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?

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….

May 5, 2010

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.

…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…??

"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!

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.