Archive for September, 2009
September 15th, 2009
Tari of Camarillo, CA, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah earlier this year. As part of her rite of passage, Tari organized a Mitzvah Project that would benefitOperation: Blankets of Love. The organization collects items for animals in shelters, to make the animals more comfortable.
“I collected blankets, towels, washcloths, sheets, and pet beds for 3 months,” Tari tells Mitzvah Mail. “I put boxes at my temple, and I put boxes at my school. Once both boxes were overflowing (which happened a lot), I would contact the head of the foundation, Eileen Smulson. I would then arrange a meeting point and give her the blankets to take to pounds and shelters. Then I would collect some more.”
The idea is that by making the animals more comfortable, it could help to save their lives. “Operation: Blankets of Love works with dogs, cats and other animals in the pounds. When the animal is more comfortable (with a blanket) then they tend to be adopted more often, saving animals’ lives.”
We want to thank Tari for sharing her Mitzvah Project with us. You really are making a difference, Tari!
September 15th, 2009
Creating a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Project as part of your rite of passage is an amazing undertaking. Quite often, the process of conceptualizing the Project, executing it and seeing the results of the Project not only impact you, as the Mitzvah Child, but your friends, family and the community also benefits. Basically, it becomes personal. For Jillian Udell of Dix Hills, NY, her Mitzvah Projects (she took on not one, but two!) were personal in many ways. Here’s what we learned from this very thoughtful young lady:
Jillian Udell is a competitive gymnast. So, naturally, 2008 was a special year, not only because it was her Bat Mitzvah year, but also because it was a Summer Olympics year. Jillian chose “the Olympics” as her Mitzvah theme and she chose the Special Olympics as the beneficiary of her Mitzvah Project.
“I thought that this was a great organization to donate to because it gives people with disabilities a chance to compete in sports they enjoy,” Jillian shares with Mitzvah Mail. “When we made the donation, we received special acknowledgement cards from Special Olympics. We obtained one card for each adult guest and put them at each guest’s plate during the dinner celebration.”
In addition to making a donation to the Special Olympics, Jillian chose to do something even more personal; she decided to give a piece of herself (literally) to people in need. Jillian donated her hair to Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths, which donates wigs made of donated hair to women who have lost their own hair because of cancer treatments.
“I decided to take on this charity because some of my friends’ mothers, and countless others, are suffering from hair loss due to cancer,” Jillian explains. Jillian donated the required 8 inches of hair and plans to donate again when her hair grows another 8 inches.
Jillian getting her hair cut so she can donate
We want to thank Jillian for sharing her Mitzvah Projects with us. You really are making a difference, Jillian!
September 15th, 2009
Jono Sadeghi celebrated his Bar Mitzvah less than a month ago. As part of his Bar Mitzvah, Jono created a Mitzvah Project that he is working on through the end of the summer. We wanted to share information about Jono’s Project and help people learn about the Nalaga’at Center.
The Nalaga’at Center is located in Israel. It offers a unique culture and entertainment center that is the first of its kind in the entire world. The Center is comprised of a 330-seat theatre, where the Nalaga’at Deaf-Blind Theater Company presents its productions; a gourmet-style restaurant which operates in total darkness and is staffed by blind waiters; and a cafe which has deaf waiters serve its guests. The Nalaga’at Center opened to the general public in December 2007 and has since allowed more than 40,000 people experience its unique culture.
Jono learned about the Nalaga’at Center after his mom returned from Israel and a visit to the Nalaga’at Center. “My mom showed me a video she was given when she visited this place,” Jono tells us. “It seemed like an amazing thing that the Deaf-Blind were given a place and the tools to express themselves and make a living and a life through Nalaga’at. She told me that the actors are from all over the world and included people from Russia, Ethiopia, the Arab world and even a man who walked across Africa to Israel.”
After learning about the Nalaga’at Center, Jono came up with a Mitzvah Project to benefit the Center. “My Project is to provide more than 300 disadvantaged kids from the South of Israel with a theater workshop to develop their ability to express themselves along with seeing a performance of the Deaf-Blind and enjoying a meal at Café Kapisch, where Deaf waiters serve the food,” Jono explains.
“There are many underprivileged youth in Israel and many of them might not see a way out of their circumstances,” Jono continues. “Seeing Deaf-Blind actors perform demonstrates that everyone can try to overcome their obstacles and make a contribution. It also shows that there’s a place for everyone, no matter how ‘different’ they are.”
Jono is working to collect contributions to help create this experience for underprivileged kids in Israel. The cost of the workshop, the performance and the meal is approximately $4,300. Jono is also looking for Mitzvah Kids throughout the country who might help him spread the word within their Hebrew Schools.
If you are interested in learning more, please email Jono’s mom, Amy at ags1@comcast.net.
Thank you, Jono! You are really making a difference!
September 15th, 2009
It seems that sometimes kids search for a Mitzvah Project idea, while for other kids, the idea is very clear early on. For Rachel Moskowitz of Washington, D.C., the idea was clear. She wanted to create a project that benefited the memory of a dear family friend. Rachel called her project, Keeping the Change, and it benefited Hope for Henry.
Henry Strongin Goldberg was a little boy who died of Fanconi anemia when he was only seven years old.Hope for Henry is a nonprofit organization started by Henry’s parents that hopes to enrich experiences for young patients being treated at the nation’s top pediatric oncology and hemotology wards. Rachel wanted to support the organization. “I took on this particular project because Henry was my little brother’s best friend, so the cause is near and dear to my heart. I wanted to help in any way I could, and my project was my way of lending a hand, ” Rachel tells us.
In order to raise funds and awareness for Hope for Henry, Rachel figured that even small change could make a big difference. “I purchased several metal cans, which I decorated and placed in many different locations, such as the main office in my elementary school and in my synagogue. The goal was for people to drop their loose change into the can, and thus accumulate money to donate to the foundation,” Rachel explains.
Rachel was successful in collecting donations as well as spreading the word about Hope for Henry. She wants everyone to know that while her cans are no longer around, you can still learn about Hope for Henry and get involved by visiting their Website.
Thank you, Rachel! You are helping to make a real difference!
September 15th, 2009
Matthew and Emily Goldstein of Woodmere, NY, are preparing for their B’nai Mitzvah which will take place in December. Their inspirational Mitzvah Project, which benefits the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), brought them half-way around the world to Israel. Here’s an overview of their Project, “Dear Soldier,” in this brother/sister team’s own words:
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
M & E: To us doing a Mitzvah Project is caring about more than ourselves and helping and supporting others who need it. Whether it is contributing to our community or even the entire world, it is important to have a goal to make things better for somebody else.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
M & E: We asked all of our friends and family to write a letter, paragraph, or even a few words that they would want to say to an Israeli soldier. We then took all of their letters and made them into books that we distributed to Israeli soldiers throughout Israel. Our Mitzvah Project only requires a donation of time and a little bit of effort. We gave out and e-mailed letters detailing what to do and how to contribute to our project.
The soldiers were all touched by what Matthew and Emily did
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
M & E: We decided to create this project because we were going to Israel for the first time, and since it is our B’nai Mitzvah in December, we felt it fitting to let all of the Israeli soldiers know that we in America are thinking of them.
MM: Is there an end date to your Project? How can people get involved?
M & E: No. We want our project to be able to be continued for as long as people keep writing, and even after that. We want this to be the never-ending Mitzvah. If anybody wants to write a letter, or even draw a picture for the soldiers, you can send it to ideas4me@aol.com or 99 Willow Road, Woodmere, NY 11598.
Thank you, Matthew and Emily! You are really making a difference!
September 15th, 2009
Tara Silberg of Jericho, NY, won’t have her Bat Mitzvah for another three years, but she is already thinking about “Mitzvahs.” Tara told us about her family bike ride to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Tara and others involved hope that by participating in the Bike MS event, everyone will become a little more aware of what MS is and how we can help those who have MS. Here is what Tara graciously shared with us about her family Mitzvah ride:
“Last October 5th, my family and I rode 30 miles for Bike MS which helps those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that damages the nervous system. It can be deadly. But with everyone’s help, doctors can find a cure. Doing the ride was difficult for me through the pouring rain. But we toughed it out and rode with the other groups. At the end of the ride, I was so happy to be done but most importantly, I DID IT!
I was so proud of what I accomplished. It felt really good to know that it was for a good cause. Anyone can do this ride. All you need to do is raise $100 or more. I raised $500 and got cool socks, an awesome hat, and finally, a great feeling! Keep on riding…”
If you would like more information on the Bike MS event and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, please visit their Website. And we’d like to wish Tara a Happy Birthday! She turns 10 this weekend!
September 15th, 2009
Dennis Fries of Chandler, AZ, is warming the hearts of young children, one stuffed animal at a time. Dennis, who was Bar Mitzvahed in Fall of 2004, continues to run his Mitzvah Project, Operation Noah. We think Dennis explains it best in his own words. Here’s what this eloquent young man had to share with Mitzvah Mail:
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
DF: Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah is an important day in your life, marking your admittance into adulthood and maturity. Thus, your learning should transcend the scrolls of the Torah and be implemented in real life. That’s where the Mitzvah Project comes into play. I believe that a Mitzvah Project should do two things: inspire you and inspire others. It should inspire you to become a better person by serving your community, and it should inspire others to join in your cause (directly or indirectly) and serve the community as well.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
DF: Operation Noah is a non-profit organization that I started in August of 2004, right before my Bar Mitzvah. It is dedicated to collecting new stuffed animals and delivering them to children in the hospital. As of February 2009, Operation Noah has delivered over 50,000 stuffed animals to almost 100 hospitals in half of the United States. Our goal is to expand upon these numbers and we need your help!
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
DF: I was in and out of the hospital for various medical conditions, so I personally know how scary a hospital can be, especially for younger children. At one visit I was given a stuffed animal. It helped to comfort me and soothed my fears. Afterwards, I found out that I was given the last of the stuffed animals, which the nurses donated themselves. I knew that the need for comforting children in the hospitals will never end, so I decided to give back to the community and Operation Noah began.
MM: Does your project have a start and end date, if so what are they?
DF: Our project does not have an official start and/or end date. There are numerous collection drives going on across the United States at any given time, so send us an e-mail and we can let you know the best way you can help
MM: Anything else we need to know about your Mitzvah Project?
DF: We are always trying to expand our organization; so if you are interested in donating stuffed animals or starting your own chapter/collection drive, please let us know!
MM: How can our readers get more information?
DF: For more information, please visit the Operation Noah website or e-mail us at OperationNoah@cox.net
September 15th, 2009
Gabrielle Aaron tells us that becoming a Bat Mitzvah means becoming a woman and not only thinking about yourself all the time. It means helping others in your community because you want to. She decided to take a portion of her Bat Mitzvah gift money and buy a piece of playground equipment for Sunrise Day Camp. (The Aaron Family left at playground dedication ceremony).
Gabrielle chose to share her gift money with Sunrise Day Camp because it is special; it is the only day camp in the nation designed for children with cancer. The camps’ programs strive to meet the emotional, social, recreational and physical needs of the children who attend while allowing them to enjoy the comforts and safety of their own homes at night. The camp is situated on the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds, a 300-acre wooded site that borders Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island. Gabielle tells us in her own words about her project:
I am a kid and I am very fortunate for my good health, and these kids are not as fortunate as I am. I tried to think of what it would be like if I had to miss all my childhood and spend it in a hospital. I was not capable of feeling anything close to what they felt. So I decided to find a place where kids with cancer and life-threatening illnesses can get away and just be a kid. That is how I found Sunrise Day Camp. Sunrise is an amazing place where kids can be kids and all worries seem to disappear.
For Gabrielle’s Mitzvah Project, she took $5,000 and donated it to the Camp so they could purchase a slide for their playground. She also visited Sunrise and planted flowers. Gabrielle and her family recently held a large cocktail party for friends and family who wanted to get involved with Sunrise Day Camp. And Gabrielle plans on working at the Camp in the summer of 2010 as a non-profit counselor. Her goal will always be to help kids.
Gabrielle Aaron with Arnie Preminger, CEO of Friedberg JCC and Sunrise Day Camp
It would be great for other kids to get involved because most kids at my age take their good health for granted and don’t understand the effects of having cancer at such a young age. When you see these kids you would never think that they have cancer, they smile as we do and laugh. But they are only able to do this because they have such a great place where there is nothing to worry about for the summer.
Summer Fun at Sunrise Day Camp
What a great Project and an amazing organization! Thank you, Gabrielle, for sharing your story with our readers. If you are interested in creating a Mitzvah project with Sunrise Day Camp, please contact Amy Pilott, Team Sunrise Director at 516-766-4341 x:161.
September 15th, 2009
Sarah Brotman of Columbia, SC, is giving of herself – literally – for her Mitzvah Project. She is donating her hair, and is encouraging others to do the same.
Sarah has organized a hair collection for those in need of hair due to a medical condition or medical treatment such as chemotherapy. The Hair Donation Extravaganza will take place on Sat., March 7th, 2009 from 9 am to 3 pm at the Wella Professionals School in Columbia, SC. The organizations benefiting from the Extravaganza are Wigs For Kids and Pantene Beautiful Lengths.
The Wella school has agreed to cut and style everyone’s hair at no cost when you donate your tresses. To donate to Wigs For Kids, you need at least 12 inches and to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, you need at least 8 inches of untreated hair.
Sarah tells us, in her own words, why she decided on this particular Mitzvah project and what she hopes to accomplish:
I chose this project because I have lost a few friends to cancer before, and I figured that I should help the cause. I want women and children to feel good about themselves and I love to do Mitzvot! I have already donated my hair once, and felt great about it. Knowing that I was helping somebody to feel good about themselves, was my favorite part of the experience.
Thanks to somebody who donated their hair, my Grandmother got a wig, which lifted her self confidence from 1 to 100. Since I know how it feels to be defeated by cancer, I feel we should show cancer that we can defeat it. By giving people confidence, it enables them to have a more positive outlook.
Doing a Mitzvah Project for my Bat Mitzvah means that I can show I am becoming a woman, instead of just pretending. I want to be different by showing that I am serious about my commitment to Judaism. I plan on being serious about my commitment by doing something that is special to me.
Thank you, Sarah! Let the cutting begin!
September 15th, 2009
Alyssa Fischer of Matthews, NC, likes to swim. She is aware, however, that not everyone is as fortunate as she is; they might not have proper swimming gear like goggles, kick boards or even a bathing suit. So, Alyssa thought she’d do something about it and created a charitable organization called fins for swims.
Alyssa tells us, in her own words, what her organization is all about and what she hopes to accomplish:
I created fins for swims which is an organization that collects used and new swim equipment to distribute to minority swim programs and at-risk children. I want to give these kids the opportunity to grow to their full potential through the world of competitive swimming. I started the project and solicited the backing of some Olympic swimmers who were very happy to jump in and help. I am hoping that kids around the country want to start a fins for swimscollection site in their area to make it grow. I have several adults and other organizations that want to work with me and partner to make it grow.
Several organizations and groups throughout the country will benefit from my project. In each city or state where a fins for swims collection site is set up, local groups will be the recipients of the equipment. Some of the groups include Diversity in Aquatics, The Swimstrong Foundation and Make a Splash, part of USA Swimming. But I hope that many local underprivileged swim programs in neighborhoods and Y’s or J’s will benefit.
I have a few organizations that are helping me and spreading the word. Diversity in Aquatics and The Swimstrong Foundation are two examples. I could always use more people to help get a program started in their community. I have had interest in starting collection sites in FL, NC, NY, VA and NJ. I have requests for equipment from as faraway as theDominican Republic .
Want to dive in? Visit the fins for swims Website to learn more, including how to set up a collection site or where you can send new or used swim equipment. And best wishes to Alyssa, whose Bat Mitzvah is only days away!
