occasionally add a little dessert to end the meal-something she had not done when she was underwriting the meals herself.
2009-03-02 : “A Note for the Mailman”
March 2, 2009
A Note for the Mailman
We last wrote about Ranya Kelly and her Colorado-based Redistribution Center on August 15, 2008. At that time, we shared that in addition to Ranya's efforts in retrieving brand new merchandise from manufacturers and retailers (which she then distributes to people who are in need) Ranya has also opened a small food pantry which provides nourishment to many people in her local area who just do not have enough money to put sufficient food on their table. Many times, when larger pantries are empty, Ranya is called upon to help out.
Ranya called a few hours ago. She was clearly distressed. In all of the years that she has been involved in her work, never has she seen such desperate times. So many people are hurting. However, the call that she received this morning really upset her and she had to share it with me.
The call came from the Sheriff's office in El Paso County—a distance from where Ranya lives. Local food pantries were bare and Ranya was asked if she could help someone who had no provisions at all. It seems that the sheriff's office received a call from a local postal worker who, while making his rounds delivering mail, found a note in the mailbox of one of his patrons. The note said that the writer, an 85 year old woman, had lost her husband, an army veteran, a few years before and she had had no food to eat for the past two days. Could anyone help? The postman called the sheriff's office seeking help and eventually Ranya received her call. An 85 year old woman, no family, and no food to eat—something was terribly wrong. Assured by the authorities that they would help her get through the next few days, Ranya offered to drive to the town where the woman is living and will bring her a good supply of canned goods, meat and other nutritious food. She assured me that she would find out more about the woman's circumstances and get back to me if there was anything that we could do.
Somehow, we don’t think that Ranya's story is all that unusual in today's economic climate. Do any of us really know what is happening to our neighbors?
2009-02-24 : “Israel Diary - Passion”
February 24, 2009
Israel Diary - Passion
What struck me most as I sat in the lobby of our hotel that Friday morning, and spoke with Darla Oz about her work was the passion in her eyes. It was palpable. Anyone listening would know that this was a woman who not only loved what she was doing, but lived it as well.
Darla Oz and her husband (who goes by the name “Oz”) retired to Israel from Ohio about 10 years ago. They had visited many times before and each time friends gave them money to give away to people who needed it. (Familiar story?) When they decided to retire the wish to continue to help people did not diminish and Darla worked for several years as a volunteer with Yad Sarah until 2001 when they formalized House to House, the organization we were interested in learning about. House to House provides food assistance, clothing, shoes, help for Elders including Shoah survivors and other basic needs to people who would otherwise “fall through the cracks”. They are incorporated in the US and have non-profit status but their work is done in Israel. Their budget runs about $100,000-$150,000 each year and their overhead is minimal. Neither she nor her husband takes a salary. This is another example of a small, highly effective program that provides for basic needs. Most of their referrals come from social workers and Darla meets all of the recipients personally.
Darla mentioned that they were finding a need for funds to cover cab rides for many of the people they help. In a subsequent phone conversation she estimated that $50 monthly would cover those costs (or $600 annually). I told her we would be her “cab fund” and have already sent her six month’s of cab money. They are also in need of some computer programming which would allow Ed to track their work more efficiently. I told them to get some prices on that need and we would consider underwriting it.
2009-02-23 : “Israel Diary - The Fruits of our Labors”
February 23, 2009
Israel Diary - The Fruits of our Labors
We have been in the “mitzvah” business for more than 16 years. It is not often that we get to see the fruits of our labors—tangible evidence of just how critically important our efforts can be. On this Israel trip, that message came through in the most unexpected, but powerful way possible.
One of the stops on our itinerary was in Beit Shean where we made a few visits before going on to Kibbutz Merav with Yitz Feigenbaum, one of the founders of Beit Hayeled (see Tzedakah Diary, April 4, 15, 2008, July 20, 2008). Beit Hayeled is a very special home where kids who are removed from their parents by the courts have a chance to live in a loving, warm and supportive environment. The kids are given everything that we would give our own children—love, discipline, a new bike, new clothes, toys, games, nourishing food—a warm home. The problems these kids were exposed to prior to their placement at Beit Hayeled are the very things we read about in the newspaper…severe abuse, parents with drug or alcohol addiction, imprisonment…a sad and sorry combination of circumstances that rarely allow for a “normal” upbringing.
In all of the years we have worked with Yitz we know that he has never exposed the kids to visitors who might want to see the program first-hand. The kids’ privacy is zealously protected—they are never used to help further Beit Hayeled’s purpose. Knowing this, it was a bit of a surprise when Yitz asked us to lunch and to "meet someone". After a sumptuous meal complete with delicious Israeli salads of all kinds, a handsome young man appeared who immediately embraced Yitz and joined us at the table. Sitting in front of us was "Shimon", a Beit Hayeled graduate, now a young man in his early 20’s. Shimon explained the circumstances that brought him to Beit Hayeled while he was a youngster and how he spent many of his years there just “sitting around” sullenly on the very couches that abutted our dinner table. It was only Yitz and Irit’s unconditional love and firm hands that brought him to where he was today—married, attending college and the father of a young baby himself.
Sitting at that table and maintaining our composure was impossible. We were suddenly overcome with tears of joy as we saw first-hand just what our involvement in Beit Hayeled’s work had helped to accomplish. Here was living proof that a life could not only be saved but could go on to flourish, give back and bring new life into the world. As we left Beit Hayeled that afternoon, I asked Yitz why he and Irit had broken all of their rules and brought Shimon to lunch with us. With just the hint of a glimmer in his eyes, Yitz explained that sometimes you have to break the rules and let someone share in the joy and naches that they have helped bring about. It was a lunch that will never be forgotten.
2009-02-20 : “An Olam Katan (small world) Mitzvah Story”
February 20, 2009
An Olam Katan (small world) Mitzvah Story
In the olam katan (small world) mitzvah story department--I received a truly amazing call yesterday from a woman in nearby Livingston who read a NJ Jewish News article about Danny Siegel’s (founder of the now-closed Ziv Tzedakah Fund) visit to teens in Metrowest. The woman called the Jewish News who referred her to me...
She noted Danny's mention of Clara Hammer (affectionately referred to as the Chicken Lady) in his talk and immediately recalled that that was the name of her Hebrew school teacher in Brooklyn over 40 years ago! I told her that yes, Clara had taught in Brooklyn and gave her an update on the last 40 years. She had been in touch with three friends who were in the same class and they all agreed that the Clara described in the article had to be their teacher. I shared Clara’s "song and dance" routine and she laughed saying that the five years she taught them (it was an Orthodox school and girls were not prepared for Bat Mitzvah) they learned quite a few songs...especially Yerushalayim Shel Zahav—something we know is a standard in Clara’s repertoire. The daughter of one of the friends is studying at Hebrew U and is going to call Clara's daughter to arrange a visit...
I visited Clara a few weeks ago while I was in Israel and despite her impending 99th birthday, many, many people are still celebrating Shabbat with proper, menschlich food....age does not seem to be stopping this amazing woman from going about her special work. Indeed, we suspect that it is this very mitzvah work that keeps her young in heart and in spirit!
2009-02-18 : “Israel Diary - In the Presence of Someone Special”
February 18, 2009
Israel Diary - In the Presence of Someone Special
Clearly one of the most intense meetings we held while in Israel was with Yohannes Bayu, the founder of the African Refugee Development Center. Himself a political refugee who escaped Ethiopia and arrived in Israel in 1997 on a tourist visa, Yohannes found a less than warm welcome in his adopted country despite Christian Ethiopians' positive feelings about Israel. As we heard his family’s story of torture, imprisonment, harassment, and “unspeakable horrors” in their native country it was hard to keep in mind that what we were hearing was not fiction but a real life experience shared no doubt by thousands of other people living in parts of Africa today. While some in his family escaped to other countries, Yohannes was drawn to Israel—the country he heard his mother mention in her daily prayers.
It took five years and a Supreme Court order for Yohannes to finally achieve political refugee status and it was his very personal experiences that led him to respond to the plight of the thousands of African refugees who have arrived in Israel over the past few years. Those who escape through Egypt, if they are not shot by soldiers in that country, are immediately picked up by Israeli authorities and imprisoned. When the prison is full, they are put on a bus and taken to Tel Aviv where they are discharged near the old bus station and the beautiful Levinsky Park. It was this humanitarian crisis to which Yohannes responded. This gentle soul is no doubt a man of outstanding character and selflessness. While we acknowledge the political storm surrounding the African refugees and whether Israel should be providing for their welfare, we cannot ignore the fact that they have escaped to avoid certain death or imprisonment and that they are there and should not be ignored.
Our time with Yohannes included visits to three of the shelters ARDC runs. His mostly-volunteer staff provides clothing, food, medical care, some basic education components…whatever it takes to make the refugees’ lives a bit safer and more comfortable.
While there we learned about an upcoming trip made available to the children of many of these refugees. Once again a kibbutz invited the kids to spend a few days outside of the city and the shelter. $2000 would cover the modest travel and other expenses involved in making this adventure possible. We wanted to be part of this adventure and offered to cover the final $800 needed to make the trip a reality.
2009-02-17 : “Paying It Forward”
February 17, 2009
Paying It Forward
Last November (November 5, 2008, The Righteous Among Us) we described the good work carried out by the Israel-based organization, ATZUM which was founded by Rabbi Levi Lauer. Rabbi Lauer’s efforts are dedicated to the welfare of terror survivors, foreign workers and Righteous Gentiles—a small group of truly blessed people who are living out their last days in Israel. When we met with Levi and Karyn London, the social worker who works with terror survivors, we were moved by a story that was shared about one of these Righteous Gentiles, Viktor Polischuk. Viktor and his family sheltered Lev and Arkadiy Burshtein during the 1943 extermination of a ghetto in Ukraine. Later that year, as the Germans approached, Viktor and his family moved the father and son to a safer place under Romanian control and it was there that they remained until the liberation. In 1995 Viktor was recognized by Yad Vashem and then moved to Israel.
How did Rabbi Lauer find a way to try to repay this gentle man for what he had done to save two Jews? Nothing we could write would come close to the heartfelt words Levi composed as he tries to gather funds to perform this profound mitzvah...
Viktor Polischuk risked his and his family’s life to save a Jewish father and son during the Shoah. His 23 year old grandson, Antosha Polischuk, was recently diagnosed with a virulent, life threatening leukemia. Antosha moved from Ukraine to begin a course of treatment in Moscow which his family does not have the funds to continue.
Antosha is in need of a bone marrow transplant. The head of the Hematology Department at Hadassah-Ein Kerem has assured us Antosha's chances of survival will be far greater if the transplant is conducted in Israel. Hadassah, in generous recognition of his grandfather’s heroism, has agreed to accept the case immediately at one-third the usual cost. As Antosha's family does not have the wherewithal to pay and will exhaust all its resources coming to Israel, ATZUM has accepted responsibility for securing $80,000 to facilitate hospitalization and treatment at Hadassah-Ein Kerem.
In this recession smitten, Madoff (ATZUM’s funds are invested directly in plain vanilla government bond and money market funds) bitten time, this was likely a risk ill taken. But a life is at stake and we cannot imagine a more fitting tribute to a grandfather who risked all to save Jews and allow their future generations to come to life.
This moving story reminds us of how we never know just when a kindness or brave action can be repaid despite the passage of perhaps decades. We whole-heartedly agree with ATZUM’s decision to step in here and have sent some funds to help them underwrite this life-saving action.
2009-02-16 : “Israel Diary - An Old Friend in New Digs and a Mitzvah To Boot!”
February 16, 2009
Israel Diary - An Old Friend in New Digs and a Mitzvah To Boot!
On our second day in Israel I was looking forward to making my first visit to see Libby Reichman and the new home of Big Brothers, Big Sisters (Tzedakah Diary, June 12, 2008, Going Home). When I had last visited, BBBS was still occupying a small office which was bursting at the seams with desks, computers and files. Nothing quite prepared me for the magical place we saw when the taxi dropped us off at the new address. What a beautiful place it was! The view alone was worth a million dollars... indeed, this was a true “clubhouse” where the kids and their mentors could come to play games, create crafts, watch a movie... a very special home away from home. We could not have been happier for Libby and her staff.
After our tour, we sat with a cup of tea and talked about the organization’s latest challenges. BBBS is no different than any other non-profit today—funding is limited and the organization’s needs continue. So many of the children Libby works with come from such difficult and troubled homes... it is sometimes overwhelming to hear each one’s situation knowing you cannot solve each problem. One story which Libby shared was particularly poignant... it was the story of Yonatan, a young boy now 12, who lives with his mother in a small one room apartment. Though the mother does work, funds are very limited and there is never enough to provide for much more than food and rent. Libby recounted that their minimal income (as well as limited space) meant that Yonatan and his Mom continued to share a single bed. This was not right and we knew that it was important for us to do whatever we could to change this arrangement. We asked Libby if it would be possible for her to help Yonatan and his mother purchase a second bed which might fit in their small apartment. We would cover the cost of the bed as well as some new sheets and blankets. Libby was thrilled!
Postscript: A few days after we returned from Israel, Libby called to say that Yonatan and his Mom were thrilled by our offer and had just returned from their shopping excursion. With tears in her eyes and her voice breaking, Yonatan’s Mom shared that he now had a new bed and all of the accessories that would make any twelve year old excited!
Sometimes it doesn’t take very much to make a profound difference!
2009-02-15 : “Israel Diary - Israel’s Young Activists”
February 15, 2009
Israel Diary - Israel’s Young Activists
We recently spent some time in Israel making the rounds of many of the programs and individuals we have worked with over the past year. It is always special to visit with each of them and learn about how their work is going. The give-and-take in these meetings always benefits both parties.
In addition to seeing the “regulars”, we had a long list of new good people we wanted to meet and looked forward to hearing new stories of dedication and mitzvah-making.
No sooner did we land in Israel, spend a restless night getting used to the time change, and off we went! Who knew that on our very first day we would be impressed by a group of young Israelis (some American olim) who were actively involved in two specific mitzvahs—lechem l're'eyvim—providing food for hungry people, and bal tashchit—do not waste or, rescuing perfectly good food that would otherwise go into the garbage...
Jesse Fox and his brother Steven made aliyah several years ago and now call Tel Aviv home. After many visits to the famous Carmel market, Jesse soon realized that the vast quantity of leftovers—fresh fruit, vegetables, pita, and more—that litter the ground at the close of business on Friday could actually feed hungry people...of which there is no shortage in that city. Specifically, Jesse thought about the many, many African refugees who have found their way to Tel Aviv and now reside in several shelters near the old bus terminal and Levinsky Park. He knew that most of them did not have a sufficient and reliable source of nourishment and what could be better than lots of fresh fruit and veggies? It seemed that there was one simple solution—gather the leftovers and deliver them to the shelters. But, how? Joined by his brother and two of their friends, Gilli and Daniel Cherrin, the idea for Fugee Fridays was born. What started with the four of them and a friend with a car who could help transport the many, many boxes of food they gathered each week, eventually became a group of several other Tel Aviv-area residents who learned of their efforts and joined in the rescue. Soon, some of the volunteers began to play with the refugee children or offer other types of support. In time, the group also delivered the gleaned food to other very poor residents of the South Tel Aviv area—there was more than enough to go around.
Now involved with this project for just a year, Jesse and his friends are planning other ways they might work on behalf of this refugee population. When we sat with them we asked what they might need to help them in their work—it did not take long for them to come up with a wish-list. We thought that the idea of a t-shirt with the Fugee Friday logo would certainly help their volunteers as they gather food in the market each week, as would a sticker they want to give to the merchants who donate to them so that others would recognize their generosity. We told them to get some prices and the Good People Fund would be honored to become a partner in their work.
Fugee Fridays’ founders and the group of volunteers who work with them are impressive examples of the marriage between social activism and ecology. What could be better than feeding hungry people with food that would otherwise end up in landfill?
2009-01-28 : “Recording History”
January 28, 2009
Recording History
Back on the November 14, 2008 Tzedakah Diary entry we shared the work of Alice Jonah and the residents of the old Diplomat Hotel in Jerusalem. The hotel is now home to hundreds of (mostly) Russian Elders who arrived in Israel hoping to live a life of freedom in the Holy Land. Alice has been their dedicated companion, providing for their social as well as physical welfare through both her volunteer and paid work there. Aside from a beautiful chorus, ulpan, field trips and many, many other meaningful activities, Alice has also facilitated a very special project that was the idea of a creative mitzvah-thinker we know. When our friend learned about Alice's work with the Russians he realized almost immediately how important their past lives were and how their experiences were a mirror of history in Russia. Many of the residents took part in significant World War II events and other actions of equal historical significance, and as they pass on so does an irreplaceable part of history. The idea that grew out of this was to facilitate the recording of many of the residents' memories so that a permanent record would be created.
Today, we received the following update from Alice which clearly shows how very important these interviews were. We are happy to report that our friend will send us funds so that even more recordings can be made and history will not be forgotten after all.
The interviews went very well, and for some of the people, it was the first time which they actually spoke in a structured manner of their very difficult experiences before, during and after the war years. Some have told their stories in the past, but not in this fashion. It was definitely therapeutic for most of the participants...
Luba, who conducted the interviews, was very moved by the experience. There are such incredible stories - and each one so different. She is prepared to carry on, though her situation is such that she worked very slowly. Altogether, twenty-five interviews were completed. The people she spoke with know her well, and have trust in her, and thus were able to speak volubly and openly.
One of our student population, Ruthie Yanovsky, transferred the taped material to computer, so we have both versions...
2009-01-27 : “Teachable Moments”
January 27, 2009
Teachable Moments
A few days ago, I sent an email to Ron Adams, a dynamic teacher at the Broad Meadows Middle School in Quincy, MA. to learn whether the Good People Fund might be able to help the important work he does there. We described Ron's work with the students at Broad Meadows in this diary on April 22, 2008. Quite simply, students at the school who wish to change the world in exciting and meaningful ways can join Ron's after-school club which is dedicated to improving the lives of kids around the world. Former students began the group more than ten years ago when they were privileged to meet Iqbal Masih, a young boy from Pakistan who had been sold by his parents to a carpet maker and remained chained to a loom creating beautiful carpets for long hours each day. When Iqbal escaped and traveled to America to receive an award from Reebok for his efforts to end child slavery, he visited the Quincy school and enthralled the students with his moving story. After returning to Pakistan, Iqbal was gunned down and so began the Quincy students' quest to end child slavery wherever it may be. Inspired by Iqbal, they formed the Kid's Campaign and began to accomplish amazing things around the world. Though the original students have long since graduated and are now adults (and, no doubt, profoundly changed by their experience), many students from subsequent classes have joined the campaign and continue the good work.
Ron's response to my question about how we could help:
Dear Naomi,
I met with several of our newest student campaign leaders yesterday to show them the Wish List I emailed to you. They were stunned silent. They did not know that their kids' campaign has a long distance angel providing their group with the tools of change. You should have seen their faces. Their facial expressions went from mouth open, heads back, to looking at each other confused, to heads slumping with smiles on each face. Then the questions came fast and furious. Who is this Naomi? Who are the Good People? It was the teachable moment, and I pulled out our photo archives to show the new leaders photos from past years including photos from the (Ziv Tzedakah Fund) New Jersey and Rhode Island Mitzvah Heroes Conferences. "What's a Mitzvah?" asked one of the girls who has become a grade 6 leader named Amira, clothed in traditional Iraqi covering, a Muslim. After that teachable moment she said she has to meet Naomi to shake her hand and to show her the posters and poems she has made for the campaign using the tools sent last school year. She is young enough that stereotypes and prejudice have not yet been permanently formed. Her family moved to the U.S. to escape the sectarian violence in Baghdad three years ago. Amira is hoping to do some "mitzvahs" this year. Other grade 6 girls joined in: Renette, recently from Haiti and Biba from Morocco both promised to work with Amira. It was a moment of innocence and sweetness. Surrounding these girls were third, fourth and fifth generation Catholics, a Jewish boy, a Universalist eighth grader, a Buddhist and Baptist. Yet, united, everyone was looking at the photos and realizing on whose shoulders they were all standing. The connections to the people, who in the past worked to create a Kids' Campaign for Iqbal Masih and children like Iqbal in any country, suddenly became visible and obvious. I jumped in. The lesson to be learned I told them was that there are teams of good people all over the world who quietly or loudly sacrifice and volunteer together to help make the world, anyone's world, better. They are just like us, all races, all religions. They do it, I said, not because it gets you fame or free supplies, you volunteer together because it is the right thing to do. I congratulated the new leaders for joining for the right reason, and I hoped they would now understand that grade 6, 7 and 8 students can change the world a little, but only if we build bridges to other people. Those people might be the same age or old, the same religion or race or not. And finally, good people find each other, team and dream together about changing the world a little, then, remarkably they TAKE ACTION to turn those dreams into realities. That's how people, any person really, can better the world. I told them that we are blessed in our Kids' Campaign because good people found us! Imagine where we would be without their friendship and encouragement and support.
Gosh, I love working with this age group. They are still open minded and pure. I truly hope and wish and pray that they will (in these formative years) discover the good people are all from the same race...the human race.
Reading a note like this cannot help but make us want to do whatever we can to ensure that these young idealistic kids succeed. The list that Ron sent us included several items which we hope to provide for them, but the one thing that is always the most fun to do is to go online with the long shopping list for Staples and click away! In thirty minutes I had filled my "virtual" basket with markers, pens, poster board, ink cartridges, glue sticks...and, perhaps, most important of all, some Twizzlers and some pretzels for sustenance while they work long hours after school to change the world.
If you want to learn more about the "Quincy kids" and their work, we suggest you follow this link which will take you to information about a newly released DVD which features their story (as well as nine other stories about truly good people) http://www.goodpeoplefund.org/Mitzvah_Movies
2009-01-19 : “Clowning Around...the World”
January 19, 2009
Clowning Around...the World
Last summer (Tzedakah Diary June 16, July 1, 2008) we shared the work of Dr. Neal Goldberg and his troupe of medical clowns, Lev Leytzan (heart of a clown) - Compassionate Clown Alley. In addition to the many, many adults and children in the greater New York City area who have been cheered by these professionally trained teens and young adults, several clowns had an unforgettable experience last month when they made a slight detour on their annual trip to Israel. Several members of the troupe stopped in Munich to visit with elderly Shoah survivors living in that city. While still in Munich, Neal shared the following thoughts on the impact of visiting an area with such powerful significance:
Munich has been incredible. We're blown away. We've been moving between hosting home visits, senior centers and community events with historical visits. Dachau was powerful - our debriefing consensus was that our clowning brings life to where tragedy and illness try to take it away!!
Once the full troupe assembled in Israel they spent ten days visiting hospitals, community centers, and other venues where the smile of a clown can transform anyone in need of some cheer.
Shortly after returning from their whirlwind tour, Neal shared the following link to a great article on the clowns which appeared in CNN. Check it out...
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/12/18/clown.joy.patients/
2009-01-15 : “A Dog Tale”
January 15, 2009
A Dog Tale
When the school year began last Fall we were in touch with Tamara Ruben, principal of the Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim Religious School in Cranford, NJ. Tamara wanted the kids in her school to become truly involved in a tzedakah project. Putting coins in the school tzedakah box was fine, but she wanted something more than that-something truly "hands-on".
Tamara was impressed with Avshalom Beni and his Israeli program, Humans and Animals in Mutual Assistance-HAMA Israel, and wanted her students to learn more about this unique organization which uses (mostly) rescued animals (dog and cats) as co-therapists in treating both kids and adults who experience many different types of emotional and physical disabilities. After introducing her school to HAMA through a video produced by the now-closed Ziv Tzedakah Fund, students and teacher alike embarked upon a multi-faceted effort to help HAMA.
What follows is a note that Tamara sent to her congregation and shared with us. We think it is a beautiful description of not only her school's efforts, but also her encounter with Avshalom, his co-therapists, and some of his most vulnerable clients. Kol Hakavod to everyone who took part in this special mitzvah.
... I would like to share with you a story of great inspiration and hope that has to do with a connection with HAMA (http://www.hama-israel.org.il/) an Israeli organization and TBEMC's Religious School. I am sharing this with you so that you too will be proud of our special school and its wonderful values.
As you can read in their website, HAMA is rooted in the unique and mutual bonding and welfare between humans and animals. Its organizers work closely with various public social welfare agencies, hospitals and educational institutions in establishing a "bridge" consisting of mutual healing. It is for these elements that we decided to interest our students at TBEMC Religious School.
During the last few months, our students have been able to raise money in time for my visit here at HAMA. In keeping with our school philosophy that the best gift one can receive is by giving of ourselves, as Hanukkah was approaching last Sunday, the entire school was busy baking healthy dog biscuits and decorating beautiful bandannas for the animals of HAMA. (I will tell you what happened at the airport at another time...:)
While the nights are now cold in Israel and the days are shorter, my encounter with the founders of HAMA, Avshalom and his wife Pam, their dedicated staff. and their many animals who themselves have suffered devastating injuries, brought so much light, warmth and an example of human/animal kindness that transcends any written word. My visit to The Lev Hasharon Hostels for Holocaust Survivors, one of the many projects that HAMA has established, truly made me feel that this was a holy place; a place where humans understand the meaning of being "B''tzelem Elohim" in God''s image.
Equipped with the delicious dog biscuits and the beautiful bandannas from our Religious School, my daughter and I drove to the center, about 30 minute drive north of Tel Aviv. The center is nestled in the midst of the luscious Sharon region where golden oranges are still visible in the surrounding orchards and old Eucalyptus trees are seen everywhere. It was Friday afternoon and as the cheerful dogs of all sizes and kinds leaped out from Avshaom's van, it was a love at first site.You could feel a sense of gratitude in these animals who knew neglect, abuse and injuries and are now determined to be "healers" themselves. Their spirit was so uplifting, with an abundance of an unconditional and infectious love adorned by endless "kisses". ... the dogs devoured the biscuits and proudly wore the bandannas that were lovingly made by our students at TBEMC.
When the Holocaust survivors joined us, one could sense that this encounter brought a relief, a spark of love, a smile and touch, consoling their broken souls. There was very little that was needed to be said amidst the dogs' excitement. In fact, words would have interfered in this stunning encounter.
HAMA: Tormented human beings and animals who were able to build a sacred bridge that will stay etched in my heart forever.
2009-01-14 : “Gifts of Light”
January 14, 2009
Gifts of Light
Oops! We almost forgot to share this little holiday story with all of you. Last month we had a chance to speak with PK Beville, founder of Second Wind Dreams (Tzedakah Diary, April 28, 2008, http://www.secondwind.org/), a special organization which makes dreams come true for elders living in closed-care institutions. When you live in a nursing home, the holidays can be particularly difficult. So many of the elders that Second Wind works with are not only isolated because of their confinement to a nursing facility, but many do not even have family who can bring some holiday joy into their lives.
For many years, PK and her volunteers have organized Gifts of Light...a gift extravaganza delivered to elders who might otherwise have a very quiet and sad holiday celebration. This year, the Gifts of Light program was in peril as the economy plummeted and donations dwindled. Could we help? PK was thrilled. With the Good People Fund donation, her volunteer elves hit the stores. Here is what they came up with! A wise investment on our part....
2009-01-09 : “A True Birthday ANGEL”
January 9, 2009
A True Birthday ANGEL
It is only 6:52AM as I write this and my day has already been "made"! With Israel seven hours ahead on the clock there are always early emails waiting in the dark, cold morning of winter in New Jersey.
This morning's email actually brought two "gifts" but we will save the story of the second one for another day. The message I received that truly made my day was from Ruthie Sobel Luttenberg, the creative founder of Birthday Angels who we have written about before. (Tzedakah Diary, April 29, 2008 and December 10, 2008) Earlier this week, Ruthie shared that she was going to help some of the kids from the south of Israel cope with the trauma of living in a place where rockets fall indiscriminately from the sky. This was nothing new for Ruthie. In the summer of 2006 she could be found in the shelters in the North of Israel trying to distract and cheer those kids who spent so many hours each day confined to the shelter.
With her usual warm and caring personality, it was no surprise to find the following story on my screen. Click through this link and see how one person is making life better for kids who could use some joy in their lives right now. You won't be disappointed. http://www.birthday-angels.org/site/detail/detail/detailDetail.asp?detail_id=1210387&depart_id=70698
2009-01-08 : “How One Person Feeds Hungry People”
January 8, 2009
How One Person Feeds Hungry People
Just as we were "closing down" for the day, an email popped up from our friend, Peter Freimark, a mitzvah maker extraordinaire (and board member). On May 26, 2008 we shared the story of how Peter arranged for a donation of 22 tons of frozen chicken to Cleveland-area food programs. Peter was also instrumental in getting us food for the workers in Postville, Iowa.
There are two things that particularly bother Peter - first, he doesn't like to see people go hungry, and second, he cannot abide good food going to waste. With those two principles guiding him, it was no surprise to learn that he had arranged the delivery of a truckload of food to several Cleveland-area shelters and pantries. Here is his short email describing what he had done over the past two days:
Through the good work of Joe Lordi in Youngstown we had a 53 foot truckload of beautiful food-there were skids of fresh salads in bags, milk of all types, IBC Root Beer, chocolate, Gatorade, strawberry applesauce and much, much more. Total cost for food, labor, warehouse space, vehicles, fuel and freight was $400! Now that's leverage!
We could not agree more! Kol Hakavod, Peter!
We should add one more thing here. When the economy started to plummet Peter took on some additional work which we encourage others to investigate. After visiting several local food establishments (like the local Panera's) he arranged to make pick-ups several nights each week to rescue the leftovers and deliver them to local pantries and shelters who feed hungry people. How many of us could do the same thing in our own communities? We would bet that many stores/restaurants are throwing away perfectly good food each day because there is no one who has arranged to make the pickup and get it to where it can do some good. What a great project for a few good friends to start-it could really make a difference.
2009-01-06 : “A Homerun”
January 6, 2009
A Homerun
We had a visit last week from a young man who is about to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. Lev Schechter and his Mom, Cantor Riki Lippitz came to discuss what Lev might do for his mitzvah project - how could he make a difference? I always enjoy these conversations...I learn a great deal about the young people I speak with and after a few questions I can usually point them in the right direction. Nothing quite prepared me for the speed in which this Bar Mitzvah found his "calling". No sooner did we get through some pleasantries about school and the Bar Mitzvah and that all-important question "what do you really enjoy?", than we hit pay dirt! When Lev said he enjoyed sports, I immediately thought of a new program that we recently discovered. Very tentatively, I asked, "baseball?" Lev's eyes lit up! Baseball was indeed one of his favorites. I knew right then that we had hit a homerun and I shared the story of Brett Kalikow and Homerun Hopefuls.
In 2002 when Brett (now a senior at Harvard) was a teenager vacationing with his family in the Dominican Republic he left the resort in search of a local baseball game. Nothing quite prepared him for what he discovered. Baseball, we know, is a very popular sport in the Dominican but sadly the way it is played is not always what we may recognize here. When Brett came upon a game, he saw kids using milk or juice cartons for mitts, rocks for balls and sticks for bats. The first thing Brett thought of was how much equipment he and his friends back in New York had lying around. Shoes, bats, balls, mitts, jerseys, t-shirts...who didn't have tons of this in the basement, the attic, or stuck in the back of a closet? The answer was simple.
As soon as Brett returned to New York he began to collect whatever he could find. In a very short time he had five boxes filled with perfectly good equipment. The next question was how to get it to the Dominican Republic? In time, Brett made contact with someone at the Dominican consulate and soon a shipper was found who agreed to ship the items at no cost. Brett and his family were encouraged to return to the country to distribute everything themselves and indeed, that spring they did just that. Since that first visit, Brett and his family have returned each year to distribute new collections that have been gathered by others who learned about his project. Homerun Hopefuls, Brett's non-profit, continues its good work and has become a favorite of many Bar Mitzvah kids who love baseball.
So-within perhaps 10 minutes or less, Lev Schechter knew just what he was going to do. We put him in touch with another young man who had gathered a collection for his Bar Mitzvah and also gave him a one page "how to" sheet which should get him started on his own project very soon.
Love baseball? Check out http://www.homerunhopefuls.org/.
2009-01-05 : “Life in Sderot ... and More”
January 5, 2009
Life in Sderot ... and More
An email this morning from our contacts in Sderot brought the following brief description of what life has been like over the past several days (as well as before):
...As for us in Sderot: Schools, kindergartens and nurseries are all closed. In addition, all businesses are closed except for the local supermarkets. Many residents have left the town because they find it very hard to be confined to their homes all day long.
To help Sderot's residents, "Reut" Sderot (a local organization with whom we work) organizes many different activities. Six shelters are running five days a week providing several different activities, from arts and crafts, movies and sports to actual trauma therapy. They are also providing ongoing respites to get adults and children out of the city. Over the past several weeks kids have gone to amusement parks, plays, museums and other pleasurable activities to keep them occupied and away from the daily danger, if only for brief periods. In addition, just this past weekend, 30 families were sent to several different locations throughout the country with housing and transportation costs covered by the organization.
With funds sent to us by donors who want to help out during this crisis, we are going to provide for some of these programs with the hope that they will soon not be necessary.
Related to the ongoing war in that area of Israel was an email I received a few days ago from an old friend with whom we did some relief work after September 11, 2001. Richard Smith came to New York City only a few days after the bombings and it was only a short time after that that we were introduced to him as a possible contact to help with determining how we could provide whatever was needed during those dark days. Richard became our "eyes and ears" on the scene and a friendship evolved. I knew that after Richard returned home to Virginia he had made many trips to Israel, particularly to the area around the Gaza border. His email which arrived a few days ago included a link to a very powerful video on YouTube. Dana, the young woman who speaks in the video, lives near Sderot and her words and her demeanor are extraordinarily powerful. If you want to get an idea of what life was like prior to the current war, click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kroyMfkoRHA
We think the piece says a great deal on many different levels...
2009-01-02 : “Knit 2, Purl 2 Mitzvahs ...”
January 2, 2009
Knit 2, Purl 2 Mitzvahs ...
Several years ago we learned about a Denver lawyer who loved to knit. Since she was home raising a young family she had even more time to indulge in her passion. When a friend adopted a child from an orphanage in the FSU and reported on the very sad conditions in which these children live, Kimberly Turnbow found a way to use her talents on behalf of others-she created Warm Woolies. Warm Woolies provides hand-knitted wool garments for children in these orphanages as well as children growing up in a few Native American communities not far from Denver. All are created by volunteers across the country who knit with skill and not a small amount of love.
Kimberly's efforts have proven extraordinarily successful. If you visit the group's website, http://www.warmwoolies.org/, you will see just how this small and very focused group has grown. With over 500 items knitted in their first year of operation, it looks as if Warm Woolies ended 2008 with more than 12,000 items-socks, gloves, sweaters, vests-knitted by over 1000 volunteers. This figure means that every week Warm Woolies receives about 70 packages from knitters all over the world and distributes 1000 items each month to children in cold climates who can benefit from the warmth of these beautifully crafted garments.
When we contacted Kimberly to see where we could help her work it did not take long for her to come up with just the right need for us to fill. As is the case with nearly every program we work with, monetary donations to Warm Woolies have dropped by about 40% in the past year and with that, transportation costs have risen with the increase in fuel prices in the earlier part of the year. Kimberly asked if we could help them by providing funds for the ever-important boxes they need to ship the items either nationally or internationally. The Good People Fund has agreed to underwrite part of the costs of the more than 300 cardboard boxes they use each year.
It is a pleasure to be part of Warm Woolies - they are a small but very meaningful organization that not only provides items of warmth to youngsters who would otherwise go without, but they also allow volunteers to use their own special talents on behalf of others. If you are a knitter or know someone who is, check them out!
2009-01-01 : “War In Israel - How We All Can Help”
January 1, 2009
War In Israel - How We All Can Help
Yesterday, as the year 2008 was coming to a close we received the following email from Barbara Silverman, the founder and inspiration behind A Package From Home. Barbara founded A Package From Home immediately after the start of the terror attacks in 2000. Dedicated to helping Israel's chayalim bodedim (lone soldiers) and other soldiers, Barbara, with the help of volunteers, prepares packages which contain both essentials and some "treats" to provide some comfort to those who serve on the front lines. Now, more than ever, Barbara's packages are so important to the soldiers' physical and emotional well-being. While the following letter was written on December 31, we know that Barbara will continue to provide packages as long as the funds are available. If you can help, we urge you to do so...it is not an insignificant act on the part of those who want to help Israel's soldiers as they protect the country.
2008-12-31 : “Dear Friends of a Package from Home”
December 31, 2008
Dear Friends of a Package from Home,
Sadly, Israel is again engaged in war with an enemy who indiscriminately shoots Kassam, Katyusha and Grad rockets into the immediate areas surrounding the Gaza Strip endangering the lives of Israeli citizens and disrupting a peaceful life.
To eliminate that threat, once again, Israel's young men and women are massed on the Gazan border preparing to safeguard the lives of Israelis. Their continued dedication and bravery needs our support.
On Saturday night, December 27, 2008, I received a call from our contact with the Army, Lt.-Col Tzvika Levy. He informed me that there were 1,000 soldiers at the border who needed to receive a "Package from Home".
On Sunday morning, December 28, 2008, we arranged for the delivery of the items which were to be included in the packages: two pair of socks, long underwear, long sleeved flannel undershirt, ski hat, neck warmer, energy bars, chocolate, hard candy, letters of encouragement and support in English, Hebrew, Russian and Amharic and other kinds of creature comforts (shaving cream, soap, lotions, etc) which were brought to Israel by visitors in their suit cases when they came to visit the Country. We contacted our volunteers and we were ready to pack the next day.
On Monday morning all of the items were delivered to my living room and that afternoon at about 1PM our volunteers started to pack. By 4 PM that afternoon they had packed 1,000 packages. The packages were ready for pick-up.
The Army sent 2 trucks to pick them up and by 9PM that evening the packages were delivered to the Gaza border and were distributed to the soldiers. A little later that evening, I received a number of cell phone calls from the soldiers thanking me for our immediate response to their request. Their Commander called and told me how important these packages were in lifting the soldier's morale.
We were able to respond this quickly because of your support. We had enough funds on hand to cover the cost of this packing and we still have enough funds on hand to cover the cost of the next packing which will take place on Thursday, January 1, 2009. At that time, we will be packing another 700 packages for delivery to the front. These packages will include, in addition to the items listed above, long underwear, a pair of boxer shorts and a package of 80 wet wipes.
We would not have been able to respond this quickly without the support that you have given the soldiers over the last 8 years, but after Thursday's packing, we will not have enough funds to continue to send more than a few packages at a time. In order to be able to continue to respond to the needs of our solders facing an intractable enemy, we turn to you again and ask for your help.
97% of all funds received are used to pay for the goods that are included in the packages. All of our packers are volunteers. Our packing place is made available to us without charge by Beit Knesset Hanassi, the office is in my home and printing and postal charges are paid by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. Our only expense is one part time Project Manager.
For more information about "A Package from Home", please visit our web-site at http://www.apackagefromhome.org/.
Warmest wishes for the New Year
Barbara Bloom Silverman
Founder of a Package from Home
emess@netvision.net.il
011-972-2-623-2548
2008-12-22 : “Sometimes It IS All In the Timing”
December 22, 2008
Sometimes It IS All In the Timing
A few days ago I sent an email to my dear friend Zev Birger in Jerusalem. Zev's late wife, Trudi, was an angel who helped so many families in the very poor neighborhood of Romema. Years ago, Trudi was approached by Jerusalem's late and famous mayor, Teddy Kollek, who begged her to help these families who had so little. In Trudi, Teddy saw that her fiery determination and drive would help her in this monumental task. Trudi's goal was to provide the families with food, school supplies, extra funds for medicines...whatever was needed. But, most of all, she wanted to stop the cycle of poverty that was so pervasive and she knew the best way to do that was to help the children in each of these families receive a good education that would lift them out of poverty. Today, "Trudi's kids" are professionals, teachers, technicians...and they support their own families because Trudi cared.
Sadly, Trudi died quite suddenly a few years ago and left her beloved husband Zev to carry on her work. Though Zev does not believe that he is as accomplished as his late wife, I know differently. He is as compassionate and caring as Trudi was and he has continued her work beautifully.
The email I received from Zev was very sad. As I have heard from so many of our programs, funds are scarce and so many people who have come to rely on Zev cannot be helped. He just does not have the funds to do what is needed. I responded to Zev's plea by promising to send some funds.
Within a few hours of that exchange I called an old friend Kenny Kodish in Israel to check in on him and his family. Midway into the conversation, he asked me if I knew where his Hanukah tzedakah money could make a big difference. It did not take long to answer that question. I told him to check his email when we ended our conversation, and he would find the answer. I gave him Zev's contact information and within an hour I learned that he and his beautiful children (all four of them!) would be paying Zev a visit the next day.
And so --- I was not surprised when I received the following email from Zev just a few days later.
Hi Naomi
I met Kenny... he came by with his kids They are a great Mischpoche... wonderfull Children... I was able to finance five pair of shoes and pay something for medication, Kenny is a very nice and friendly person with a good JEWISH smile, His assistance to the families came in time and he and his children made a great mitzvah. May all of them be blessed for that. Me he gave a most wonderfull Gift: A BIG HUG FROM NAOMI !!! thanks my dear... Love Zev
Sometimes, it really is all in the timing...
2008-12-15 : “A Sign of the Times”
December 15, 2008
A Sign of the Times
Until today, the headlines we all have been reading were painful to digest but still somewhat removed. With the collapse of the Madoff investments his past week there has been a seismic shift in the Jewish philanthropic world - something that many agree can never be recovered. Schools, hospitals, universities...it seems as if no one is unscathed by this disaster as the list of casualties rises hourly.
Behind the numbers, though, are real people with real needs that may never be met - and lives that may even be lost. Buried in the news of billions of dollars that have vanished (has anyone noticed that the "new billion" is really like the "old million"? - much like the new age of 60 is really "like the old 50"--numbers have taken on new meaning) are the stories of many non-profit organizations that work hard to improve and save people's lives. One of the organizations that is reporting potential difficulties is a small but critically important non-profit called The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation. What started in 1991 as a truly grass-roots effort-one family's quest to find a suitable bone marrow donor for their son and brother, Jay Feinberg, has grown to a vital and critically important institution within the Jewish community. Today, Gift of Life can proudly claim that nearly 1500 people received a match through their efforts and over 125,000 have registered to be potential donors. In recent years, Gift of Life has begun a Jewish cord blood registry which can help save the lives of individuals who have been unsuccessful in finding bone marrow or stem cell matches. With both of these registries in place, Gift of Life has positioned itself as one of the pre-eminent sources of life-saving resources for Jews world-wide. It plays a critically important role in Jewish life today.
With the unfortunate events of the past week, Jay Feinberg and Gift of Life find themselves in a difficult position. While the organization did not lose funds, many, many of its principal donors have been adversely affected by recent events and will not be able to continue the important support that they have so generously offered in the past. We would like to hope that everyone realizes the importance Gift of Life holds to the Jewish community and we ask you to visit their web site, http://www.giftoflife.org/, read about the truly outstanding work they have accomplished and consider a donation to keep that work going. None of us will ever know when or if Gift of Life's services could be the key to our own survival.
2008-12-10 : “How Does a Hanukah Gift Beome a Birthday Party?”
December 10, 2008
How Does a Hanukah Gift Beome a Birthday Party?
Turning a Hanukah Gift Into a Birthday Party
Who isn't spending time right now trying to pick that perfect gift for someone, be it adult or child, who really doesn't need anything? As I look around the homes of my kids and nieces and nephews I sometimes shudder at the number of toys and games to be found there. What could I possibly buy them that would make a difference? That might not get tossed aside after a few weeks' play? There has to be something that I can do that will not only make these kids happy but also provide some happiness for needy kids.
We believe that Ruthie Luttenberg, founder of Birthday Angels in Israel, has found the answer. When Ruthie learned how many children never experience the joy of a birthday party (or even know their actual birth date!), she started Birthday Angels with the eventual goal of providing every needy child with this joyful experience. A $36 donation makes it possible for Ruthie's volunteers to provide a school party for any child who has been referred. ...and what a party it is! Ruthie's creativity and acute sense of what is fun and magical is evident in every aspect of Birthday Angels. Visit her web site (http://www.birthday-angels.org/) and get the full story...it is a particularly meaningful way to celebrate Hanukah, a birthday or just about anything else. I know that the kids who I have honored with a donation to Birthday Angels will feel really good when they receive a thank you from the birthday child.
As one of the birthday children shared with Ruthie her own party, "When they complimented me one by one I almost cried. I didn't know any one even noticed me before." (Smadar, 10 yrs. Old)
For an even more colorful look at Birthday Angels, we suggest you follow this link to a truly beautiful online brochure which was recently created for the organization by a very talented and generous graphics company. Kol Hakavod to everyone who took part in this special mitzvah!
http://www.dbrochures.biz/files/birthdayangels.exe
2008-12-08 : “O Hanukkah, O Hanukkah ....”
December 8, 2008
O Hanukah, O Hanukkah ....
It's that time of year again...headlines may warn of impending doom and many, many people are feeling, in a most personal way, the effects of the economy's downturn, but...Hanukah is approaching.
On September 8, this diary shared a story entitled, "Sometimes It Does Take a Village". In it we described the actions of two women in Jerusalem who have enlisted their neighbors' help in caring for families in the area who are living on the edge economically. Each month they provide a supply of food to each family and on Rosh Hashonah and Pesach they try to add new shoes for the children. On Hanukah, they like to brighten the families' lives with some special toys or games requested by each child.
This year, the Good People Fund will be sending funds to make many of those gifts possible...while dreidels and sufganiyot are surely fun, nothing quite takes the place of a real toy... a doll... a game.
2008-12-04 : “A Lifesaver”
December 4, 2008
A Lifesaver
For some schools in Israel, specifically those located in very poor communities, there are never enough resources to provide the students with even the most basic of supplies...paper, books - we all know what a school needs to function effectively. Our friend, Yitz Feigenbaum, who shares in the running of Bet Hayeled, (that very special haven for kids from distressed homes that we have written about many times), recently told us a very tragic story. Bet Hayeled is located near Beit Shean (which you may know as the town where there is a huge archeological excavation that can dazzle your mind when you visit) and Yitz has often spoken about the principal of the local school who has made remarkable changes with his dedication and desire to improve the students' educational experiences.
Aside from the usual educational tools which the school needs, one additional glaring need is basic first aid equipment. The elementary school, junior and senior high school are all located on one campus and serve more than 500 students - first aid equipment such as bandages, oxygen and other life-saving equipment are essential. The critical importance of these items was tragically pointed out this fall when a high school student collapsed in the middle of a physical education class and died for lack of equipment which might have saved his life. With the generosity of some donors who are particularly interested in the welfare of children, we were able to provide half the funds for a defibrillator which will be kept on campus and managed by staff members who are being instructed in the proper use of such equipment. Another fund helped with the purchase of some basic first aid supplies, as well.
For the students in Beit Shean, the foresight of a dedicated educator and the generosity of donors from the United States, have given them some critically important tools which we hope will be rarely, if ever, used. Yasher koach to everyone who took part in this special mitzvah!
2008-12-01 : “It Never Really Ends”
December 1, 2008
It Never Really Ends
One of last week's emails came from our friends at ATZUM in Israel (http://www.atzum.org). We have shared their work with you in this diary several times. Their efforts are directed to three important areas - survivors of terror attacks, Righteous Gentiles living in Israel, and victims of human trafficking, a very serious problem in that country.
Karyn London is ATZUM's social worker who works with survivors of terror attacks, and her email which arrived this past Friday described a very sad and serious situation which required an immediate response if possible. Karyn shared the story of an Ethiopian family which had survived a terror attack several years ago. The family now includes three young children. Despite the passage of time, the wife still suffers from serious PTSD and cannot work. Fortunately, the father is employed full-time. Despite their every effort to remain independent and pay their bills, the family recently found themselves with a large electric bill which they could not pay. Though they had funds to pay for part of the bill, the company does not allow partial payment and turned off their power. With Shabbat approaching, three young children under the age of five were now living in a dark and no doubt, cold apartment.
We responded to Karyn's request to help with the electric bill immediately and have sent funds to cover the balance of the bill. Hopefully, their power will be turned back on within the next day or so. Time goes on but the scars of a terror attack never really disappear.
2008-11-18 : “Hanukkah in the Big Easy!”
November 18, 2008
Hanukkah in the Big Easy!
A few weeks ago I began a conversation with Orlie Prince and her family - Hanukkah was coming and the family wanted to do something more meaningful than exchanging gifts - they wanted to help other people. As Orlie shared with me:
This year Chanukah is all about giving for us. We feel very fortunate to have as much as we do and feel even more fortunate that we are in a position to help others during this holiday season.
They realized that the city of New Orleans had not yet recovered from the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina and chose to travel there for a week of mitzvahs and Hanukkah celebration. How could we help?
Realizing the difficulties that arise in doing any volunteer work during the Christmas-New Year break, I introduced Orlie to Samantha Lakin, a Teach for America volunteer working with a special education class in one of the area's poorest neighborhoods. Sam is not only a dynamic young woman, we know from firsthand experience just how creative and inspired she is when it comes to this type of mitzvah work. There was no doubt that connecting Sam to Orlie would produce special opportunities for everyone.
Within about 10 days, all arrangements have been made and the Prince family, including Rachel and Tamar, their two daughters, have made a generous commitment to help Sam's class in whatever ways are identified by Sam and her fellow teacher. Rachel and Tamar have written letters to the class and even shopped for special DVD's that Samantha has requested. And, as often happens, Rachel's public school teacher wants to establish a relationship with Samantha's class as well... mitzvah goreret mitzvah... one mitzvah surely leads to another!
We are excited about this connection and say Yasher Koach to the Prince family for their generosity and their intention to make Hanukkah a truly "giving" holiday.
2008-11-17 : “Somethin's Cookin'”
November 17, 2008
Somethin's Cookin'
In our November 10 diary entry, Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah, we wrote about three religious/day schools that joined together to make it possible for a new school in the flood-ravaged Mississippi Gulf Coast to purchase overhead projectors for six of their classrooms. While we are waiting for the projectors to be delivered, one of the religious schools, Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, wanted to do some more mitzvahs with their tzedakah (these kids are very impressive tzedakah-collectors under the guidance of their director, our good friend, Vinny Green).
By the strangest of coincidences, it seems that Libby Reichman who heads up Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Israel (http://www.bigbrothers.org.il), had a special request which the Wilshire Boulevard kids were more than glad to fulfill...one of the "littles" who is part of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program is "Shani," a 12 year-old Russian immigrant. Shani and her parents came to Israel several years ago but her father was very abusive and eventually jailed, leaving Shani and her Mom completely isolated and in despair-with no family and very few friends to help them. Mom and daughter struggle in many, many ways, both economically and with health issues, and up until recently have been living in extreme circumstances in a very poor apartment with few comforts. Through the efforts of several different people, Shani and her Mom have moved to a fresh, bright apartment and Libby felt that a brand new stove would be a very special gift for this family that has never had anything new at all.
So, with the help of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple students a new stove will be purchased for the family AND the students will also send several of their favorite recipes (written in both Hebrew and English) so Shani and her Mom can not only try out their new oven but also know that they are not alone, that there are generous kids in California who wanted to make their lives a little bit better.
Yasher koach to the WBT school...awesome tzedakah work!
2008-11-14 : “Hotel as Home”
November 14, 2008
Hotel as Home
Travelers who visited Jerusalem many years ago will remember the famous Diplomat Hotel where luxurious suites and beautiful views of the surrounding hillsides could catch your breath. As often happens to hotels that are not properly maintained, the Diplomat lost its luster, fell into disrepair and eventually became an absorption center where (mostly) Russian olim (immigrants) settled in single rooms that still offered those amazing views, but not much else. The elderly residents were grateful for the chance to live in Israel and somehow overlooked the cramped quarters where they had but four walls and a bathroom in which to spend their days.
Life for these people-many were formerly teachers and doctors and professors and scientists before they left the FSU for better times in Israel-changed dramatically when a former Canadian named Alice Jonah happened to offer to fill in as a volunteer for a friend who was an activity director at the "hotel-turned-home". It turned out that the friend never returned to the Diplomat and Alice became an integral part of life there. Working first as a volunteer and then as an employee, Alice turned this little village into a caring community. She instituted an ulpan (Hebrew language class), a beautiful choir that performs throughout the country, exercise classes, computer lessons, trips-meaningful social and cultural opportunities for the residents to enjoy. At one time, Alice actually organized the group to protest the Egged bus company's refusal to move the bus stop closer to the hotel so that the elderly residents did not have to climb a steep hill to reach the buses that would take them to other parts of the city. As expected, the protest was successful and the bus stop was moved closer to the hotel's entrance!
Perhaps, Alice's greatest achievement was the formation of a group of residents who became "home health aides" for the weaker residents who needed a few hours of extra care each day. To Alice (and the residents) this was a win-win situation. Using donated funds, Alice was able to pay a modest wage to those who offered their help (who live and the recipients benefited from the extra care they received daily.
When Alice wrote today mentioning that her funds to underwrite this very important activity were running low, we were happy to be able to tell her that we would forward additional money to keep this truly important activity going. It helps everyone!
2008-11-13 : “SUNDAY (and Monday, and Tuesday, and Wednesday, and ....) FRIENDS”
November 13, 2008
SUNDAY (and Monday, and Tuesday, and Wednesday, and ....) FRIENDS
Twelve years ago, Janis Baron was a typical suburban Mom with three teenage kids enjoying a comfortable life in sunny California. The one "problem" that gnawed away at her was that her kids never really knew adversity-not that she wanted them to be anything other than happy, but she knew that they really had to learn how others lived-that everyone did not lead an easy and comfortable life. She also knew that volunteerism, which was an important part of her own life, was something her kids and many of their friends never really experienced.
With the hope that she could somehow change that situation, Janis arranged to take her kids and some of their friends to a nearby homeless shelter where her hope was that the kids would interact and develop a connection. She could not have been more disappointed with the outcome-the shelter kids just did not "connect" with their visitors. But...that all changed when she came up with the idea of having the kids work together to clean up the grounds around the shelter. The reward for cleaning up was stickers which seemed to somehow inspire the kids (and then their parents) to do more. From cleaning up to creating original artwork to beautify the shelter, Janis had discovered the key to a successful program.
Today, Sunday Friends runs a twice-monthly program in a local San Jose school. The program attracts the area's poorest families (mostly first or second generation immigrants) who work together with volunteers "empowering families in need to break the cycle of poverty. Children and parents earn basic necessities while they contribute to their community, learn life skills and develop self-sufficiency." Just how they "contribute to their community" is accomplished by offering the participants classes in parenting, developing a good work ethic, perfecting job skills and other critical "life lessons". One of the activities that I particularly like is when kids and/or parents sit down to write thank you notes to donors who contribute to Sunday Friends. Here they learn several skills not the least of which is to perfect their language and writing.
In return for participation in the day's program, participants earn credits which they can use in the "Sunday Friends Treasure Chest". What is in this treasure chest? The very important basic necessities everyone needs-diapers, school supplies, personal items.
The Sunday Friends model works. A visit to their web site describes many successful pieces of this program that change lives not only for the participants but also for the volunteers who contribute their time to make it all happen. San Jose, California (where Sunday Friends is located) is not unlike many other parts of this country. Think of how many people could be helped if this model was adopted in other regions.
In our conversation with Janis Baron today, we asked her what a donation would do right now to help her in her work. Her email response said it all:
OF COURSE, we can use $500 for the holiday season! Our families' greatest need, to be honest, is for enough consumable products, such as diapers, toiletries and laundry detergent, to get them through the long break between our December 14 program and the January 11 program.
We are hoping to receive enough gifts from our community to sweeten the holidays, but our donors are turning their attention to toys right now and neglecting the ongoing basic needs. We want our families, some of whom are losing jobs in this trying economy, to be able to make ends meet until the new opportunities arrive in the new year. They are earning and saving their tickets and hoping to find the needed commodities in our Treasure Chest. Your donation of $500 will allow me to say YES instead of NO to fully stocking our "store" with the basic necessities this December.
Please visit http://www.sundayfriends.org/ to learn more about Janis' dream...we think you will be impressed.
2008-11-10 : “Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah”
November 10, 2008
Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah (loosely translated as "one good deed leads to another")
A call came to us in early September from Amee Sherer, a friend and teacher at the Community Day School in Seattle. Could we find a worthwhile recipient in the hurricane-ravaged Mississippi-New Orleans area that would benefit from her students' first tzedakah collection? The only stipulation was that they wanted to help other kids. Sure, we thought, this can't be too hard - many people, kids and adults alike, are still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina that destroyed so much over three years ago. We asked for a little time to find just the right need and then offered the kids a challenge - we would match whatever they raised, giving them twice the power to change the world.
We made a call to Sue Halpern who lives on the Gulf-coast of Mississippi. Sue has been our guide and advisor for the work we have done in the region and has always been able to find just the right places where our tzedakah efforts would have the greatest impact. Could she find a good "home" for this tzedakah money - a place where kids' lives would be enhanced? As expected, it did not take long for Sue to introduce us to the new school that was just completed in Hancock County. The Hancock Elementary school replaces three schools in the area that all sustained catastrophic damage during Hurricane Katrina. It took three years to construct this new building and students were moving in on October 14. Give them a few weeks to settle in and Sue was sure there would be many items that the kids could use in their new home.
It did not take long for us to make contact with one of the school's administrators and just like that - we had a list! First and foremost on the list of needs were overhead projectors for several of the classrooms. School budgets allowed for only so many and there were still six classrooms waiting for this important teaching tool. We knew that the Seattle Community Day School tzedakah along with our matching money would take care of one classroom, but could we do even more? A few phone calls later and a Washington, DC and a Los Angeles-based religious school were on board with their tzedakah and six overhead projectors would be going to Mississippi!
Kids helping kids - just the way it is supposed to be...
2008-11-05 : “The Righteous Among Us”
November 5, 2008
The Righteous Among Us
We have worked with the Israel-based organization, ATZUM, for many years. Their focus has been not only to help people who have been impacted by terror attacks, but also foreign workers and Righteous Gentiles - non-Jews whose brave actions have been recognized as saving the lives of Jews during the Second World War. Yael Rosen, ATZUM's dedicated staff person who works with the Righteous Gentiles in Israel wrote me this morning with a story that was at once both poignant and astounding.
A.T., now an elderly woman living in Israel, was from Ukraine and worked as a housekeeper for a Jewish man and his children whose physical appearance allowed them to live unbothered by officials. When that situation was no longer safe, the man and his children moved to another city where they were able to successfully portray themselves as Poles. While in that city, they sent for A.T. who resumed her work as the family's housekeeper. Prior to this move, A.T. had no idea that the family was Jewish. Once in the new location she continued to work for them acting as if she were the mother and wife of the family, and often protecting their true identity when need be. This arrangement continued until 1944 when the area was liberated. When the war was over the next year, she and the father formally acknowledged the extent of their relationship which had grown from one of convenience to actual love by marrying and migrating to Israel along with the father's two sons.
Today, A. T. is an elderly woman who requires almost 24-hour care. Her income is meager and her family helps to the extent that they can but the cost of nearly round-the-clock care is beyond their means.
Yael explained A.T.'s situation and provided us with all of the relevant financial information. Could we help? How could we not? The Good People Fund has committed to underwriting several month's of care for A.T...something which she most definitely deserves.
2008-11-03 : “Chicks With Sticks!”
November 3, 2008
Chicks With Sticks!
A call came in this morning from my dear friend Barbara Silverman, founder of A Package From Home (see diary September 16, 2008 - A Package From Your Home) which provides packages to lone solders serving in the IDF (lone soldiers are young men and women with no family in Israel who volunteer to serve in the army). It was not hard to hear the excitement in Barbara's voice as she shared the story of "Chicks With Sticks"...a group of Israeli women who enjoy knitting and other handcrafts. When the group was looking for a meaningful project for which they could use their talents, the idea came up to knit warm hats for soldiers serving in the army. It seems that the standard IDF-issued hat was not particularly warm or comfortable and the hat that the group came up with was just perfect...in comfort and style and conformed to regulation standards as well. So, the pattern was shared, knitting started and word spread. The result has been pretty impressive. As Barbara just wrote in an email this afternoon...
Just this past week, "A Package from Home" packaged 175 hats for soldiers serving in Golani and tank units. When they came to pick up the packages and saw the hats they were thrilled. The hats that soldiers currently receive from the army are made of a synthetic fleece-type fabric that's nowhere near as warm and snug. One of the soldiers asked me to make sure the packages he gets all have hand knit hats.
The hats provide physical warmth and emotional support and we feel good knowing that somewhere tonight, a soldier doing guard duty in the cold will be wearing a warm hand knit hat, made with love.
The weather is getting colder and time is of the essence. Our goal for the coming winter is to get an additional 2000 hand knit hats to lone soldiers serving in combat units. If you are a knitter or know someone who loves to knit and wants to help keep our soldiers warm this winter, please see attached pattern. All hats must be made to pattern in order to conform to army regulations.
The finished caps can be sent to Barbara at 12/63 Keren Kayemet L'Israel Street, Jerusalem, Israel 92428. The best part? The cost of the wool is about $4.00! If you are a knitter or know one, pass this on. It is a great project - quick, easy and cost-effective as well.
Simple Soldier's Hat, Two Ways
There are two patterns here, one for a hat that can be knit flat on two straight needles and one for a hat that can be knit in the round on a circular needle and/or double pointed needles. The latter method is recommended because it requires less sewing up at the end and tends to look neater.
Yarn: You must use machine washable plain black worsted weight yarn - this is in order to comply with both the soldiers' requests and army regulations. Look for a yarn that is soft, warm and non-felting. Superwash wool is best, acrylic or a wool/acrylic mix is okay. You'll probably need about 220 yds. / 200 m.
Gauge: 24 or 28 stitches = 4 inches/10 cm. in K2P2 rib stitch
Needles: Use whatever size needle you need to get gauge. The 4 mm - 5.5 mm range is a good place to start. For circulars, use a small circumference, 12" to 16".
Pattern A: Knit on Two Straight Needles
Loosely cast on 98 stitches and work back and forth in K2 P2 rib as follows:
Round 1 (right side): K1, [K2, P2] until one stitch remains, K1
Round 2 (wrong side): P1, [K2, P2] until one stitch remains, P1
Repeat these 2 rounds until work measures 9.5 inches / 24 cm., ending with a wrong side row.
Shape crown
Row 1: On right side, K1, [K2, P2tog], K1. 74 stitches remain.
Row 2: P1, [K1, P2], P1
Row 3: On right side, K1, [K2tog, P1], K1. 50 stitches remain.
Row 4: P1, [K1, P1], P1
Row 5: K1 [K2tog], K1. 26 stitches remain.
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: K1, [K2tog], K1. 14 stitches remain.
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: K1, [K2tog], K1. 8 stitches remain
Break yarn, leaving a 20-inch / 51 cm. length. With a tapestry needle, thread the yarn through the remaining 8 stitches (pull tight) and then sew up the back seam using mattress stitch, being careful to match up the rows. For help with mattress stitch, see here: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/mattress.html, or here: http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/misc.php
(scroll down to "Finishing" and then select "mattress stitch" for a short video demo)
Weave in the ends and admire your work! Please wash & dry your hat before mailing.
Pattern B: Knit first on a Circular Needle, and then on Double Pointeds
(Or, you can work the entire hat on double pointed needles, if you prefer)
Loosely cast on 96 stitches. Join work, place marker, and work in K2 P2 rib until work measures 9.5 inches / 24 cm.
Shape crown
(Here you begin a series of decrease rounds. When you find the hat getting too small to work on the circular needle, switch to double pointed needles.)
Round 1: K2, P2tog to end of round. 72 stitches remain.
Round 2: K2 P1
Round 3: K2tog, P1 to end of round. 48 stitches remain.
Round 4: K1, P1
Round 5: K2tog to end of round. 24 stitches remain.
Round 6: Knit
Round 7: K2tog to end of round. 12 stitches remain.
Round 8: Knit
Round 9: K2tog to end of round. 6 stitches remain.
Break yarn, leaving a 6-inch / 15 cm. length. With a tapestry needle, thread the yarn through the remaining 6 stitches (pull tight). Weave in the ends and admire your work! Please wash & dry your hat before mailing.
2008-11-01 : “Fishing For Life”
November 1, 2008
Fishing for Life
"My body is tired but my spirit is renewed. I leave with memories of strong, beautiful women and a new experience to build on. I leave with the information that will help me to continue on as a survivor..."
The woman who wrote these moving words was one of the more than 3500 women who have been privileged to take part in a unique form of therapy provided by Casting for Recovery for survivors of breast cancer. CFR was founded in 1996 with the goal of helping women recover, both physically and emotionally, through the unique benefits of fly-fishing...a sport which uses just those muscles most affected by breast cancer surgery. Couple the physical benefits with a weekend retreat in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded not only by other women experiencing the very same turmoil, but also a group of volunteers committed in every way to making the event transformative, and you have a very special experience that can truly change everyone who takes part.
Though the national organization has achieved a great deal of success in the twelve years it has been in existence, we know from our conversation with Jacki Lappen, CFR's Manager of Volunteer Services that there are several groups in specific geographic areas across the country who have great difficulty in organizing and raising the funds necessary in sponsoring a retreat. The Good People Fund has committed funds to help one of these groups by offering matching funds for "new money" they may raise before year's end. If they are successful in that endeavor, we will offer the group support to cover their participation in a national meeting scheduled for next Spring which is dedicated to teaching and guiding fund-raising events.
Casting for Recovery is something which every breast cancer survivor should know about. It can bring amazing benefits to those who partake of the experience. Visit http://www.castingforrecovery.org/ to learn more...and when you have checked them out, pass along the URL to someone you may know who has been affected by this disease. It could change a life in many ways.
2008-10-20 : “A Safe Haven”
October 20, 2008
A Safe Haven
Did you ever wonder what happens to all of those hotel rooms that sit empty night after night? Few, if any hotels and motels have 100% occupancy 365 nights a year. In 1991 Naomi Berman-Potash who was working in the hotel industry at the time, asked that very same question. It came to her after she read a news article that discussed the shortage of safe rooms for women who arrive at local shelters for battered women. Naomi thought immediately of the empty hotel rooms she knew were to be found throughout the country, and had the "aha moment!"...why couldn't she connect the shelters with hotels in their area and solve a serious problem? Naomi knew that there were details that needed to be worked out but they were just that - details, and before long she started Project Debby. Today, more than 17 years since its founding, Project Debby has provided thousands of women with safe haven while hotels throughout this country work in cooperation with local shelters to make it possible.
Project Debby works with minimal overhead and in our last phone conversation with Naomi we heard about her latest successes in getting the program to more cities. We have just sent her some funds to keep her good work going...it is a true life-saver.
2008-10-17 : “The Face of Hunger Revisited”
October 17, 2008
The Face of Hunger Revisited
A few days ago (see October 12 entry - The Real Face of Hunger) we wrote about the very real problems of hunger facing many people in this country today. Newspapers, magazines...all types of media have reported on the crisis that has erupted since the economic meltdown began earlier this year. We even shared (in the above-noted piece) our own experiences as we hear directly from both individuals who are personally affected and from programs throughout the country that are hard-pressed to provide what is needed in their own communities.
Because of the current situation, the email we received this morning from our friend Syd Mandelbaum of Rock and Wrap It Up! (http://www.rockandwrapitup.org/) takes on particular significance. Syd's newsletter shared word of several of his organization's new programs - each designed to address hunger and poverty in creative and meaningful ways. Originally started to retrieve leftovers from performance venues, Syd's most recent success has been the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 which requires all federal buildings that serve food to retrieve leftover food from its premises and get it to local agencies that will use it to feed hungry people that they serve. 32 federal buildings in Washington, DC will be actively involved in the inception of this program by working closely with 204 local agencies that will benefit from the leftovers. Syd has also made contact with New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and five of its hospitals will share leftover meals with local shelters.
We cannot help but think that creative programs such as Syd's have taken on even greater importance today as we face the difficulties of an economic slowdown. We know that this country produces enough food to feed its citizens - the solution has always been to get it to where it is needed. We believe that Rock and Wrap It Up! is a very important piece of the solution. Take a look at their website to learn more.
2008-10-16 : “Getting Out of the House”
October 16, 2008
Getting Out of the House
Linda Mosek is a professional in everything that she does. As a social worker and head of CLICK, an Israeli organization that provides social services for elderly residents in the city of Hod HaSharon, Linda is often aware of difficult situations involving her elders that could benefit from some immediate attention. We are always "on call" for her and when we can, will help fix whatever problem she might be trying to resolve. Her latest email describes a poor, elderly, handicapped woman who would very much benefit from taking part in CLICK's center for disabled people but cannot do so because her handicaps and extreme overweight make it impossible for her to travel in the center's van that transports the elders. A private cab would provide the solution for this problem but the cost is beyond the woman's meager income. Could we help? It would cost the equivalent of $14. for each day the cab delivered her to the center where she could interact with others and benefit from the socialization the group experience would provide.
Could we help?
Because of the generosity of a donor who has contributed funds to us for just these types of situations, we were able to send Linda a check that will guarantee this elder gets out of the house each week for the next several months. Tzedakah money well spent!
2008-10-12 : “The Real Face of Hunger”
October 12, 2008
The Real Face of Hunger
I am a single mom with two teens. I have contacted the Met Council there is a waiting list for the food pantry. Do you have any other suggestions?
This is but one email we have received over the past few weeks which relates to the very serious situation facing many, many people in this country today.
The past several weeks have not been easy for anyone here in the United States or most anywhere in the world. The unprecedented economic free-fall is a stark reminder that all is not well and will, no doubt, stay that way for some time to come.
Because so much of what the Good People Fund does relates to the most basic of human needs-shelter, clothing, food...it is not surprising that we are hearing about serious problems when it comes to individuals and families who are struggling to put food on their table. The writer of the above email actually works full-time and yet, she is having difficulty feeding her family. Perhaps, even more distressing is that she mentions that the Met Council (The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty in New York City) has a waiting list for new clients.
What we hear from this woman is repeated to us often...the programs that we work with that do provide food are being pressed beyond their limits with new applicants who cannot provide sustenance to themselves or their families.
We worry and we wonder where this is all going to go....
2008-10-10 : “Recording and Remembering History - Toldot Yisrael”
October 10, 2008
Recording and Remembering History - Toldot Yisrael
Can you imagine what it would be like to watch a DVD which features George Washington and our nation's founders speaking about their personal experiences as they fought for independence from England? How much more "real" would our country's birth be for all of us? What we describe is just fantasy as we all know that the technology needed to make that happen was hundreds and hundreds of years away from being developed.
Not so for the founding of another nation that plays a significant role for us as Jews.
At the time of the founding of the State of Israel in 1948, there were approximately 600,000 Jews over the age of 15 living in the country. 60 years have now passed and there remain about 120,000 elders, each with unique memories from that momentous time. Some were active participants in the State's founding-having served in the Palmach, the Irgun, the Haganah. While reading Leon Uris' Exodus (and staring into those amazing blue eyes of the late Paul Newman), or a boring history book may fill in some of the story, nothing quite compares to hearing first-hand accounts from those who experienced the pain, the excitement and ultimately the joy of the founding of the State.
Aryeh Halivni (Eric Weisberg), the founder of Toldot Yisrael made aliyah several years ago. He knows that time is quickly running out and that recording (visual and audio) the stories of those participants is something that must be done now if that unique aspect of the story is to be preserved. He also knows that today the technology for recording and preserving those stories does exist.
Utilizing the latest tools in digital recording, Toldot Yisrael has begun the huge task of recording the reminiscences of those who played a vital role in Israel's founding. When completed, the testimonies will become part of a huge interactive database and archive.
We write about Aryeh's efforts for many reasons-not the least of which is the importance of what he is doing and the extraordinary time sensitivity involved as those who hold these recollections age. We also believe that a Bar or Bat Mitzvah might find this project meaningful and be moved to contribute some tzedakah to underwrite the critical interviews. Aryeh tells us that between $350-$500 would help underwrite an individual interview. How exciting and meaningful it would be to know that you helped record stories about the founding of the State of Israel.
To learn more about Toldot Yisrael, check out http://www.toldotyisrael.org/.
2008-10-06 : “Puzzling Bar Mitzvah Project”
October 06, 2008
Puzzling Bar Mitzvah Project
Rabbi Neal Gold is an old friend who we have known since his earliest days in Rabbinical School. Now the Rabbi of Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, Massachusetts, we can always count on Rabbi Gold to send us leads on some pretty spectacular tzedakah or mitzvah ideas. We were not disappointed yesterday when an email arrived sharing the story of Max Wallack, one of Rabbi Gold's students who recently celebrated his Bar Mitzvah. After reading a bit more about Max in Rabbi Gold's email I knew that I wanted to speak with him and so I sent Max an email asking him when we might have a few minutes to chat. In a very short time he responded and suggested this afternoon "after he returned home from school". (How many times have I had to wait until late in the day after school hours to talk to some amazing mitzvah kid? Many!)
I was not disappointed as Max was a thoroughly charming young man who conveyed his excitement about this project and his wish to help other kids do the same thing in their own community. Here is what Max shared with me:
About a year and a half ago, my great grandmother who lived with my family, died of dementia. I had spent a lot of time those last few weeks visiting her in dementia units after she could no longer be at home. I saw how bored and agitated the patients were. I read a lot about the illness and discovered many research articles that showed that doing jigsaw puzzles could delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, or even slow down their progression in affected patients. I decided, initially for my Bar Mitzvah project, to collect puzzles and donate them for the use of these patients. I wrote many emails to companies all over the world. More than a dozen companies sent puzzles. One company producing art puzzles even sent them at their own expense ($197) from Italy!! Initially, I was hoping to accumulate a hundred puzzles.
As the week went by, I became more and more involved in my project. I decided to make a website, and to place collection buckets around the area I live in. I now collect from about 15 locations over a 20 mile radius from my home. I've just reached 500 puzzles collected. I've also been talking to some students at a local college. Some of them have been told they can get credit for community service for helping me. We are trying to set up a lollipop sale, where I could make Halloween and Thanksgiving lollipops, and they would sell them on campus. All the money would go to purchase more puzzles. I also hope to eventually be able to form my own non profit agency to continue this work.
I have absolutely no doubt that Max's wish to start a non-profit will come to fruition. He has not only succeeded in coming up with a fabulous Mitzvah Project, he is also a recognized inventor who, despite being just 12 years old, has already invented the Carpal Cushion (a special cushion to be wrapped around the wrist to help people who do tasks with repetitive motion), the Great Granny Booster Step, a special step to help elderly and handicapped people climb into minivans and SUV's, and the Walk and Wait Cane-- a cane with a sturdy fold out seat attached, suitable for elderly people as well. Max told me that he thinks that he has a responsibility to help other people by using his particular skills...we would have to agree!
For more information on Max's project, visit http://www.puzzlestoremember.org/ or write directly to Max to learn how you can do this in your community. Max can be reached at inventorkid@gmail.com.
Pretty awesome...
2008-10-02 : “Neighbors Helping Neighbors”
October 02, 2008
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
For most Israelis, life goes on fairly routinely since the end of the terror attacks that rained down upon the country for so long beginning in the year 2000. For the people of Sderot in the South, life is anything but routine or normal. Subjected to ongoing rocket attacks from Gaza, Sderot is a city in trauma. Originally settled by immigrants from North Africa, today the municipality of about 20,000 is home also to many from the FSU. Ongoing rocket attacks have left a population that almost universally suffers from PTSD. Anyone who has the economic means to leave has done so, while the remaining population has had to "make adjustments" in their daily lives.
We recently learned about a beautiful effort started by a number of Israelis who wanted to just do something to help the city's residents. We were intrigued and upon further investigation were introduced to Yossi Cohen*, a private citizen who, along with family and friends wanted to help people in Sderot on a person-to-person level. As Yossi recently wrote to me:
Their (the group's) principles are: direct contact with families and individuals who fall through the cracks of the social services; no publicity, no expenses or overhead costs, and pinpointing the needs with the help of local social workers and activists...."
This sounded very interesting and after several further exchanges with Yossi we learned about a young Ethiopian woman, C.W. who, as the divorced single parent of a young daughter, lived in Sderot with her mother. When Yossi and his friends met C.W. they were impressed by her earnestness and her strong desire to get an education (something her former husband would not allow) so that she could support her child and her mother in a meaningful way. Through the generosity of one individual, C.W.'s education and modest living expenses were underwritten and the group received regular updates on her progress in school. By strange happenstance, Yossi recently learned that C.W.'s apartment was in foreclosure due to circumstances related to actions taken by her former husband and over which she had absolutely no control. How could he and his group resolve this new problem which surely threatened the outcome of C.W.'s attempts to complete her education and become self-supporting? Through a series of phone calls and meetings with banks and attorneys, Yossi managed to get the bank to reduce the amount owed and with the help of others including the Good People Fund, the loan was retired and C.W. and her family are no longer faced with the threat of losing their home and a possibly brighter future.
What could be better? To think that this all happened because of the actions of a small group of concerned and involved people who believed that it was their responsibility to help. We like the way this small group works-they surely "get it".
*not his real name
2008-09-22 : “Hurricanes and the Jews in Cuba”
September 22, 2008
Hurricanes and the Jews in Cuba
June Safran is a perfect example of a good person. Based in Berkeley, California, June, as head of the Cuba-America Jewish Mission (http://www.cajm.org/), has dedicated a good part of her life to improving the lives of the remaining Jews living in Cuba (as well as those who have made aliyah from Cuba). For years she has traveled on her own or with groups, introducing them to this small and yet vital community. She and the many volunteers who work with her have encouraged and fostered a return to Judaism, both culturally and religiously.
This afternoon's emails included one from June which shared information about the very serious effects of both Hurricanes Gustave and Ike which were the greatest natural disasters in the history of the island. No aspect of life in Cuba has been untouched--hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed, infrastructure ripped asunder, and the country's agriculture (critical to both those living on the island and for export) nearly completely destroyed. June shared that there will be critical food shortages for many months to come.
Could we help? With June's extensive network, one of her volunteers would be traveling to Cuba in a few weeks and could facilitate some type of food relief. This was something we felt we had to do-Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh L'Zeh-every Jew is responsible for every other. A check is going out today.
2008-09-19 : “Challenging Kids for Tzedakah”
September 19, 2008
Challenging Kids for Tzedakah
The Seattle Jewish Community School has a rich tradition of teaching tzedakah at all age levels. Our good friend Amee Sherer, a teacher in the school, called us just as school was about to begin and asked if we had connections on the Gulf Coast where hurricanes (or tropical storms) were rolling in on an almost daily basis. The school would like to partner with the Good People Fund in helping those impacted by the storms' destruction-possibly with a school where a personal connection could be made between the Seattle and Mississippi students. Tzedakah collected during the first month of school would be donated to us to be disbursed as we uncover needs.
We knew that it would not be difficult to find a worthy recipient of the tzedakah...so many schools (and families) were still reeling from Hurricane Katrina of three years ago, let alone from the recent storms.
Wanting to give the kids a little "kick start" to their first collection of the year, we told Amee that we would match whatever the kids raised, up to $250. This was a challenge that no one wanted to turn down! We can't wait to see what the school collects...we'll let you know and also share how the funds are to be used.
Kid Power!
2008-09-18 : “Sometimes It Really Does Take a Village Part II”
September 18, 2008
Sometimes It Really Does Take a Village Part II
On September 8, 2008 (Sometimes It Really Does Take a Village) we shared with you the story of two women in Israel who have taken it upon themselves to enlist their neighbors' help in providing food and other needs for families in the vicinity who do not have the means to do so themselves.
This morning, at about 6:45am our time, I received an email from one of the women, who shared that they had picked up the holiday food coupons that we had purchased on their behalf (they were thrilled!); but that they were short a few hundred dollars in their wish to provide new shoes for the children in these families. Could we help?
By 7:30am we had exchanged several emails relating to the shoe purchases and by 8:40 we were on the phone with the shoe store in Jerusalem making the financial arrangements to get the shoe purchases completed.
In less than two hours from a distance of about 6000 miles it was all arranged and several children will have new shoes with which to start the New Year!
It doesn't get much better!
2008-09-16 : “Package From Your Home”
September 16, 2008
Package From Your Home
Barbara Silverman was a wife and mother and grandmother (albeit one with a rich legacy of activism that goes back decades) when terror attacks broke out in Israel in 2000. Frustrated by her strong desire to just do something, she gathered friends and families and started preparing packages that were sent off to soldiers serving on the front-lines. When an email was sent off to some friends and family funds started to arrive and A Package From Home was started. Today, the organziation has sent out more than 140,000 packages and hundreds of Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids have made the program part of their own mitzvah project.
This past summer, A Package From Home was asked about the possibility of providing a weekend away for several soldiers who were seriously wounded during the last war in Lebanon (2006) and were still hospitalized, undergoing difficult and painful treatment. Once a donor was found, Barbara proceeded to make plans and ultimately six soldiers were given permission to leave the hospital. In Barbara's own words:
... on Thursday evening we arranged a wonderful banquet at one of Jerusalem's finest meat restaurants. The first of the soldiers to arrive was Amit wearing a brace on his head and upper body. He was accompanied by his father and a young woman aide. As he got to the table I observed his girlfriend putting her hand underneath one of his arms to steady him as he slowly tried to seat himself. He looked up at her with an adoring smile, gently turned her hand over and very tenderly kissed her fingertips. The other soldiers arrived shortly thereafter and a festive meal was had by all. After dessert, each soldier was presented with a special gift of sweets by A Package from Home...and they were taken to the Ramat Rachel Hotel where they were cordially welcomed. The hotel... warmly greeted their guests and graciously supplied a special basket of fresh fruit in each room.
Friday morning after a sumptuous Israeli breakfast, they set out to visit a goat cheese farm at Sataf. Back at the hotel, those who were able took advantage of the swimming pool before they got ready for Shabbat. That evening, they were served a sumptuous meal. Saturday they rested and enjoyed a full board of culinary delights.
Each of the soldiers remarked what a pleasure it was to have a change from the hospital environment and food and expressed their deep gratitude...
Take a look at http://www.apackagefromhome.org/ to learn more about Barbara's work and perhaps contribute to her efforts. She is doing very special work.
2008-09-14 : “Storm Weary...”
September 14, 2008
Storm Weary...
As we watch the news coming out of Texas today, it is hard to grasp the true extent of the devastation that occurred when Hurricane Ike hit the coast at the start of the weekend. What makes the situation even more tragic is that this particular hurricane came quickly on the heels of two other storms that destroyed homes and killed hundreds in the Caribbean.
Our friend, Ray Buchanan, founder of Stop Hunger Now, an international relief agency, was in touch on Friday and shared word of some of the destruction that had occurred in Haiti when Hurricane Gustave hit the island two weeks ago. Stop Hunger Now is our "go-to" place when we want to send funds to help in the relief effort but have no personal connection on the ground. We trust Ray and his staff and know that any funds we send them will be used quickly and efficiently, which is why we are now responding to his latest email which offered the following:
More than 500 people have been reported dead and more than 650,000 people have been affected in Haiti since the crushing storms Hurricane Gustov, Hurricane Fay and Tropical Storm Hanna. Stop Hunger Now is responding during this vital time of Haiti's crisis. It is feared more deaths could emerge since aid is trickling slowly into the country. "The toll is increasing hourly," warned United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Hum anitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Stop Hunger Now is working to send four shipments of life saving food and clothing valued at $1 million to provide much needed relief for the victims in Haiti who are facing life threatening situations.
Stop Hunger Now must raise $28,000 to finance the costs of shipping these containers. Although this need is considerable, the need for relief in Haiti is greater.
The Good People Fund has sent some funds to help cover the shipping expenses involved in sending this humanitarian aid to a storm-weary island which could face even more turmoil as the hurricane season continues. (http://www.stophungernow.org/)
2008-09-11 : “Growing Old in St. Petersburg”
September 11, 2008
Growing Old in St. Petersburg
Though Igor Feldblyum moved to the United States from the Former Soviet Union many years ago, he never forgot his roots or the many elderly people living in extraordinary poverty in this city. How could he help them despite the distance that separated him from his ancestry?
Am Echad, the small non-profit started by Igor several years ago was his way of trying to help lonely and often sick elders for whom a small monthly stipend would make a difference. With the help of contacts living in the city, elders are identified and modest sums of money are delivered regularly. For all of them, this small additional income, combined with the fact that there is someone who cares about them, makes life a bit easier.
In addition to the monthly allotments, Igor is often contacted when there is an emergency need (usually medical). When we were in touch with Igor this week he shared the story of L.G., a woman who was one of his first recipients. L.G. has limited mobility due to ongoing medical problems and lives in severe pain nearly all of the time. With the help of a translator, L.G. was able to write to Igor and explain her needs:
Dear Igor,
At the advice of ..., I am writing to you directly.
Unfortunately, my health is not improving as the years go by. This is what should be expected, of course. I am ashamed to trouble you, but the current situation does not leave me with any choice. Once again, - for a long while already, - my health is "tumbling down". The only treatment that I can afford, my last hope, is intense massage. However, its cost has gone up, like everything else here, and I cannot afford it with my income. It would be a stroke of luck to find a masseuse who would agree to work with me for 500-600 rubles per session [translator's note: about $25]. My doctor, thanks to whom I can still function, insists on 15-20 sessions with a masseuse. I would be sincerely appreciative if Am Echad could cover even a partial amount.
I hope that all is well with you. I would be very happy if I could be of any help to Am Echad [translator's note: In the past, L. G. did volunteer work for Am Echad, gathering preliminary information about potential Am Echad recipients over the phone.]
I wish you all the best. Thank you very much for everything. Without your support, my life would be incomparably more difficult, both physically and morally.
L. G.
We can't imagine a better investment of $500 to help L.G regain some relief from the constant pain she lives with and have forwarded a check to Igor to assure her this treatment.
Igor's efforts prove that small sums of money can change people's lives for the better and that distance does not necessarily make that impossible. We are proud to be part of this very special work.
2008-09-08 : “Sometimes, It Does Take A Village....”
September 08, 2008
Sometimes, It Does Take A Village....
Sometimes, it really does take a village to...raise a child, feed a family, put shoes on little feet or buy school supplies for eager students.
We were recently in touch with two people whose actions, we believe, represent the very essence of what the Good People Fund is really all about. They represent a group of neighbors and friends who provide monthly food packages for nine needy families in their Jerusalem neighborhood. All families are vetted by a social worker and all are living in extraordinarily difficult circumstances...a family of 4 children living with their unemployed divorced parent in a 1.5 room apartment; an elderly widow with five adult children, four of whom are handicapped and the fifth now severely handicapped from army service; an Ethiopian family with four children under the age of ten and a parent with a brain tumor...each situation heartbreaking in its own right, one worse than the other.
How does this small group make such a profound difference? They have absolutely no overhead, all purchases, packing and delivery is done by volunteers and all funds collected go to food purchases other than occasionally purchasing gift certificates for a local shoe store when little feet need new shoes for school.
The Good People Fund is providing this group with extra supermarket scrip for upcoming holiday purchases...perhaps the New Year will be better for these nine families. In some way they are blessed to have neighbors who take the mitzvah of lechem l're'eyvim, feeding hungry people, very seriously.
(See Part II, September 18, 2008)
2008-09-07 : “A True Chick Flick”
September 07, 2008
A True Chick Flick
A friend in Israel sent a note this morning which included a link to a newly released short video which features someone who we consider to be an outstanding role model for both kids and adults. Clara Hammer, often referred to as the "Chicken Lady" of Jerusalem celebrated her 97th birthday this past May and neither age nor an occasional "bad day" stops her from providing Shabbat food for families...and particularly children...each week.
Clara's story is a legend that has been shared with many people throughout this country, especially religious and day school students who contribute to her work. Many years ago, while visiting her butcher, Mr. Hacker, Clara witnessed him handing over a bag of chicken bones and skin to a young girl. Commenting to him that the girl must own many cats, the butcher replied that the bag's contents were actually for the family to use to prepare a Shabbat cholent. He went on to explain that the father and mother were not well and had not worked in a very long time. Though he had extended credit to them, he could no longer do so. Clara was appalled that anyone would have to eat such garbage and instructed Mr. Hacker to give the girl two chickens and a half kilo of chopped meat weekly so that they could have a proper Shabbat. No one was to know the identity of the donor.
Clara has been performing the mitzvah of feeding hungry people for almost 30 years. (she was a "young" 69 years of age when she actually started). Her story never fails to inspire those who hear it.
Check out the following link to see this short clip:
http://www.aish.com/heroesOfIsrael/heroesOfIsraelDefault/The_Chicken_Lady1.asp
...and if you are intrigued by this amazing woman, follow the following link to an order form for a copy of a DVD produced by the Ziv Tzedakah Fund which features a more detailed version of Clara's story (as well as the stories of several other incredible people changing the world bit by bit):
http://www.goodpeoplefund.org/Mitzvah_Movies
2008-09-05 : “Chicks and Piglets - A Happy Update”
September 05, 2008
Chicks and Piglets - A Happy Update
On May 8 we shared the story of Chicks and Piglets with you in this diary...in that piece we introduced our readers to Pam Koner and Family to Family, a small non-profit dedicated to relieving poverty and hunger in rural communities across the country. (http://www.family-to-family.org/)
As we related then... With so many people unemployed, hunger is a huge problem in Myra (KY)...despair, hunger and poverty go hand-in-hand here. Pam's idea is to return many of Myra's residents to the activity that so many of their parents and grandparents were involved in--farming. How great it would be if they could be given seeds, chickens, even piglets(!) and be taught how to farm...the land is rich and fertile, the basic tools needed are relatively inexpensive... add some education about farming and lessons on how to can or preserve your bounty so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor long after the fields have been cleared and voila!...you have a plan that can work.
We liked Pam's idea and forwarded funds to underwrite some of the costs of this program including the purchase of a male pig.
This morning Pam forwarded the following email she received from her contact in Myra...we think it says it all... Despite our "unkosher" purchase, we think we made a truly "kosher" investment on behalf of the residents of this tiny rural community where the majority of residents struggle daily just to survive.
Dear Pam,
Manna from Heaven has been truly blessed and we now have 8 new baby pigs! Momma and babies are doing well. If Family to Family had not helped us with the purchase of the new male pig these babies would not be here.
Thank you!
2008-09-03 : “Back to School With the Right Tools”
September 03, 2008
Back to School With the Right Tools
Throughout the country, the beginning of August brings a plethora of newspaper advertisements that feature school supplies - Back-to-School is big-business and in the current economy presents major problems for many, many families that are struggling to make ends meet. We were impressed with the "deals" being offered by retailers...crayons for a penny a box, 8 notebooks for a dollar, markers, rulers, pens, pencils...all offered at a fraction of their original cost. We were fortunate to know someone who saw the benefit of being a "smart shopper" and sent them off to see just how much they could buy with $500 in their pocket. By all accounts (including the "miles" of register tape that documented their shopping spree) you can do quite a bit of shopping with that amount of money.
The recipient of this bounty was a non-profit that had recently had its entire budget for these items cut by 100%...in other words, without our contribution they would have had little or nothing to use in the coming months. Knowing that, made their note (which arrived today) particularly meaningful...
... we thank you all and your fellow supporters for your generous donation of school supplies, shared with our pediatric patients and families. The donation of pencils, pens, scissors, highlighters, glue and glue sticks, scotch tape, crayons, folders, notebook paper and loose leaf paper, and pencil boxes was just AMAZING!
As you already know, many children and families who come to our hospital for care are in need of these items this time of year. We are often asked to help families by sharing such resources, and being able to do so is so very appreciated by those in need. It is because of people like you and your supporters that make this possible, and for that we are very grateful!
2008-09-02 : “A Sweet New Year”
September 02, 2008
A Sweet New Year
We noted in yesterday's diary that the month of Elul has arrived and with it the start of the New Year. For most of us, the upcoming holiday will bring family, friends and an excess of food to our tables. Despite the warm temperatures outside, even I have started to put together menus and numbers of guests and the inevitable shopping list which seems to grow daily and never ends.
What do you do when you can barely make ends meet? When putting food on your table for a "normal" meal is a continual struggle? How can you possibly add the sweet extras that are so much a part of the holiday menu? Because of the generosity of some donors, we are now in the process of arranging for extra food allowances for people in both the United States and in Israel. Our agents who work on the frontlines in Israel have identified several families for whom a little extra help in the form of supermarket scrip will mean the difference between celebrating the arrival of the New Year with a bountiful table or one that serves as a sad reminder of the families' precarious situation.
In the United States, our donors' generosity will allow us to offer scrip to many Holocaust survivors across the country, who are living their last years with minimal income. They too will be able to shop and prepare more than a modest meal for themselves and any family or friends who may join them in celebration.
We are enormously thankful to those who have stepped forward to allow us to offer this extra measure of joy to the holiday celebration. Yasher koach to all of them!
2008-09-01 : “Out of Sadness ... A New Year”
September 01, 2008
Out of Sadness ... A New Year
Awaiting me this bright, sunny morning on the first day of both the English and Hebrew calendar, was an email from my dear friend Phyllis Heimowitz in Israel. Phyllis, along with her daughter Tamar,(and now joined by Rena Cohen who has helped expand their work in unimaginable ways) are the founders of The Amuta (Non-Profit) for the Emotional Support of Girlfriends and Fiancees of Fallen Soldiers of the IDF. It was the Heimowitz's personal tragedy that led them to establish this innovative and critically important group which provides emotional (as well as occasional financial support) to women (and occasional men) who have lost their loved one in an IDF-related incident. The emotional support comes in the form of weekly group therapy, individual therapy as well as shared social engagements where the unique bonds that join each of these bereaved people are strengthened. Prior to the establishment of the group, the Israeli government did not identify anyone other than a family member as a legitimate survivor and critical services such as counseling or even recognition, were not available. Today, the Amuta provides the support services and receives some funding from the government to help them with their work. Perhaps, more important though, has been the radical change in attitude that has come about because of the group's efforts. The girlfriend or fiancee is recognized by Israeli society as a legitimate mourner and survivor. Their loss is no longer dismissed as insignificant or unimportant. Their pain is real and with the support groups offered by the Amuta they can eventually deal with their pain and hopefully find love and happiness once again.
Along with some personal exchanges, Phyllis shared the following which says so much about the importance of their work:
On Friday, we had a magnificent get together of the bereaved girlfriends. It was such a special time. Naomi, there in the quaint restaurant, we celebrated that THREE of the bereaved girlfriends are getting married this month!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a joy. What an accomplishment. What a miracle. I am positive that we all....had a part in this. We stood by them. We picked them up when they were totally and completely broken and helped to put them back together, piece by piece. We enabled them to mourn as they should. We encouraged them all along the way and most of all we loved them and will love them forever.
One of the girlfriends who is getting married this month is Suzie, an American girl who met her boyfriend Tziki in Thailand, when he was on vacation there and she was working for the Peace Corps in a small village in Thailand. Their love was deep and crushed when Tziki went to serve in the reserves in Israel. During his service near Hebron, a Palestinian driver tried to run him over. Tziki's soldiers shot the driver in an attempt to save Tziki, but one of our bullets hit Tziki and he was killed.
Suzie told me that "even in his death, he provided me with my future." Those were the words she used. She came to Israel, underwent an Orthodox Jewish conversion and is marrying a wonderful young man from England whom she met in the ulpan. Our Suzie... We will fly to that wedding...
Today is the first of Elul-the month in which we celebrate a new year and the promise and hope that it brings. What better message to get in an email on this particular day?
2008-08-19 : “People on the Front Lines”
August 19, 2008
People on the Front Lines
One of the most unique and meaningful aspects of the tzedakah work the Good People Fund is involved in is having the ability to step in when a family or individual encounters a crisis situation. We believe that if we can lend a hand before things spiral out of control, a more desperate outcome may be diverted. Having individuals "on the frontlines" - people we know and trust, and who know and understand what we want and believe, are critical to this very personal type of tzedakah. When they see a difficult situation that can be resolved expeditiously they know that they can be in touch and, if we have the resources, we will ask them to act on our behalf and arrange for the needs to be met. This can be an overdue utility bill, past due rent, a food emergency or medical bill...the list is endless.
This was the case one day last week when we heard from one of our "agents" who described a very sad situation involving a single parent with two children. While making ends meet was always difficult, she now owed her landlord for past months' rent (he was threatening to take her to court), and also had substantial bank debt. Working with our contact and the social worker assigned to the family, we were able to pay the past due rent immediately. Within only a few days the landlord received his check and was no longer threatening suit. The donor who made that possible also wished to help with the overdrawn bank account and recurring interest, and it was decided that the woman would receive this help after she agreed to take a simple no-cost mini-course in money management and also actively sought some further part-time work. Our contact and the social worker agreed that while the help was needed, it should come with some responsibility on the part of the recipient.
The ability to act, and act quickly in these types of situations is just what makes our work so meaningful. Though time-consuming, there is a definite "high" associated with keeping a family or an individual intact at difficult times.
2008-08-18 : “Remembering a Loved One In a Special Way”
August 18, 2008
Remembering a Loved One In a Special Way
One of our good friends just called--he is someone who thrives on creative mitzvahs and tikkun olam and trying to make a difference in whatever way possible. He and his brother are about to mark the yahrzeit (anniversary date) of their Dad's death and wanted to do it in a way that would help others quickly and directly, as well as recall how important the issue of hunger was to their late Dad. The yahrzeit is right around Rosh Hashonah and how special it would be if they could donate funds so that a family in Israel that might not celebrate the new year in quite as festive a way as they would like, could fill their table with good wholesome food and some special treats, as well. Could we find such a family that would benefit from their tzedakah?
Could we? You bet!
With one call, we identified not one but three families that are having a difficult time and who would benefit from this simple but important act of chesed. The Good People Fund will match the original donation and add further funds so that three families (which include several children) will truly taste the sweetness of honey that symbolizes a sweet New Year.
2008-08-15 : “Hunger in America”
August 15, 2008
Hunger in America
Pick up any newspaper or magazine today, listen to the radio...in fact, ask your local public assistance office or food bank and you will know that with the worsening economy comes hunger and food insecurity--a situation affecting many, many people including those who have never asked for help before. Rising food costs and the general serious downturn in the economy are taking their toll and contacts we have in the non-profit world are confirming the seriousness of the situation on an almost daily basis.
Today's call came from Ranya Kelly, the dedicated and indefatigable founder of the Redistribution Center in Colorado (http://www.redistributioncenter.org/). Ranya's work is almost legend. Over 20 years ago while searching through a dumpster for a carton to mail some gifts, Ranya discovered over 500 pairs of brand new shoes discarded by a nearby store. It was that discovery that led to the formation of the Redistribution Center, Ranya's organization which has rescued, since its founding, over 700,000 pairs of new shoes and millions of dollars worth of brand new, perfectly usable clothing, bedding, building supplies and more from local and national retail outlets. What was destined for a landfill is now filling the needs of impoverished people not only in the Denver area but also other parts of the United States. Ranya has sent two 53' trailers to the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, ravaged by Hurricane Katrina three years ago and her efforts have also benefited our nation's soldiers who have returned from fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition to the incredible importance of recycling all of these hard goods, Ranya began a small food pantry at her facility (located on part of her property) and has been able to fill it with donated food items from both manufacturers and local food stores. There has never been a shortage of needy recipients for the food, but in the past several phone calls Ranya shared that the numbers are increasing and she feared that at some point she would have to turn people away. The need for food was outpacing the available supply. We are certain that this scene is being played out in cities and towns across the country...Denver and its suburbs are not the exception.
Today's call was just what I had feared--the shelves of her food pantry and walk-in cooler were bare. For the past few days Ranya has been turning away elderly people living on meager incomes, just "ordinary" people and veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan who have sometimes returned home to no job, a family that has deserted them, and many, many physical and emotional scars.(and veterans' organizations do not always step in--people do fall through the cracks.)
How could we help? If she had the funds would she be able to purchase the food from local sources at greatly reduced prices? The answer was a resounding, yes!
Postscript: We sent Ranya a check on the day she called us and on Tuesday, August 19, 2008, she called to report that she was on the way to purchase as much as she possibly could to fill the shelves and feed hungry people. It was that quick and that simple.
2008-08-14 : “The War in Georgia”
August 14, 2008
The War in Georgia
We have been following the daily updates on the crisis in Georgia and know from both U.S. and Israeli media that this is a major humanitarian crisis and definitely something reminiscent of the 1960's. As we have done in the past when we do not have any personal contacts on the ground, we are relying on the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to allocate our funds to those needs which they identify on an hourly basis. We know that "the Joint" uses its resources effectively and efficiently and are comfortable sending what we can to them when we have no direct representation present. Our donation has been mailed today.
We share the following excerpt from the JDC web site. It is almost as if we are on the scene ourselves.
JDC SOS Van Delivers Humanitarian Aid Packages
The JDC van's next stop was the almost ruined house of the Frankel family: mother Irina burst into tears when she saw the bus arriving at her door. Having no transportation, Irina and her husband could not leave their house; their 15-year-old developmentally disabled son was in shock and unable to go on foot.
While the father was putting their belongings in the van, a neighbor named Natela was helping her friend Irina prepare to leave. In the conversation with JDC staff, Natela revealed that she and her husband were Jewish. When it was suggested they evacuate, she thanked them but refused: "My husband is a doctor in the local hospital. We just can't leave when so many people need medical assistance and so few doctors are available. We have decided to stay. . . ." The JDC team left the family with packages of humanitarian aid, enough so that her husband could distribute the packages in the hospital to the neediest patients. "We are facing here every minute dozens of people who desperately need food-today even bread is great deficit! These packages are sure to save the lives of many!" said Natela.
Today's report is one more example of JDC's ongoing commitment to ensure safety and security of Jews wherever and whenever they are in need.
http://www.jdc.org/news_press_2008_georgia.html
2008-08-12 : “Loose Change”
August 12, 2008
Loose Change
Today's mail brought a very nice tzedakah check which included a note describing the origin of the donation. We think it bears repeating here so that upcoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids who are looking for a meaningful way to celebrate their simcha might duplicate or create their own version of the idea.
Erin Sharfman celebrated her Bat Mitzvah this past Hanukkah and decided that gelt is one of the many things that we think of when recalling this holiday. Who doesn't remember the gold-covered coins that were eagerly awaited along with a gift or two? (Sometimes just getting the wrapper off of the small coins took all the patience we had as young children.) So--why not collect gelt from her guests?...the loose change kind of gelt that always adds up to something very significant.
When Erin's guests received her invitation six weeks before the actual simcha, they were asked to collect all of their loose change over the next several weeks and bring it to her party which was held on the Sunday of Hanukkah. Well, collect their loose change they did! On the day of her party Erin was overwhelmed with tons of loose change (and some bills too!) After counting and wrapping it all, (and adding some of her own funds to the total) Erin was able to send us a check which she asked to be split between the good work being done by A Package From Home (http://www.apackagefromhome.org/) and the very famous Clara Hammer who provides Shabbat food for poor families in Israel. Erin learned about Clara while attending Camp Ramah, and her family had heard about Barbara Silverman's efforts when they received an email that described the packages that Barbara sends to soldiers (many of them chayalim bodedim or lone soldiers who have no family in Israel) serving in the IDF. Along with the donation to A Package From Home, Erin also included several letters to soldiers which were written by her guests at the party. Erin recalled that the letters of support were one of the soldiers' favorite items to receive in the packages.
Yasher koach to Erin and her family! What a great mitzvah project. There will be many smiling faces in Israel because of your creative ideas.
2008-08-05 : “Jews Around the World”
August 05, 2008
Jews Around the World
"Kulanu", a Hebrew term which refers to "all of us" is also the name of a small, grass-roots organization dedicated to discovering and assisting little-known Jewish communities found in remote corners of the world. (http://www.kulanu.org/)
We have followed Kulanu's work for many years and can particularly recall their first contacts in the mid-90's with the now-famous Abuyudaya community in Uganda, as well as urging people to ship Jewish books of interest there and to other isolated regions around the world.
Harriet Bograd has been a part of the dedicated Kulanu leadership for many years and in an email last week, she shared that she had recently become President of the group, taking over for Jack Zeller, one of Kulanu's founders and a major force in the organization's success over the years. After our initial contact by email, Harriet and I spent some time on the phone reviewing all of the many places where Kulanu has made an impact in fostering Judaism. Of course, the Abuyudaya community was a focal point and it was particularly gratifying to learn that Gershom Sizomu, a long-time leader among the Abuyudyan community, had just returned to Uganda after completing five years in formal Rabbinic training in the States. At last, the Abuyudaya would have a religious leader recognized by world Jewry, and Uganda would have a Chief Rabbi! Harriet went on to mention that with Kulanu's help, Alex Armah, a leader in the Ghanaian Jewish community was now spending several months studying with the newly-ordained Rabbi Gershom so that he can return to Ghana with more Jewish knowledge to share with his community. Everything that Harriet was sharing was so exciting. Who knew that there was such a burgeoning Jewish community in Africa and what was being done to help foster their Judaism?
What follows are excerpts from a letter that Harriet shared with us. The writer is Alex Armah, the Ghanaian Jewish leader mentioned above. Alex was in Uganda at the time of Rabbi Gershom's ordination. After reading the letter I asked Harriet what we could do to help this type of exciting work and with little hesitation and discussion it was agreed that the Good People Fund would offer Kulanu a matching grant of $500 to cover the remaining costs of Alex Armah's time in Uganda.
Shalom,
This is my first report to you. It is a wonderful in my life to experience such an occasion in the Abayudaya community in Uganda. On Monday visitors started coming from U.S.A. The Rabbis and many people also came to witness the occasion.
Some also from African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and people from nearby communities in Uganda. The guest house was full of Rabbis...
I was surprised to see officials from the Government of Uganda, officials from Islamic religion and Christians. On Thursday a long bus of students from many Jewish communities from the U.S.A, Canada, and Israel came to welcome our Africa Jewish Rabbi.
Many students also came to perform at the ceremony. African drummers and the Abayudaya High School choir also came with their welcome songs for the Rabbis from all over the country. Everyone on the field was very happy.
On the Friday Sabbath eve the synagogue was full of people from Mbale, Apach and many places. People were standing outside of the synagogue.
What I have known from the Rabbi is that he is a lovely man, with the Spirit of God, who fears God and is a hard worker towards the service of God. I am so happy to see many African Jews whom I did not dream to meet them at all.
Due to Rabbi Gershom I hope all the Jews in Africa will come together as one community. So we all share ideas. He is dedicated to the work that he has been ordained to do.
The Rabbis who came, they did not come only for the installation but they came to share Torah, Mishna, and religious ideas with the whole community that they met on this occasion.
There are many things that I was surprised about here in Uganda. How the community members are happy to welcome visitors and also dedicated to the community.
The community has done something that is marvelous in the eyes of many people here in Uganda. They have a school comprised with Jews, Islamic, Christians and other students within the district as a whole.
My trip here has enabled me to come and experience in the service of the community here and Ghana...
And I hope this is not the only Rabbi that we will have in Africa. Due to the hard work he is doing here in Uganda he will produce more African Rabbis to help him with his good work done.
Thank you!
Yours faithfully,
Alex
Alex Armah
Community Liason
Indeed, it is olam katan-a truly small world in which we live!
2008-08-04 : “A Little Bit of Help Can Make All of the Difference”
August 04, 2008
A Little Bit of Help Can Make All of the Difference
From time to time we learn of a situation where a little bit of help can make a truly profound difference in someone's life or in the life of an entire family. Such was the case when we heard from Avshalom Beni, founder of HAMA, and one of Israel's best when it comes to animal-assisted therapy. In the course of his work Avshalom often encounters such situations, and so he was writing recently to tell us about the G. family. The husband and wife in this Ethiopian family arrived in Israel several years ago as teens and since that time married and started a family which now includes four children, the oldest of whom is 13. Both parents work for minimum wages as caretakers in Israeli hospitals. For this work they receive no benefits of any kind and no job security whatsoever. They are dedicated, highly intelligent workers, so proud that they would never apply for any public assistance no matter what the family situation.
Their 13 year old daughter recently celebrated her Bat Mitzvah and has one dream that has yet to come true-a computer! How much of a difference a computer could make for this special family.
Avshalom asked if there was any way we could possibly provide the laptop computer, a printer and ten lessons for the family? The cost? About $1600. With some help from recent religious schools' donations, this young girl and her family will receive their computer and lessons and who can imagine what other worlds will open up for them with this gift?
2008-08-03 : “A Well Deserved Mazal Tov”
August 03, 2008
A Well Deserved Mazal Tov
On July 21 we described a fabulous Bar Mitzvah project that benefited the work of The Forgotten People Fund-an all-volunteer group that helps many Ethiopians who have settled in the city of Netanya. We have always been proud of the work that we do with the group-they are all-volunteer and almost 100% of the funds they raise are directed to helping families and individuals with the most basic of needs-school costs, food, training, clothing, health-they are a lifesaver for so many in that city.
So--it was no surprise when I opened this morning's email from Aida Miller who, along with her husband Rabbi Yosef Miller, and friends, Anne and David Silverman, were the founders of The Forgotten People Fund, and read the following:
On Thursday evening (July 31st) our Forgotten People Fund was honored by the Mayor of Netanya, Miriam Fierberg, with an award for outstanding volunteer service for the year 2008. It was significant because Netanya is celebrating its 80th anniversary, Israel is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and FPF is celebrating its 10th anniversary. There were over five hundred people in attendance and afterwards we were surrounded by the social workers we work with, representatives of the Senior Citizens Dept., Ethiopians from the Or Ganim Gardening Cooperative that we helped establish and family and friends. I was overwhelmed by the expressions of gratitude and I wept a little because my husband. Yosef, couldn't be with us to hear all the accolades. He was the one who started the idea of helping the Ethiopian community and it is sad that he couldn't be there to see how much our work is appreciated.
Mazal Tov to all of the FPF volunteers who work so selflessly on behalf of Netanya's Ethiopian community. We can't wait for the 20th anniversary celebration!
2008-08-01 : “Terror - Then and Now”
August 01, 2008
Terror - Then and Now
Nothing can erase the very vivid memories we have of Israel and the five or six year period that began in the year 2000. With what seemed to be an almost daily occurrence, turning on the morning news brought word of another attack that killed and maimed so many. While the frequency of such attacks has certainly diminished, how many of us NOW...TODAY stop to think about those who either personally survived an attack or lost a loved one in such an attack? How are they managing, years later? Does the trauma ever go away? Can they resume a "normal" life?
In an exchange I had this past week with Karyn London, a social worker who works with terror survivors through Atzum, (http://www.atzum.org) a fine Israel-based organization that has been on the front-lines helping people for many years, I learned that indeed, life doesn't really return to "normal" for so many. Karyn shared so much critical information. Here are just short insights that she related from a recent seminar held for professionals in the mental health field:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: so many people have never recovered from this and more and more is being learned about its effects...the inability to sustain relationships (even with family members), how parents have difficulty interacting with their children and intimacy is affected; how it is very difficult for a child to feel loved (what they need most) when the parent is just not there for them. We see lots of children whose parents were injured who are doing poorly in school, ... about how their coping mechanisms are deflated, the constant fear many live with as they "relive the attack" with many daily activities via their senses such as noises and smells. Imagine that any loud noise from a building site being developed might make a woman working as a secretary in a nearby office jump and shake and then render her unable to concentrate or even go to work the next day. Imagine the man who can't go in a kitchen, restaurant... as anything that is even mildly burnt attacks his sense of smell taking him back to the Pigua (attack) and the smell of burning.
In terms of help for these people, Karyn shared that though National Insurance does a lot "there are many people who do not get services and of those who do there are many things that are not provided."
A Case in Point From A Prior Terror Attack
R.S. was injured several years ago when she was riding in a bus that was blown up. She sustained severe injuries to her eyes which cannot be reversed. At the time, she worked successfully in a full-time position and is fortunate that her employer has allowed her to keep her job despite the fact that she often misses work due to loss of sleep and general distress.
Her husband is employed full-time and goes to school as well. Their relationship has suffered as a result of the attack and with the diminished income they will not be able to help their son continue his education at a nearby college. Their daughter has also felt the effects of the attack as the mother has difficulty being close to her. The daughter has now dropped out of high school and is involved with drugs.
Terror Now
Karyn's email also included information relating to the current situation. What is happening to people who live in Sderot today? How are they coping with the almost daily barrage of rocket attacks? As Karyn shared:
Sderot is an entirely different problem. These families and children do not only have Post Trauma but are living in continuous trauma. They have had their homes and schools hit by rockets, some have physical injuries and others have the symptoms of Post Trauma like fear of loud noises, sleeplessness, general agitation or the inability to function normally or carry on healthy relationships with family members. Despite the many efforts to help them, they are exposed again and again day and night. In many cases the therapeutic interventions are not enough or just can't beat the continuous stress. One woman I spoke to told me she never took an aspirin and now lives on tranquilizers.
I was told another story by a social worker about a young mother who always kept her home immaculate. Now she is afraid to wash her floor because she fears that while washing the floor there will be an attack and because the floor is wet one of the children will slip and get hurt. Now she gets up at 4:30 in the morning to do the floor because she knows that this is a quiet time when there are generally no rockets. The social worker in this case is concerned about how tired this woman is and the lack of energy she has for her kids every day.
Most families sleep and spend most of their day in the same room the "safe room" -this as you can imagine, puts additional strain on familial relations and the added lack of privacy for the parents.
The bottom line is that most of the families in Sderot have been affected- many already have a 20% disability and many more are waiting to be approved. This doesn't however relieve us from helping those that have yet to be taken in by the system. (these people have at the minimum a temporary percentage of disability assigned to them).
A Case in Point From Sderot
L. is married and has 3 children and was a successful teacher before the attacks took their toll on her. She has had PTSD for the past 4 years which started when a rocket landed close to where she was standing near her home. (this was before there was a warning system in place as there is today)
Her husband works full time as did L. before the attack. Today she works very part time depending on her emotional state from day to day.
She is considered one of the best teachers in the area and is well liked by her neighbors, her students and their parents. She is under the care of a psychiatrist and is in therapy with a social worker. Though she is determined to overcome the trauma, her family which was once economically successful is now forced to live on half of what they were earning before. L. cannot work every day and her husband often takes time off from his job to be with her. Many things that they were able to do for their children before, they can no longer provide, which has led to a lot of distress within the family. Even privacy is now a problem as the entire family must sleep in the "safe room" each night in the event that there is a rocket attack.
The bottom line is that this family which was entirely self supporting and actually high contributing members of their community are now dependent upon the system. A very sad situation...
What can we do? How do we help those people whose lives will never be the same? The Good People Fund is sending further funds to help both people in Sderot and those who were affected by past terror attacks. We invite anyone who wants to help in this effort to send their donation along with a note that it is to be used to help terror victims in Israel.
2008-07-28 : “Christmas (or Hanukkah) in July Part 2”
July 28, 2008
Christmas (or Hanukkah) in July Part 2
On July 17 we told you about Jeannie Jaybush and Baby Corner in Seattle and further reported that aside from sending Jeannie the new toys that we were fortunate to come by, we also send nursing bras for many of the new mothers who are being helped by Baby Corner.
As we noted, the bras are a tremendous help and have truly changed the lives of so many new mothers and their babies. Last week we sent a new shipment to Jeannie and just received the following email:
Hi Naomi!
The nursing bras have arrived! Are they beautiful or what?? I've got a new volunteer helping today & I heard her start laughing when she got to the va-va-va-vooms! It's a great size!
Thanks much for all the help!
As always,
Jeannie
Who says that this job does not provide a lot of light moments?
2008-07-25 : “Food Rescue a la Rock and Wrap it Up!”
July 25, 2008
Food Rescue a la Rock and Wrap it Up!
Syd Mandelbaum, the dynamic founder of Rock and Wrap It Up! (http://www.rockandwrapitup.org), sent along his latest e-newsletter today and we can't help but be impressed by the ongoing work that Syd and his small staff carry out in their quest to help relieve hunger in this world. This is just the latest of Syd's accomplishments.
As Syd says at the end of his message... Today, The Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 to feed the hungry, tomorrow the rest of the world!
We have no doubt that Syd and Rock and Wrap it Up! will be there to do it!
The Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 was signed into law last month by President Bush.
Rock and Wrap It Up! researched, created and was able to get the Bill through the House unanimously passed in 31 days. It was introduced in the Senate in February and was unanimously passed May 22, 2008.
Rock and Wrap it Up! will work with the GSA to help roll out the program. We are meeting with the GSA and representatives from Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Emerson's offices, its sponsors in the Senate and house.
With the dire need because of empty pantries across America, the faster the Law can be implemented, the faster pantries and agencies will have more food to give.
Summary of Act:
This Act may be cited as the 'Federal Food Donation Act of 2008'. (We call it the Rock and Wrap It Up! Act)
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to encourage executive agencies and contractors of executive agencies, to the maximum extent practicable and safe, to donate excess, apparently wholesome food to feed food-insecure people in the United States.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) APPARENTLY WHOLESOME FOOD- The term 'apparently wholesome food' has the meaning given the term in section 2(b) of the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C. 1791(b)).
(2) EXCESS - The term 'excess', when applied to food, means food that --
(A) is not required to meet the needs of executive agencies; and
(B) would otherwise be discarded.
(3) FOOD-INSECURE - The term 'food-insecure' means inconsistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
(4) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION- The term 'nonprofit organization' means any organization that is --
(A) described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(B) exempt from tax under section 501(a)
Today, The Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 to feed the hungry, tomorrow the rest of the world!
2008-07-21 : “Hoop Dreams”
July 21, 2008
Hoop Dreams
Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids never cease to amaze us with the originality of their mitzvah project creations. Some time ago we spoke with a family in Kansas...the Bar Mitzvah boy was a huge basketball fan and wanted to use that interest in some way to help kids in Israel. He also had some friends who wanted to join in the effort so we suggested a possible connection to The Forgotten People Fund-an all-volunteer group that works in Netanya where there is a large Ethiopian population, most living in very poor surroundings. The FPF volunteers, led by our friends Aida Miller and Anne and David Silverman, establish personal relationships with many individuals and families and help provide them with so many needs-food, education costs, health education, clothing...the list is endless and they truly make a difference. When we put the boys in touch with Aida it did not take long before they came up with a plan. With the funds the boys would raise, a court that had fallen into disrepair at a nearby school in Netanya could be rehabilitated with working lights, resurfacing and possible seating. In addition, the boys purchased 30 basketball jerseys with the team name printed on them and these were hand-delivered to Aida this summer when a local Rabbi traveled to Israel. As one of the boy's mothers recently wrote ...this was a winner of a project all the way around:
Valerie's boys raised money by hosting mini basketball camps at their home. Mothers in the neighborhood paid the twins to watch their children for a few hours and play basketball with them. Jake and Ethan raised money by "flipping" for FPF. They made a poster highlighting the efforts of FPF and the Ethiopians it serves. They gave a brief introduction about their project, and then collected money from participants at various Jewish events in the community. They played a short game (using a coin flip) and gave the winner a small prize. (The game is actually very clever, so I'll be happy to provide more details if you need them.)
The bottom line is that the boys raised over $500 on their own. They each decided to donate a percentage of their monetary gifts as well. We hope to send you a check for over $1,000, and the boys are so proud of themselves. We've sent photos to Aida of the boys, and she's sent us photos of the Ethiopian youth. It's been a wonderful sharing kind of experience. Ethan has expressed to me that he hopes to go to Israel someday soon to see the fruits of his labors and play basketball with the Sapir team!
Yasher koach boys!
2008-07-17 : “Christmas (or Hanukkah) in July and More ...”
July 17, 2008
Christmas (or Hanukkah) in July and More ...
A few weeks ago a friend came upon a fabulous collection of brand new kids' toys...everything still boxed and sure to make a child happy. She called me asking if we knew of a good home for these special treats.
Of course, this was not a difficult task to complete. I sent an email to my friend Jeannie Jaybush at Baby Corner and she was more than happy to help find good homes for five cartons of stuffed animals, toys, dolls, puzzles and so much more. Baby Corner in Seattle serves as a resource for local social services who deal with families (with few economic resources) that have a new baby and cannot afford many of the items needed to help with caring for a new infant.
Today, Jeannie wrote to let us know that the boxes arrived and, as usual, they were a real hit!
Also, yesterday about Noon the boxes arrived! ... One of the RN's was here picking up something else & got that "oh goody" look in her eyes when I started to open them. She took 3 of the toys for the siblings of some of the babies that are with Mom in treatment. ... She's usually here 2-3 times each week for "stuff" for the babies, hopeful that there's "stuff" for the older siblings, or something for Mom to try to get her in to treatment... It's a real difficult caseload & the outcomes are often less than ideal. Lots of jail time, taking the baby away from Mom, mental health problems (she's even had to talk women off the high bridges where they were going to jump to commit suicide), and of course, baby deaths. So, the toys are going out the door less than 10 minutes after delivery! The rest will follow shortly I'm sure
Thanks again for the toys. Nobody has had new toys since Christmas & the kids are thrilled with anything. The dollies will be especially loved. I'm off to count teddy bears etc!
One of the other ways we enjoy helping Jeannie and the new mothers is by providing them with nursing bras. Who would have thought? Jeannie tells us that a proper nursing bra is almost unheard of...the cost is prohibitive for poor women, but the difference they make is unbelievable on so many different levels. I asked Jeannie if she still had a supply and, as is usually the case, the answer was, "No!" They are a very popular item with the nurses Jeannie works with. It was time to send a new supply and when I told Jeannie I would get a new order out to her she responded as she always does, with great joy and appreciation:
You & the nursing bras are very popular & we're still getting women crying over the new undies. The nurses keep telling me to remember to thank you for them whenever they come in to pick up....thank you, thank you, & thank you again!!!
As always,
Jeannie
2008-07-15 : “1-2-3 Done! Revisited”
July 15, 2008
1-2-3 Done! Revisited
On July 10 this diary shared the story of our involvement in shipping a trailer of food and grocery items to Postville, Iowa where many former immigrant workers from the Agriprocessors plant remain while awaiting trial or deportation. A press release about the joint effort to get this food to Iowa was prepared and to our great surprise picked up by the JTA (Jewish Telegraph Agency). We have already received several calls from people who saw the article and want to help. We are in the process of investigating further ways that we might be able to offer support to the workers and those who have taken on the responsibility of helping them. We will share our plans as they materialize. What follows is a link to the JTA article:
http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/109458.html
2008-07-10 : “1-2-3 Done!”
July 10, 2008
1-2-3 Done!
Much has been written and debated since mid-May when it comes to the tragic situation in Postville, Iowa where a federal raid led to the arrest of several hundred illegal workers in the Agriprocessors meat-packing plant. We have followed many news releases and spoken directly to some of those who are directly involved in the aftermath of the raid.
Despite the obvious disagreements about who is responsible and why this has happened, one fact cannot be denied-this is a human tragedy and many men, women and particularly innocent children have suffered (in ways that are extraordinarily harsh).
The Good People Fund was committed to helping these people...the question that loomed was how we could help in a way that was direct and would have the greatest impact. It was only through the help of our board member, Peter Freimark, (see diary entry of May 26 to learn of Peter's other efforts on behalf of people who are in need) who made contact with the people at St. Bridget's Church that we discovered a possible need that we could meet. St. Bridget's, the local Catholic church in this tiny town became a refuge for the families whose husbands or wives (or even children) were arrested and taken away during the raid. With no income while waiting for trials and eventual possible deportation, many people have been left in what can only be described as dire straits. St. Bridget's and other local churches and agencies have been pressed into service well beyond what they could normally handle. A truckload of food and grocery items for their pantry would be a welcome source of support.
Our friend Joe Lordi who has been running the Youngstown, Ohio-based Gleaner's Food Bank for many years graciously donated food that filled a 53' trailer. Peter's synagogue, Temple Israel-Ner Tamid in Mayfield Heights, OH shared the shipping costs and yesterday morning, Peter and Joe loaded 24 pallets of food and grocery items onto the truck which immediately left for Postville. By 2pm today, we received word that the truck had arrived and was being unloaded!
1-2-3 done! Hungry people will be fed.
The Postville situation has many complexities and addresses serious issues within our society. We offer the following links to a few of the more thoughtful and informative articles we have seen. Please take a few minutes to read them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/us/11immig.html
The Young Victims of Iowa ICE Raids:
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=b3562e0069bc618cd178f8fb06c8473c
2008-07-09 : “More Dreams”
July 09, 2008
More Dreams
More Dreams Back on April 28 I introduced you to a fabulous organization, Second Wind Dreams, (http://www.secondwind.org) which helps to make dreams come true for residents in closed-care institutions. At that time I shared that the Good People Fund was going to contribute funds to help make a wedding for a couple that had been married 60 years ago in City Hall on the eve of the groom's deployment to the warfront. While that wedding took place a few weeks ago and we are awaiting photos to share with you, we did receive notice of this new dream and thought it was just too good to keep to ourselves. Read on to learn how 88 year-old Morris Rowe got to share "war stories" with veteran actor, Ernest Borgnine....it's a winner!
Actor grants fellow WW II veteran's wish to meet him
The Patriot-News - PennLive.com - Harrisburg, PA, USA
Someone from Grayson View Assisted Living facility in Swatara Twp., where Rowe lives, contacted Second Wind Dreams, a nonprofit organization based in ...
2008-07-07 : “The Maytag Repairman”
July 07, 2008
The Maytag Repairman
Monday mornings...they always bring surprises and this Monday, after a long holiday weekend, was no different.
Shortly before 8am on the West Coast, irwin Herman, our friend who is known by the name The Bookman, was on the lline. Talking to Irwin is always a treat. Once an appliance repairman in cold and windy Chicago, Irwin and his wife retired to sunny San Diego...figuring anything was better than Chicago's frigid winters! It didn't take long before Irwin realized that retirement was not for him. It took a visit with a friend to a nearby prison for Irwin to discover something that really "got him". The friend delivered books to prison inmates who truly appreciated these "gifts". Books....something we all have in abundance and something for which we all are usually trying to find good homes. One thing led to another and soon Irwin is making stops at garage sales and book stores and anywhere else he can find books at greatly reduced prices. As one could imagine, it did not take long before Irwin ran out of space to store all of these tomes and he had to find even more storage space.
Where did the books go? It was not difficult to find good homes...schools, prisons, libraries and more. As The Bookman's website (http://WWW.THEBOOKMAN.ORG) says..."donates new and used books to children and adults around the world who do not have easy access to reading material." (visit the site-it tells you the whole story about Irwin and his crew of volunteers who spend their days collecting books and getting them to people who will enjoy reading them.
Back to Irwin's call--he was calling to thank us for the check that the Good People Fund just sent to help them do their work. It is money we know will be well-spent. Irwin also shared how excited he was about a young San Diego Bar Mitzvah child who came to him and asked if he could have books to help set up a library in Israel. This was the boy's mitzvah project. When Irwin saw the child's excitement and interest in making this library a reality he "let the boy loose in his warehouse to pick out whatever books he needed." The project was so successful that when the Bar Mitzvah guests heard what had been done, they sent checks to The Bookman so that the good work could continue!
And, here is Irwin! Enjoy!
2008-07-02 : “A Home Away From Home”
July 02, 2008
A Home Away From Home
A little background...
Exactly 20 years ago, Mike Aichenbaum was a husband and father of two youngsters, living the American dream. And yet, within a few days his life was turned upside down with the diagnosis of advanced leukemia. Traveling to New York City for treatment at the renowned Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Mike spent six months in-hospital with his wife and children and Mother housed in a nearby apartment. Total cost? More than $20,000. How do "normal" families handle these kinds of situations-life-threatening illness and the additional burden of housing expenses which can be devastating? For Mike, there was a good outcome-full remission. But he never forgot the experience and how much it cost to keep his family at his side to help him recover.
Fast forward ten years to 1988 when Mike learned about a Boston-based organization that provides free or low-cost housing to families and individuals accompanying a relative to treatment at a local medical center. This was what Mike wanted to do-provide that same type of housing support for people traveling to his home city of Philadelphia and any of the area's major medical centers for treatment. Hosts for Hospitals (http://www.hostsforhospitals.org) was started in 1990 when Mike teamed with a woman who had similar experiences while battling a serious disease. With the formation of HfH people traveling to Philadelphia would now have the option of finding free or low-cost housing within the homes of volunteer hosts. HfH has provided thousands of nights of free lodging to people from all over this country and around the world. Everyone who participates in this truly special mitzvah-from the hosts to the families burdened with the worry of a sick relative-cannot say enough about how important this service is.
When we spoke with Mike this morning we were excited to learn about the tremendous growth the organization is experiencing and how he is adding more staff so that they can provide the proper attention to the people coming to Philadelphia with family members for treatment. Mike also mentioned that one of the reasons they have an increase in clients is the expanded specialized services that are now being offered by some of these hospitals. As medical advances proceed, some of the local centers become the sole providers of a specialized therapeutic procedure requiring people to travel from great distances to receive these treatments. The Good People Fund will be sending some funds to help cover the new expenses...Hosts for Hospitals is such a perfect example of a small, well-managed, grass-roots organization which provides critically important services to people already burdened by tremendous health issues.
2008-07-01 : “Send in the Clowns, Part 2”
July 01, 2008
Send in the Clowns, Part 2
Back on June 16 we shared with you the story of Lev Leytzan - The Compassionate Clown Alley, a New York-based medical clown training program that attracts teens and young adults and teaches them the very special art of medical clowning. Dr. Neal Goldberg, the group's founder just sent the nicest email in response to the donation we sent to help cover the cost of some of the white doctor's coats each clown receives once they complete their training...
We will apply the funds toward two lab coats - one for Dr. Ooshie and another for Dr. Marlin - the amount of the coats with shipping is estimated (as per my last phone call) at $195 each. The coats will have our Lev Leytzan logo on the front, along with the guy's name) AND our ClownsMD logo on the back. They should be awesome!! Really excited ...
With your permission we can order some clown noses with the change!
We asked Neal to send us pictures of Dr. Ooshie and Dr. Marlin with their new coats, as soon as they arrive. We will post the pictures right here once they are sent. Stay tuned...
2008-06-24 : “Going to Israel Part II”
June 24, 2008
Going to Israel Part II
A few weeks ago (June 3) we wrote about the Steirn family in Florida that had collected school supplies for The Forgotten People Fund in Israel. The Steirns were leaving for Florida that week and we had arranged for someone to pickup the supplies from a Jerusalem hotel and get them to Netanya where they will be distributed to many poor Ethiopian families. We were happy to learn that the pickup went off beautifully and when the supplies arrived in Netanya, it took quite some time to sort them all, there were so many!
This Wednesday, a traveler from a New York City-based minyan will leave for several weeks of study in Israel and he will be carrying even more school supplies that will be picked up and distributed to several needy families in the center of the country. The minyan was very interested in trying to do something meaningful for people in Israel and taking into account the fact that many members travel to Israel regularly, the idea of collecting and delivering school supplies, a considerable expense for families living on the economic edge, was born. For the families that will receive this batch of pens, pencils, markers and other important learning tools, it will make a great difference next September!
2008-06-17 : “On the Wonder of Cats and Dogs ...”
June 17, 2008
On the Wonder of Cats and Dogs ...
Occasionally, it takes a little time to get used to the fact that technology today is so advanced that with the click of a few keys on the computer you can actually watch a movie emailed from half way around the world! In one of this morning's emails was a note from Jordan Feder who works with Avshalom Beni, the dynamic founder and force behind HAMA Israel. HAMA is the acronym for humans and animals in mutual assistance, a great definition of the work carried out by Avshalom and his human and animal staff. Animal assisted therapy is complementary therapy used in many different medical and psychological settings. We all know about more traditional forms of AAT; what makes HAMA so special is that the animals Avshalom uses, his co-therapists, so to speak, are often victims of abuse and their becoming part of a therapeutic team to help others is particularly significant.
I have met many of Avshalom's "staff" - there is Frankie, affectionately known as Frankie-the-crocodile-dog, due to the disfiguring trauma his jaw suffered at the hands of an abuser. Frankie does looks remarkably like a crocodile, albeit one who is gentle and kind! Avshalom's first therapy animal was Doobie...a gentle Canaan breed who Avshalom rescued after the dog had been abused by a gang. Despite losing one of his front legs to the abuse and enduring severe trauma to other parts of his body, Doobie went on to live a noble and meaningful life as one of Avshalom's staff. (sadly, Doobie succumbed to heart disease a few years ago but not before helping so many others regain their strength and self-respect.) Cat-lovers do not despair! Avshalom also uses beautiful ragdoll cats in his work.
Getting back to Jordan's email and its contents --- Jordan and his brother, a film professional, produced a short video outlining the great work being done by HAMA, and the link to that film was included in the email. Take a look - it really does give you a good sense of the fine work carried out by HAMA. (and, yes...that big black dog in the intro? That's LaBelle, the Newfie - she really is that big and she can single-handedly bathe you if she takes a liking to you!)
Here's the link and make sure to download it in high resolution:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kls3-EmTXro.
If you want to learn more about HAMA, take a look at their about-to-be completed web site, http://www.hama-israel.org.il.
2008-06-16 : “Send in the Clowns”
June 16, 2008
Send in the Clowns
I met a clown today! His name, believe it or not, is Schnookums, and I suspect that as Schnookums he has changed many lives. Known as Dr. Neal Goldberg in his "regular" life, this clown-with-a-heart is the inspiration behind Lev Leytzan - Compassionate Clown Alley, a New York-based medical clown training program that attracts teens and young adults and teaches them the very special art of medical clowning. Neal is a warm and compassionate person which, no doubt, accounts for his success as a therapist with a large teenage component to his practice.
Schmoozing over some lunch today we heard Neal's story about how he became interested in clowning and how that led him to the decision to try to encourage teens to take part in this special art. As a therapist Neal was the co-author of a book designed to help teens deal with the death of a close friend or family member. It was from those experiences writing the book that he came to think about how the act of giving of oneself can do amazing things to the "donor" - sometimes even more beneficial than what is "received" on the other end. This is not a new theme for us-it is something we hear from so many of the good people we work with. In the case of the teens who are part of the troupe, Neal knows that for many, clowning has awakened new insights and has helped them overcome difficult personal situations.
Being a member of Lev Leytzan (heart of the clown, in English) requires a tremendous commitment on the part of the teens that have come on board. Everyone is trained by both professional clowns from some of the most recognized names in clown performance, and medical doctors and mental health professionals who explore the medical and psychological aspects of medical clowning. Neal shared many moving stories with us of just how much of an impact this activity can have on the kids who have joined.
In addition to the usual hospital and nursing home visits the kids make, there are two other special aspects of this program that we were excited about. Through the generosity of a donor, members of the troupe have traveled to Israel for the past three years and performed throughout the country as medical clowns almost non-stop for a nine or ten day visit. While there they also give away thousands of dollars worth of toys to the children they meet.
The second aspect of the program deals with fire safety and has reached literally thousands of school-age children throughout the greater New York area. The "Clowns for Safety Squad" has taught fire safety and burn prevention using clowning and circus technique to more than 30,000 kids. We wonder how many tragedies have been averted by this creative but critically important activity.
What's on tap for the future of Compassionate Clown Alley? Neal has many dreams but it looks as if one of them is about to become a reality. Why should this fabulous program be available only to kids in New York? Neal's hope is that before too long, clowns will be performing their magic in several other major cities here in the States and in Canada.
To help the clowns in their very special work, the Good People Fund is sending some funds to help pay for the white medical coats all qualified clowns receive after they have successfully completed their training. As medical professionals, they deserve to look the part!
2008-06-13 : “Ending Hunger in America”
June 13, 2008
Ending Hunger in America
Syd Mandelbaum, founder of Rock and Wrap It Up! http://www.rockandwrapitup.org sent out his latest e-newsletter today. We are never disappointed when we read of the latest triumphs that Syd, his small devoted staff and huge corps of volunteers manage to achieve. What started as a hunger relief project that retrieved leftovers from backstage at rock concerts (performance artists are usually treated to bountiful meals prior to going onstage) has expanded in so many ways since Syd began this work in 1994. To get a complete picture of the scope of RWR's work a visit to the website is in order, but there is one major feat we must mention here.
Syd refers to Rock and Wrap It Up! as a think tank on anti-poverty issues and if you review their site you will see just how many different areas they are involved in. There is no doubt, though, that what Syd and his group accomplished this year, described in the statement excerpted below, is an incredibly significant accomplishment. Yasher koach, Syd and Rock and Wrap It Up! As you say, the problem of hunger in this country will be greatly relieved by the passage of this bill.
Senate passes OUR BILL S 2420!!
S 2420, the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 was passed unanimously in the Senate in May. This Act was created, introduced and lobbied by Rock and Wrap It Up! It encourages the donation of food that is prepared but not served or sold. In early June, the Federal food Donation Act of 2008 was re-voted in the House, as there were some changes in the Senate version. It passed unanimously...We hope to have President Bush sign it this month. We are proud of all those who helped create awareness of the Act and helped in its passage through our legislative branches.
More importantly, millions of meals, in the aggregate will be available to feed our nations poor. This is our first step into changing American culture to feed the hungry and further green our land by not having food in our land fills. Once the Act is signed, we intend on reaching out to each State's Governor and ask that each State building become a potential harvesting tool, further using our simple tactic to help alleviate our nation's hunger issue.
2008-06-12 : “Going Home”
June 12, 2008
Going Home
About 6 weeks ago, just as we were beginning our work, an email arrived from Libby Reichman, founder of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Israel. (http://www.bigbrothers.org.il) Trained as a social worker, Libby realized that there were many children in Israel who came from troubled single-parent homes who would benefit from a warm and positive relationship with an adult. Her response to that problem was to begin Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Israel. Enlisting the help of mentors, adults who commit to meeting weekly with their "littles" to share some quality time at a movie, doing homework, taking a walk or just talking, BBBS has succeeded not only in Jerusalem but has now opened a branch in Tel Aviv as well.
Libby always has stories to share - most of these children come from terribly tragic circumstances and when possible, Libby feels compelled to provide more than the usual services of BBBS...sometimes she just has to try to resolve other incredibly difficult problems these kids and their families face. It was one of those problems that Libby shared six weeks ago...
B. is a woman who made aliya from the FSU with her husband 12 years ago. After arriving in Israel the couple had two children who are now 6 and 9 years old. Unfortunately, B.'s husband became abusive and she had to flee to a local shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence. After leaving the shelter, B. and the children lived in their own apartment supported by the shelter and then eventually moved into their own tiny apartment where she and the kids sleep in the same room. B. supports her family by working as a domestic and has overcome the trauma and strain of a violent situation. Those who worked with her believe that she has succeeded in every possible way despite unbelievable odds. What she and her children miss in their lives is family - all of B's family still live in the FSU - she has absolutely no one living in Israel. What they needed was to be able to return to the FSU to visit all of their relatives and once they had passports the cost of $3600 was all that was keeping them from making the journey.
Libby asked if we could help in any way. How do you say no to something like this? Clearly this was a family that had overcome much adversity - how great it would be for them to meet a grandfather, aunts, uncles, cousins. We told Libby that if she could raise $3100, we would provide the last $500 for this meaningful mitzvah. Today's email announced that the $3100 was raised and the purchase of tickets was in the works - could we send our portion? It was a pleasure to be part of this on behalf of Good People donors!
2008-06-06 : “Tsaar Baalei Chayim (the suffering of living creatures)”
June 06, 2008
Tsaar Baalei Chayim (the suffering of living creatures)
Anyone reading the Jewish press (or even the New York Times) for the past month or so, could not avoid the wrenching stories coming out of Postville, a small town in Iowa which was catapulted to national attention with the early morning raid by immigration officials at the Agriprocessors plant. Agriprocessors is the largest kosher meat slaughterhouse in the country, and the May 12 raid was not the first time the company was cited for serious violations including inhumane treatment of both the animals slaughtered at the plant, and the workers providing the labor necessary to carry out the processing.
Irregardless of one's feelings about illegal immigration in this country or one's feelings about kashrut (the observance of Jewish dietary laws), the story coming out of Postville is one of human tragedy. The workers at this plant are human beings, many with families, working long hours to make a better life. Over the past few weeks we read about the efforts of some of the local churches to help these workers but until this afternoon could not successfully make that important personal connection that would insure that any funds we contributed would go to help the families affected by this human disaster in the most direct way possible.
Early this afternoon, I received an email from Rabbi Mark Greenspan of Oceanside, NY. Rabbi Greenspan's weekly emails include sermons and other relevant study for the upcoming Shabbat, but this week he included the following letter from Rabbi Harold Kravitz of Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Minnetonka, MN. Rabbi Kravitz made a personal visit to Postville and describes that visit in the letter that follows. Please read it...it is a disturbing first-hand account of what took place in that plant and what has happened to the workers who were arrested. We were able to contact Rabbi Morris Allen who accompanied Rabbi Kravitz to Postville and through Rabbi Morris' connections we know that funds that we send will go to the welfare of the families impacted by this tragedy. If you would like to be part of our effort, please either send a check payable to the Good People Fund (384 Wyoming Avenue, Millburn, NJ 07041) and mark it for "Postville needs" or click on the Donate Now button to the right of your screen and make a credit card donation. Please be sure to indicate that your donation is designated for "Postville needs".
May 31, 2008 - 26 Iyar, 5768
Greetings:
I had a heart-rending experience this past Wednesday. My wife, Cindy, and college age daughter, Talia, drove down to Postville, Iowa (3 hours from the Twin Cities) with Rabbi Morris Allen and his daughter, Leora, and with Peter Glick, co-chair of Beth Jacob's Social Justice Committee. We went to see first hand what has been happening in Postville with Agriprocessors, in the aftermath of the largest federal immigration raids in US history.
We were met there by Avi Lyon. Avi is an experienced labor organizer from New Jersey, who served two years ago on the Conservative movement's initial Commission of Inquiry investigating Agriprocessors that lead up to the establishment of Heksher Tzedek. Heksher Tzedek is the initiative of the Conservative movement spearheaded by Rabbi Morris Allen, and assisted by Jewish Community Action (MN), working for a respectable standard of ethical conduct in the Kosher food industry.
While in Postville we visited with several representatives of the UFCW (United Food and Commercial Workers International Union) who are there assisting workers stunned by what has happened (see http://www.eyeonagriprocessors.org/). We met with former Rubashkin employees who are awaiting deportation. Most of them are women whose husbands and brothers have already been jailed and whose sentences are delayed so they can care for their minor children, some of whom are US citizens. We talked to local religious leaders of other faiths who are overwhelmed trying to support these people. St. Bridget's, the Catholic Church in Postville, is a gathering point for those is need. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) has appropriately declared Postville a human disaster area and is providing assistance.
We distributed contributions that our congregants had entrusted to us for this purpose. We spent hours hearing about appalling working conditions and the abuses that have taken place at Agriprocessors. We heard allegations of all kinds of abuses: underage workers; the poorest pay of any slaughterhouse in Iowa; supervisors who demanded payments and sexual favors in exchange for jobs or particular assignments. Workers consistently described being cursed at and screamed at to work faster and harder. We heard of people working in demanding and dangerous jobs with no training. We heard two stories of workers being struck. We repeatedly heard workers describe how a lead supervisor would demand that they buy a used car from him for more than its value in order to get a job at the plant, even though they were not eligible for a driver's license. The people we talked to are in the process of being deported. They had nothing to gain or lose from what they now say about their experiences. They are simple folk who answered questions directly without apparent embellishment (some of us know enough Spanish to attest that we were getting fair translations).
It was heartbreaking to see young women with electric shackles around their legs worrying about how they would now provide for their families. They were upset about losing their freedom and their opportunity to continue to work in this country. It is a shanda to hear first hand the ways this business has been run and the unethical ways people have been treated. Additionally, it was also a powerful encounter with the absurdity of what is happening with immigrant workers in this country upon whom we have all come to rely. For the first time illegal immigrants are being charged as criminals. This will prevent them from ever returning to the US. ...
Hebrew National used to advertise, "We answer to a Higher Authority." From what I can see the Rubashkins have badly damaged this claim of Kashrut. What has been happening in Postville in the very definition of Hillul HaShem. We heard that 16 Federal and State agencies are now investigating Agriprocessors. In response to my sermon this past Shabbat about our movement's press release, I had numerous congregants say to me, "Where there's smoke there's fire." Having been to Postville I will tell you that this is more than smoke. This is fire!
As Jews we have an obligation to care about that which is holy and that which is good. Properly observed, the institution of Kashrut embodies both of these values. It was reassuring to hear from Avi Lyon during our visit that there are numerous Kosher meat providers who do live up to these standards...
We have stood by enjoying our kosher meat and chicken from Agriprocessors which dominates the market locally and nationally. It has become increasingly clear that this has been at the expense of simple folks who have been severely mistreated and whose lives are now in utter disarray. We have a responsibility to speak out, We must speak to the providers and distributors of Kosher food about our concerns. We must urge all quarters of the Jewish community to respond to this travesty.
2008-06-05 : “Hunger in America and the Internet”
June 05, 2008
Hunger in America and the Internet
Pam Koner, founder of Family-to-Family (see May 8, 2008 diary entry) was in touch this morning.
Pam's program (http://www.family-to-family.org) has been addressing the problem of hunger in this country in an incredibly direct and creative manner since the organization was started in 2002-03 when Pam read a New York Times article describing food shortages in Pembroke, Illinois.
Since the founding of FtoF, Pam has developed additional programs designed to help people living in poor rural communities across the country. Her latest idea is a Hunger Relief Registry, where donors can utilize the power of the internet to adopt a family and sponsor their food needs for a year. Please read what Pam has sent and consider this simple but very effective way to address the growing hunger crisis in this country...all is takes is a click of the mouse.
FAMILY-TO-FAMILY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
There's a crisis at our nation's food banks and F-to-F wants to help. Our friends at America's Second Harvest tell us that their member food banks across the country are reporting huge increases in the numbers of families coming forward in need of emergency food supplies. At the same time food donations are way down so less food is available to give away. Many food pantries are turning people away altogether, and many others are giving out less food to each person who comes in. People are going hungry.
PLEASE HELP US HELP BY PASSING THIS EMAIL ON TO EVERYONE ON YOUR EMAIL LIST!
Family-to-Family and the Bedford-Stuyvesant Campaign Against Hunger have come up with a "crisis solution" to help these families... The Family-to-Family Hunger Relief Registry... a cyber-adoption program where you and your family will be linked to a family in one of the four desperately poor communities listed on our website's cyber sponsorship page. ...
If you are able to sponsor a family in need of help for one year ($25 per month), please click here Family-to-Family | Sponsor A Family to join our "cyber-sponsorship" program. 100% of your monthly contribution (minus Paypal's fee of about .80 cents) will be used to purchase groceries every month for 12 months for "your" family.
In an effort to make an immediate impact, please forward this email to your own email list, or to anyone blogging... so that we can, as an extended, grassroots, cyber-community, help feed hungry American families.
2008-06-03 : “Going to Israel?”
June 03, 2008
Going to Israel?
Now that school is closing for the summer and everyone is gearing up for camp or trips, an email I received this morning from Dawn Steirn in Florida reminded me of something any of us could do to make an Israel trip even more meaningful. Dawn and her family are leaving for the Holy Land shortly and in preparation Dawn was in touch with me awhile back to discuss possible ways they could do something that would benefit people in Israel. It didn't take long for them to decide that they would like to collect school supplies which will be distributed to Ethiopian children in Netanya through the good work of the Forgotten People Fund, an all-volunteer group working to help the very poor families that have settled in that city after arriving from Ethiopia. (http://www.fpf.org.il) Before too long, Dawn's kids (one had just celebrated his Bar Mitzvah making this even more meaningful) had sent letters to their classmates at the David Posnack Hebrew Day School and the collection started to grow. By the time the Steirns leave for Israel in a few days, they will be carrying a duffel containing precious school supplies.
One phone call to Israel was all it took for me to arrange for pickup at a Jerusalem hotel and the mitzvah was complete!
Nesia tova (a good trip) to the Steirns! You have done a fine thing with this effort.
If others would like to be "mitzvah messengers," (as our good friend George Greene called those who took on this special effort) please be in touch with me. (Naomi@goodpeoplefund.org). We have lots of ideas to share.
2008-06-02 : “Saving Lives, One by One”
June 02, 2008
Saving Lives, One by One
Occasionally, there are conversations that I have which remind me in the most poignant of ways of just how important our work is and how words like "small" or "insignificant" hold no relevance in the tzedakah world. I just got off the phone with Igor Feldblyum, the founder of Am Echad, a small organization based in Maryland. Igor emigrated from the FSU many years ago but has not forgotten the people who remain behind, many of them elderly, alone and sick. It was on a business trip to St. Petersburg almost ten years ago that Igor actually saw the faces of some of these (mostly) elderly Jews and felt compelled to do something. After all, he was lucky-he had been able to leave the FSU, was welcomed to the United States by American Jewry which provided him with what he needed to establish himself and his family. So many others remained behind, destined to live their last years in poverty and isolation.
How could he help? If there was a way to send small sums of money monthly to those who were most vulnerable, perhaps some people could have a better life. It was not long before others who heard of Igor's visit agreed to be part of a plan to help these people and that was the beginning of Am Echad, a more-than-meaningful name for Igor's vision to bring some relief to St. Petersburg's poorest citizens. (make a visit to http://www.amechad.net to learn just how Igor accomplishes this).
As we were ending our conversation, Igor shared that Am Echad is helping almost 90 people right now, most of them single and living alone. They each receive anywhere from $20-$75. depending upon their individual circumstances. When I asked Igor to remind me what it costs to run Am Echad each year he mentioned $36,000 (there is little or no overhead) Imagine--$36,000...how many lives have changed with these modest sums of money? ...sometimes we forget-changing lives, one by one is not impossible...sometimes it just takes a vision and the will.
2008-05-27 : “Searching For Your Roots: Part III”
May 27, 2008
Searching For Your Roots: Part III - (see May 21, 22, 2008 entries)
Before we even had a chance to send some funds to Dr. Albert and the Shalom Children's Fund we received an email from him which included the following letter which he received from his contacts in Kiev. Though we have abridged the letter, we think that what follows surely shows how important Dr. Albert's efforts are to the children of Kiev.
Dear Moses!
We are very grateful for the aid you provided the Jewish children with asthma.
Today, when the flowers and other plants are at full blossom, children suffering from asthma (L. and A. M., T. and S. O., and L. Z.) experience significant health improvement - thanks to the air filters that you've purchased for them their allergic reactions have decreased.
...Once again, thank you for helping and supporting the Jewish children.
Please accept the warmest wishes to you and your community.
Best regards, G.
Yasher koach to Dr. Moses Albert and the Shalom Children's Fund!
2008-05-26 : “Chicken Delight”
May 26, 2008
Chicken Delight
Peter Freimark, one of our board members and one of the most creative and indefatigable mitzvah-doers we know, just sent me a link to a story which appeared in the Cleveland Jewish News last week. I knew that Peter had been involved in a big "chicken deal" recently, but the article described the enormity of Peter's venture with far more detail than I realized. Can you imagine trying to find a place for 22 tons of frozen chicken? (and then, a short time later, finding recipients for an additional 22 tons?) Apparently, for Peter it was not such a difficult task. Read on to see how Peter and Temple Israel Ner Tamid in Cleveland changed many lives with some ingenuity, a little bit of sweat and some big hearts!
Click here: http://ClevelandJewishNews.com -- News/Local
2008-05-22 : “Searching For Your Roots: Part II”
May 22, 2008
Searching For Your Roots: Part II - (see May 21, 2008 entry)
I was able to reach Dr. Albert tonight and heard first-hand not only the story of how he got involved in helping children in Ukraine, but also how he eventually founded the Shalom Children's Fund, the small grass-roots organization through which he channels his energies on behalf of the children. There is nothing very complicated about what Dr. Albert does...with the donations that he receives, he travels to Ukraine every 8 to 10 weeks (at his own expense) and personally meets and accompanies children (who have been identified as in need) to the store where they can select the items that they want to wear. For so many of these children, this is a dream come true. On his most recent trip, Dr. Albert expanded his work and was able to purchase rehabilitation equipment for some kids who are disabled.
We truly enjoyed our conversation and have decided that the Shalom Children's Fund will be one of the new programs the Good People Fund will help with their work. Talk about hands-on and grass-roots!
2008-05-21 : “Searching For Your Roots ....”
May 21, 2008
Searching For Your Roots ....
I often refer to my friend, Diane Lipson Schilit, as "eagle eyes". She frequently forwards emails with links to interesting stories about tzedakah, creative ways to change the world, good people...the things we are excited to learn about. Today's email from Diane was a little cryptic..."thought this would interest you..." and a link to a news article in the Washington Jewish Week.
Diane made a good guess...the news article did interest me...the more I read, the more excited I became.
The piece shared the story of Dr. Moses Albert-a D.C.-area physician who wanted very much to explore his family's roots and their ties to Ukraine...their original home. What Dr. Albert learned was that despite the departure of a large number of Jews from Kiev, Ukraine's capital, many still lived there, most in great poverty. How could he help? After several visits, Dr. Albert saw exactly how he could help and with his wife, came up with a plan. With the assistance of two organizations based in Kiev, children from poor families or children with no family at all, are identified and when Dr. Albert visits the city, he takes the children shopping and lets them pick out what they want and need...This is a hands-on project in the very truest sense...I am going to call Dr. Albert and find out more...stay tuned!
2008-05-20 : “Passion and Mission”
May 20, 2008
Passion and Mission
Maureen Kushner was in touch this morning. We have known Maureen for many years---she is a fine example of a woman-with-a-passion as well as a woman-on-a-mission....
Her passion and her mission is the Peace Through Humor Project which she started several years ago. Formerly an art teacher, Maureen originally worked in the New York City schools and has also used her considerable talents with kids who experienced terror attacks and life-threatening illnesses in Los Angeles, Oklahoma and other parts of the country.
Peace Through Humor has been Maureen's focus for more than ten years....she has traveled throughout Israel visiting kids in Israeli, Arab, Bedouin and Druze schools where she worked with them to develop original paintings based upon the theme of war and peace. The artwork has become part of a traveling exhibit which was adopted by the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has journeyed more miles than most of us will ever do in our lifetime....Maureen tells me that at the end of this year, the paintings will be on view at Ben Gurion Airport!
Despite its impressive run, the success of the exhibit has been almost entirely borne by Maureen for she not only conceived of the idea but has also personally underwritten a very large part of its costs...which include framing, captions, art supplies, shipping and much, much more.
As the show moves from its present venue-The Mizel Museum in Denver, Maureen needs an infusion of funds to help with the costs of new captions, reproductions and other incidentals...the Good People Fund has just committed to contributing to these new costs...we believe in Maureen and we believe in what she is trying to foster, despite the sometimes bleak outlook we all embrace in times such as these...
2008-05-19 : “Natural Disasters and Human Disasters”
May 19, 2008
Natural Disasters and Human Disasters
This morning's news continues to lead with the huge loss of life and infrastructure that is playing out in the tragedy of Myanmar and China...it boggles one's mind to see the never-ending images of devastation and death...the bright news from this morning was the discovery of a young man found alive after eight days of being buried under the rubble of a power station. I cannot help but wonder how the human spirit prevails under such extreme circumstances, particularly in such oppressive environs as Myanmar.
The Good People Fund is going to try to lend a hand with both situations. In times when we do not have someone we know on the ground, who we can rely on to help us make a difference in some way, we turn to the Joint Distribution Committee, frequently referred to as " the Joint" or JDC. In fact, they have had someone on the ground in Myanmar within a few days after the cyclone hit. The JDC has experience dealing with so many different situations of this type that we are comfortable sending them our donations...we know they will help.
Two checks are going in the mail today...
2008-05-08 : “Chicks and Piglets ....”
May 08, 2008
Chicks and Piglets ....
Pam Koner, from Family-to-Family (http://www.family-to-family.org) just called. It is always great to catch up with Pam and hear about the latest ways she is helping to relieve poverty and hunger throughout many rural areas in this country. In the past we have partnered with Pam in unique and interesting ways-microloans, seed money for cottage industries and other ways a modest amount of money can make BIG changes for many people.
Pam spent this past weekend in Myra, Kentucky, a deeply impoverished town in the Appalachians. Myra is a community she has worked with for some time and with this visit she was able to further develop a new idea for Myra and we are excited to be working with her to make it possible... With so many people unemployed, hunger is a huge problem in Myra...despair, hunger and poverty go hand-in-hand here. Pam's idea is to return many of Myra's residents to the activity that so many of their parents and grandparents were involved in-farming. How great it would be if they could be given seeds, chickens, even piglets(!) and be taught how to farm...the land is rich and fertile, the basic tools needed are relatively inexpensive... add some education about farming and lessons on how to can or preserve your bounty so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor long after the fields have been cleared and voila!...you have a plan that can work. Pam's goal is to start small-with a pilot of maybe 4 or 5 families and then evaluate the outcome. If this works, the options are numerous...we await more word from Pam on how she is going to proceed and will definitely be part of this exciting program to help feed hungry people.
2008-05-01 : “Double Your Pleasure, Double the Mitzvahs!”
May 01, 2008
Double Your Pleasure, Double the Mitzvahs!
Aaron and Zachary Nessel's Mom was in touch today-more checks are coming in for the twins' Bar Mitzvah project. Aaron and Zachary decided they wanted to help feed hungry kids in Israel after they read about the savtas (grandmothers) at Beit Frankforter in Jerusalem. The savtas arrive at Beit Frankforter early each morning to prepare sandwiches for kids in nearby schools whose parents cannot afford to provide them with this mid-morning snack. Some days they make cheese, other days it might be hummous or chocolate spread or maybe even tuna. Each sandwich is bagged with a piece of fruit as well. The boys have been very successful in their efforts and as you can see from their note, they even had a chance to visit Beit Frankforter and witnessed first-hand these dedicated savtas hard at work....
For our Bar Mitzvah project we are trying to raise money for kids in Israel that cannot afford lunch at school. We visited Beit Frankforter in Jerusalem this past December, the Jerusalem Center for the Aged, and met the 'savtas' that make 500 sandwiches a day to send to the local schools. The project is called "A Sandwich a Day for Every Child". We hope that you can help us raise enough money to feed a child who comes to school without an afternoon sandwich. These children come from broken homes, or have parents who cannot, will not or do not have the money or make the time to prepare a lunch for their child. It costs approximately $21 per month to feed one child. Our goal is to feed at least two children for a year. In order to accomplish this we will be selling Israeli foods at the HAMC and all proceeds will go to this wonderful organization. We are also reaching out to you and others for donations to help this cause...
Yasher koach to Aaron and Zachary! This is an example that lots of other kids could follow.
2008-04-30 : “Even Though There Are No More Pushcarts ...”
April 30, 2008
Even Though There Are No More Pushcarts ...
If you live in New York or the metropolitan area, you know that the Lower East Side of Manhattan is undergoing tremendous change as the area is gentrified and becomes the new "hot spot" for clubs and nightlife.
Despite the changes, tucked away on Grand Street where many of our relatives probably worked or lived, is Project Ezra (http://www.projectezra.org) ...a fine, fine agency that provides many life-saving services for the remaining elders living nearby. Dalia Abbot, one of Project Ezra's social workers was in touch today...she asked if it would be possible for us to help provide funds to purchase supermarket scrip for some of the more vulnerable elders who can barely make it through the month with their meager income. The nice thing about this program is that the small local stores, which are where most of the elders shop because it is in the neighborhood, work with Project Ezra to facilitate the project. Each elder who qualifies (and there are many who qualify but do not receive because of limited funding) receives a monthly allowance of $30 or $360 yearly. It doesn't seem like a lot of money-particularly when you know what food costs are these days, but Dalia tells me that it really does make a difference for them. We're going to help twelve elders with their food needs right now and hopefully will be able to do even more some time down the road...
2008-04-29 : “Birthdays Galore!”
April 29, 2008
Birthdays Galore!
Just got an email from Ruthie Sobel Luttenberg of Birthday Angels in Israel (http://www.birthday-angels.org) ...it was filled with such excitement and good news! Birthday Angels, which provides birthday parties for kids who would otherwise not celebrate this very special day in their life, is now expanding its scope and has taken on new organizations that provide the volunteer help to make the parties possible. Since January alone, she has provided more than 685 parties-that makes nearly 3700 smiling kids... we'd say a pretty impressive track record. Ruthie tells me she is also about ready to launch her new teen party kit which will make it possible to have Israeli teens share in the joy of a birthday celebration.
...think it is about time we sent some money to make Ruthie's work a little easier.
2008-04-28 : “We're Going to Help Make a Wedding!”
April 28, 2008
We're Going to Help Make a Wedding!
...just hung up from PK Beville, founder of Second Wind Dreams-that fabulous program that makes dreams come true for people living in closed care institutions. PK always has a great story to share...they never fail to bring a tear or two to our eyes. She didn't disappoint us today...seems there is a couple that has been married for over 60 years and the wife has decided that she wants a real wedding. She and her husband married in the local city hall on the eve of the Second World War, just as he was being shipped out to serve in the war. Now, decades later, she wants to do it right-wedding gown and all of the trappings. How could we say no to this one? I am writing a check this minute to help make this dream come true-it's a beauty! (http://www.secondwind.org)
2008-04-23 : “You Never Know”
April 23, 2008
You Never Know
Several years ago we became familiar with the work being done by a Chicago-based organization called MayaWorks (http://www.mayaworks.org). MayaWorks is dedicated to helping women in Guatemala--women living in remote areas of the country. There are many services that MayaWorks' volunteers and staff provide but the one that literally caught our eye was the now famous MayaWorks kippah. Many Mayan women possess creative talents--weaving, crocheting--hand-arts we might call them and MayaWorks has sold the items they made for years. One of the organization's Jewish volunteers, though, recognized the possibilities of Judaica, particularly kippot. The rest, as they say, is history. Mayan women have been creating the most beautiful, colorful kippot which can now be found at weddings, b'nai mitzvot and other simchas throughout this country. In the world of clothing and fashion, you might say they were a hot item!
Kathleen Morkert, the outgoing Executive Director of MayaWorks forwarded the following e-mail this morning. She had just received it from a young woman named Susan and she knew that we would be moved by what Susan shared...
Good Morning,
My name is Susan and as a young girl I was adopted from Guatemala and have lived in the US since 1981. I am Mayan from a small Guatemalan village and I am also Jewish. Although I have traveled to Guatemala, I have never found a way to combine my religion and my heritage, both of which are so very important to me. In fact it has been difficult to identify with my culture when it is so intermingled with a strong Catholic/Christian faith.
I wanted to let you know that I am incredibly moved that I can purchase Judaica items created by Mayan woman. It is a unique way two parts of me that always seem so disconnected can come together beautifully. My faith and my culture can now share a place in my home, not as separate individuals but as familia and mishpacha. I am buying all the Judaica I can find on your site, kippah for my husband, a shalom weaving for my home.
Please know that your organization is not only helping Mayan women in Guatemala, it is also helping one in the US, if in perhaps, a different way.
Peace and Love,
Susan
We were moved to tears by this note...it said so much and proved once again that, particularly in the world of tzedakah, you never know just how meaningful things can be.
The MayaWorks kippot, by the way, are truly stunning. Consider them if you are having a simcha. We can tell you how to purchase them--be in touch.
2008-04-22 : “Kid Power!”
April 22, 2008
Kid Power!
I woke up this morning to an email from Ron Adams who teaches at the Broad Meadows Middle School in Quincy, MA. Ron has been a friend for several years. His gentle temperament is well suited to teaching...kids who pass through his classes are truly blessed.
Fortunately, Ron's special nature is used not only in the formal classroom but also in his work advising the kids who participate in the school's after-class club devoted to ending child labor throughout the world. (You can learn more about the history of the Quincy kids' efforts at their website, http://www.mirrorimage.com/iqbal/index.html.) For more than ten years, many students going through Broad Meadows Middle School have taken part in this special effort and because of their involvement, many have found their own lives changed in different ways. The Kids' Campaign has brought them to such august venues as the US Congress, the United Nations, even Harvard Business School has called upon their expertise and invited them to speak on behalf of this world-wide problem.
Ron's request was a simple one-he needed funding to provide this year's group with t-shirts for their end-of-year activities....as he wrote...
However, I have NOT been able to find funding for the end-of-the-year tee shirts for the Quincy Kids. In previous years, Ziv paid for the tee shirts as long as they were produced with justice. I'd love, truly love, to be able to order 60 tee shirts, made with justice by a union print shop on Bobo's wife's label "Edun-live". These tee shirts are made with justice from South African grower to sewer, guaranteed! That's the only kind of tee shirt worthy of covering the big hearts of the small people at Broad Meadows Middle School. Is there any way you could help us with the purchase of these 60 tee shirts? The cost of the cheapest tee shirts, the made-in-China-under-who-knows-what-kind-of-working-conditions, are $ 6.50 each. For $9.00 each, I can get the Edun-live, made-without-hurting-anyone-tee-shirts. That's a lot of money, but the symbolism is powerful...we can shop with a conscience, wear shirts with pride and use the shirts to make others aware of producing goods which are good for people, harmless to children and good for the environment.
Who could say no to this simple but oh-so-powerful request? I told Ron that I thought the Good People Fund could underwrite these shirts-in fact, it would be an honor for us to do so!
2008-04-17 : “Let All Who Are Hungry Come and Eat ....”
April 17, 2008
Let All Who Are Hungry Come and Eat ....
A good friend who works with Shoah survivors and children of survivors was in touch by phone today. Would it be possible to help provide some extra funds in the form of supermarket coupons so that they could shop for Pesach food without worrying about the high cost? (Having just returned a few days ago from my own third trip to the market, I knew just what they were going to face-prices are outrageous!) We know the situations of the people she was referring to and gladly agreed. Many are very old, living on meager funds and a holiday like this could truly impact their already tenuous financial situation. In a short time I had ordered the scrip and it was on the way to each person's home.
We were also asked if we could share in the cost of a Pesach seder for one of these individuals. With no family or friends nearby he would have had to be alone on this particularly family-centered holiday. Of course! This was an easy but incredibly important request to fulfill. Another person's holiday would be brighter....
2008-04-15 : “Making a Bat Mitzvah Meaningful”
April 15, 2008
Making a Bat Mitzvah Meaningful
Madison Wegner and her Mom came to visit today. Madison is a thoughtful young woman about to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. She and her Mom came to talk a bit about Madison's mitzvah project. Madison has lots of interests but when I told her about Beit Hayeled and my recent email from Yitz Feigenbaum she was really excited....Among Madison's many interests are kids, and Beit Hayeled's focus on providing a safe and loving home for kids removed from their parent(s)' supervision because of abuse or other negative situations was of particular interest to her and her family. When I mentioned that Beit Hayeled needed about $4000 annually to cover the costs of medications taken by many of the kids (these are costs above and beyond what the government provides) Madison expressed an immediate interest in trying to meet part of that expense and pledged to underwrite the costs of medication for one month. A perfect fit for both Madison and for the kids at Beit Hayeled!
Mazal tov, Madison!
2008-04-04 : “Sometimes Good Things Just Happen”
April 04, 2008
Sometimes Good Things Just Happen
Sometimes things happen in the strangest of ways and good things come about with little or no real planning. Through a series of coincidences, Rabbi Adam Feldman and I were in touch with Yitz Feigenbaum at Beit Hayeled in Israel at about the same time (Beit Hayeled is a very special small home where kids who are removed from their parents by the courts have a chance to live in a loving, warm and supportive environment under the watchful care of Yitz and Irit Zucker who work together in this endeavor) ...Rabbi Feldman mentioned to Yitz that he was collecting some tzedakah money from his congregants and would send it to Beit Hayeled for any needs they might have. Since it was right before Pesach, Yitz mentioned that clothing for the holiday and for the spring and summer was very much needed for some of the kids. When we learned this, I challenged Rabbi Feldman by offering a matching grant of up to $500 for any funds he might be able to send to Beit Hayeled. Sure enough, the congregation raised $650 which was matched by $500 from the Good People Fund and Yitz's kids got what they needed to greet Spring in some beautiful new clothes.
A short time later, we received the following email from Yitz which says better than anything we can think of, just how important our joint efforts were....
Dear Rabbi Feldman & Naomi,
Just this morning Irit and I came back from visiting some of our kids who are on a short vacation and we took one boy to lunch at the mall. After lunch we went with him to the "Golf " clothes store and he picked out a nice new white shirt for the Chag. Irit in the meantime went and picked up three new outfits for the three sisters who...will not be going home at all for Pesach. We got back from the mall about two hours ago and I just received the following SMS message from the oldest sister - she wrote: "Yitz!! Really thank you so much for all the clothes!! You really made me so happy...Chag Sameach :)"All the exclamation points are her's but I think the smiley at the end belongs to you guys.Todah Rabah & Chag Sameach!
Yitz
Sometimes doing mitzvahs is almost too easy!
2008-03-28 : “Kvod Hamet”
March 28, 2008
Kvod Hamet
Our friend Sue Halpern acts as our "eyes and ears" down on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi where Katrina ravaged land and lives almost three years ago. We can always count on Sue to let us know where a little help is needed. Sure enough-today's email from Sue alerted us to the fact that an elderly woman living in Biloxi had just died and her community was seeking funds to provide her with a modest but respectful funeral since neither she nor her few remaining relatives had the means to underwrite the service and burial. How fitting that our first distribution of tzedakah would go to this very sacred mitzvah...Mrs. T. would have a proper burial and we would fulfill the mitzvah of Kvod Hamet. This feels good...real good.
