Who doesn’t recall with fondness reading great children’s books? Goodnight Moon or even the late Maurice Sendak’s, Where Wild Things Are? The benefits and joy of reading are things that cannot be introduced too early in a child’s life.

Another experience we all know can be transforming is the joy of giving. Pam Koner, founder of Family to Family has just created a new program which we love. Giving Works! is a brilliant idea. Children with "less" who normally receive help from others, actually have the chance to enjoy the feeling of giving back with this program. They are supplied with a drawstring backpack, some new or gently used books and book labels. After they decorate the labels and place them in the books, they visit a local school where kids are also struggling with poverty. Each child is paired with one in the classroom and they read and share the books together. When they are finished, they write the name of the child receiving the books on the label and give the books to them as a gift. What a great way to teach compassion and sharing!

We were excited to be able to pair the 4th grade at Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, Massachusetts with this great program. The kids studied the mitzvah of Talmud Torah, the study of Torah, all year. They educated people about literacy and collected tons of books which they donated to a nearby school which was in need of additional books. The tzedakah the class collected was sent to the Good People Fund and we have used it to supply more books to the Giving Works! program.

What a great match!

We could not be happier about the recent stories which ran in both the Jewish Standard in Bergen County (NJ)and the New Jersey Jewish News. While the entire African refugee story continues to unfold we can at least feel comfortable knowing the hungry people are being fed. Please check out:

http://tinyurl.com/7fxykr8

Cerebral palsy has kept Avi Ben-Jano confined to a wheelchair for his entire life. Until about 8 eight years ago, Avi never experienced independent living; the freedom to choose what he might eat for dinner, the color of the walls in his room, the simplest choices we all take for granted. When Avi was fortunate enough to join the Shalhevet community in Jerusalem his entire life changed. Begun by Miriam Freier, Shalhevet advocates on behalf of adult disabled people, provides opportunities to travel and socialize and has built a beautiful complex of apartments where several reside in their own individual units.

We have met Avi several times in past years when we used to visit Shalhevet. We knew of his interest in film and had heard that with Shalhevet’s support, he had produced several short films which had been well received.

When we got a call recently asking if we night help Avi we were, of course, interested in hearing the story. Avi’s latest project is a documentary featuring the moving story of Meir who was paralyzed following an accident. The movie tells Meir’s story and how he and the love of his life, Lee, are raising a family. The film shows that while we may not control what happens in life, we do have the tools to cope with what life brings.

While the film, "Through Thick and Thin", is nearly completed, Avi’s most pressing need was for funds to produce a movie trailer for marketing purposes, as well as for submission to a prestigious disabilities conference here in America. Could the Good People Fund help with a modest stipend to make this possible?

We agreed and have just heard that the film has been accepted to the Southwest Conference on Disabilities which will take place this Fall.

Tzedakah invested well…

There are times when we are approached with a situation that almost defies belief. Such was the case when we recently spoke with Liz Gitlin, co-founder with her husband Bruce, of the New York Center for Law and Justice. The Center’s focus is on helping the city’s indigent deaf and hard of hearing population with legal matters.

Liz shared the story of William*, now 52 years old. At the age of three, William was a normal toddler enjoying a day at the park. An accident with a swing resulted in severe head trauma and loss of hearing. Incredibly,William was placed in Willowbrook, then a residential treatment center for children with mental deficiencies. Willowbrook later became infamous for its inhumane treatment of residents and after much public scandal the center closed in 1987. William spent eleven years in Willowbrook.

When Liz met William he had several legal issues that needed resolution, but most pressing was his back rent. William has been a faithful employee of a fast food restaurant for many years and earns $7.65 hourly. And yet, with that and his SSDI he is able to survive, though barely. When he got behind in his rent, eviction became a real possibility.

Now that the Good People Fund has taken care of that crisis, William and Liz are working together on budgeting issues as well as the Social Security case. We have also agreed to cover the cost of equipment he needs in order to be able to communicate with people via telephone.

Our tzedakah investment in William will make a profound difference in what is surely a difficult life.

* a pseudonym

Who would have imagined that there would be a market for datil peppers, one of the hottest varieties ever grown. We’ve just returned from a visit to Veterans Farm in Jacksonville, Florida where we saw thousands of pepper plants flourishing in the greenhouse purchased by the Good People Fund this past Spring.

Adam Burke, Veterans Farm founder, was everything we imagined–a leader who radiates warmth and compassion to those around him. Adam returned from Iraq with severe PTSD, TBI (traumatic brain injury) and a Purple Heart. Despite those very serious injuries he vowed to help others and give back, if he made it home alive. Recovery was slow and difficult but when he returned to farming, something he grew up with on his family’s blueberry farm, a new calm and sense of well-being came over him. If working the land was therapeutic for him, why not for others?

Today, Veterans Farm grows not only those hot chili peppers, but also blueberries and other fruits and veggies. Working the land with Adam are several fellows who receive a stipend for a six month fellowship. We met a few of these vets and came away understanding just how effective and meaningful working the land can be.

With the ever-increasing number of soldiers returning stateside with severe emotional disabilities, Adam’s model offers a program that can restore a sense of well-being and calm. From our own few hours on the farm we would have to agree.

Naomi & Steve-

Thought this might brighten your day…it did mine.

We could not be happier that the thousands of dollars worth of food that was delivered to the McRoberts community is getting exactly where it is needed.