XVI. Mitzvah Locksmiths XVII. Refuah Shelaymah: Recovery from Illness XVIII. Interest-Free Loans, Free Legal Services, and Free Medical Services

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XVI. Mitzvah Locksmiths

A. SAMANTHA ABEEL ($2,603.96)
When we discovered an interesting news article a few year ago, we never realized how momentous this particular story would be. The article related the life of a young girl with a learning disability called dyscalculia - a complete inability to deal with numbers, time, and sequences. Until we met Samantha we could not grasp the full extent of this disability. Other than the obvious horrors such as sitting in a math class, think about the many ways that numbers impact our lives. Telling time, reading prices in the supermarket, understanding travel schedules and gate numbers at airports are but a very few. Samantha has taught us so, so much. Once you read her book, Reach For The Moon, or see the video with the same title, you will understand how someone can overcome his or her disability and soar with newly-discovered talents. Our funds were used to purchase copies of Samantha's book and place them where they will can inspire and benefit people with similar disabilities. We are overwhelmed by the impact Sam's story has on our readers and those who hear my talks. It is so very evident that learning disabilities affect untold numbers of people (your Chairman, not the least of them). Samantha is also available for lectures. Contact Elizabeth Abeel at 616-947-2058 or by e-mail: zabenox@traverse.com. Samantha's book is available at bookstores or from the publisher, Pfeifer-Hamilton, 800-247-6789, fax: 218-727-0505.

B. A NEW APPROACH TO NATURE - REBECCA REYNOLDS ($5,946.90)
Rebecca Reynolds has written an amazing book that explains Nature's powerful benefits when the outside world is brought to closed-care institutions, and residential or medical settings. When the senses of someone living in a hospital or nursing home are exposed to, perhaps, some seaweed, a bird's nest, or an animal, miracles can occur. Doors to the past can open and strong memories flood out. Often, the result is a new perspective on what has become a lonely and painful existence. We have contributed to Rebecca's program by purchasing her book, Bring Me The Ocean, (VanderWyk and Burnham, 978-263-5906) and distributing it at our talks. We also gave direct support to her work, and facilitated the transition to making this a full-time endeavor for her.

[Rebecca Reynolds, Seabury School, Inc., POB 155, Concord, MA 01742, 978-369-2585, e-mail: aaiseabury@aol.com or rreynolds4@aol.com.]

XVII. Refuah Shelaymah: Recovery from Illness

A. GIFT OF LIFE - JAY FEINBERG AND BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS ($6,000)
Jack, Arlene and Jay Feinberg are fine examples of people who, when faced with a crisis, mobilized their strengths and talents to conquer that crisis. With Jay's diagnosis of leukemia several years ago, the Feinbergs rallied by organizing bone marrow testing drives throughout the world, offering support and advice to others in need of transplants, and establishing a first-class registry for Jewish donors. Even though Jay had not found his own match, and many other matches were found, they never stopped their work. Finally, in 1995, Jay found his match, and today he and his family continue their phenomenal work with the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Registry. So many families have received comfort and support because of their unselfish efforts, and over the years more than 100 individuals have found appropriate donors. Truly Tzaddikim.

Part of our donation was used to pay for installation of a Frame Relay Line, which allows immediate and 24-hour access to the registry's files and online Patient Management System.

[Gift of Life Foundation (Friends of Jay Feinberg), c/o Arlene and Jack Feinberg, 4740 Yardarm Lane, Boynton Beach, FL 33436, 800-9-MARROW (962-7769), fax: 800-707-5343, e-mail: info@giftoflife.com, Website: www.giftoflife.com.]

We also donated ($250)* to the bone marrow drive conducted for young Travis Yon, a five year old diagnosed with leukemia. Travis received his transplant several months ago and is recuperating at home.

B. SCOTT FRIED ($1,300)*
Scott Fried has devoted his life to bringing the message of living in the age of AIDS to adults and children throughout this country and in Israel. Scott, himself HIV-positive, is a highly motivating speaker whose message has gone out to innumerable camps, high schools, synagogues, community centers, colleges and Jewish organizations. Our donation allowed him to speak before several college-age groups in Israel.

[Scott Fried, P.O. Box 112, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113, phone: 212-465-2646, e-mail: ALKAIDS@aol.com.]

C. WELCOME BACK ($159)
Two years ago, we learned of the work being done by Jane Kemp and her "Welcome Back" project. Jane, a hairstylist, frequently works with individuals who are experiencing the trauma of hair loss due to chemotherapy or radiation and who know from personal experience the problems that occur. "Welcome Back" encourages hairstylists to offer three free sessions to people experiencing this trauma. With flattering and professional haircutting, along with a "sensitive ear" to the heartbreak of the loss, cancer patients can learn to feel good about themselves, once again. A fine, fine example of using one's talents to do Mitzvahs, Jane is hoping to make this a national project.

[Jane Kemp, c/o Welcome Back, 1815a 4th St., Berkeley, CA 94710, phone: 510-849-0306. Direct donations made out to "Women's Cancer Resource Center."]

D. FISHING FOR FUN ($250)
Corporate America has done its share in the battle against cancer, as well. Orvis, the fishing equipment manufacturer, has started a program called Casting for Recovery. It is, again, a very simple idea. The motions used in fly-fishing are very helpful to women who have undergone breast surgery. By spending a weekend fly-fishing at a retreat with other survivors of breast cancer, the participants have an opportunity to help themselves both physically and emotionally. This year, Casting For Recovery will hold ten sessions across the country. Call them for further details. Our donation was used for scholarships for women to attend the retreats.

[Casting for Recovery, 144 Powderhorn Road, Manchester Center, VT 05255, Attn: Jennifer Winder, toll-free phone: 888-553-3500, 802-362-3525, e-mail: cfrprogram@aol.com, Website: http://www.ziv.org/CFR/index.html.]

We would also like to remind you of other important ways the devastating effects of cancer can be conquered. We have read of many efforts across the country to collect and distribute baseball caps to children who have lost their hair because of their treatments. The caps range from hand-decorated creations to donations of thousands from companies, sports teams, and other organizations.

Even further evidence of Mitzvah creativity in this area is the proliferation of camps for kids with life-threatening illnesses. Our friend, Aley Sheer, runs Camp Fiesta in Florida (305-932-9010 [w], 954-433-5161 [h]) and the actor, Paul Newman, sponsors the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut.

E. A PLACE TO STAY ($100)
Word of the work of The Hospitality Program in Boston is spreading to other communities across the country. The founders of this project have gathered over 150 host-households in the Boston area who open their homes to people who must accompany a relative to critical medical care in the area. Frequently, a long stay is necessary and hotel costs can be prohibitive. (This program charges only $20 a night.) The hosts provide a warm place to stay and frequently become on-the-spot support for the families, all for a minimal cost.

[Ms. Lisa Tener, c/o The Hospitality Program, 138 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02111, 617-482-4338, fax: 482-8431.]

Boston also has its own Jewish hospitality network - ROFEH- established by the Bostoner Rebbi, that provides its services free of charge to the Jewish community. For information, call 617-734-5100, e-mail: rofeh@world.std.com.

F. LOCKS OF LOVE ($1,209.44)
Children are often the victims of permanent hair loss and its consequences can be devastating. (Permanent hair loss can be the result of burns, an injury or a medical condition known as alopecia.) Lack of self-confidence and peer discrimination will seriously affect these youngsters' lives. Enter Peggy Knight. At a young age, Peggy learned, first-hand, the trauma this causes. Her project, Locks of Love, provides beautiful natural wigs for those children whose family cannot afford one. The source of the hair is the thousands of people who have donated to Locks of Love a minimum of 10" of their own hair. Many more have responded to the news features publicizing her work.

In addition, Donni Engelhart, a friend in Chicago, has told us about another aspect of this Mitzvah. In honor of his Bar Mitzvah, Donni asked his guests to donate used wigs which were given to a local cancer organization and ultimately donated to women who had lost their hair due to cancer treatment. A fine project for anyone interested in the higher aspects of Kevod HaBriot, the dignity due to human beings. Contact Donni at 773-588-5024 or e-mail: engelhrt@mcs.com for more information.

XVIII. Interest-Free Loans, Free Legal Services, and Free Medical Services

A. INTEREST-FREE LOANS
One of the most effective Tzedakah methods for providing both immediate and long-term relief is interest-free loans. The Mitzvah is stated in Exodus 22:24 and has been in practice for centuries. Ziv is a member of the IAHFL, The International Association of Hebrew Free Loans. Contact Bernard Granor, President of the IAHFL, to find out if you have a local group, and, if there is none in your community, ask how you can establish one: 215-830-1100 X 207, bgranor@aol.com, Website: www.freeloan.org. We support two free-loan programs, one in this country and one in Israel.

1. THE ISRAEL FREE LOAN ASSOCIATION-IFLA ($1,360)
Dr. Eliezer Jaffe is our resident expert on Israeli grassroots social service programs. He is also the founder of this life-saving free-loan program started in 1990. IFLA directs its efforts toward the burgeoning immigrant population in Israel, to families with a disabled child, and offers loans to non-profit organizations for special projects. The statistics say it all: We have donated a total of $22,750 to IFLA. This has since resulted - by the money being recirculated when it is paid back - in 154 loans, and a grand total of $125,850 in Mitzvah money. The return on our investment? 553%! The numbers say it all - a fine Mitzvah!

[Our contact: Dr. Eliezer Jaffe, 37 Azza St., Jerusalem, Israel, home phone: 02-563-7450, e-mail: mselijaf@pluto.mscc.huji.ac.il, Website: www.freeloan.org.il. IFLA: 64 Azza St., POB 4579, 02-563-0248, fax: 566-9504. Tax-deductible contributions through PEF-Israel Endowments. See Section II:A above.]

2. PHILADELPHIA ($600)
Bernard and Marie Granor (he is president of the international program) have instituted a free-loan program in their synagogue in Dresher, PA. A fine model for other congregations interested in starting their own.

[Hebrew Free Loan Society of Beth Sholom Congregation, 12 Powers Place, Dresher, PA 19025, Attn: Bernard and Marie Granor, 215-885-2843, fax: 830-8599, e-mail: bernard@granorprice.com.]

B. FREE MEDICAL SERVICES AND MORE ($1,000)
The work of the Jewish Renaissance Foundation in New Jersey came to our attention a few years ago. Originally devoted to providing free medical care to the more than 1,300,000 people in New Jersey who have no health insurance, Alan Goldsmith's organization has grown in wonderful ways. Their efforts now include programs that provide healthcare in developing countries, transitional housing for victims of domestic violence, a Jewish special education program for teens with disabilities (which includes a therapeutic horseback riding program), and finally, a Jewish community development program whose aim is to revitalize aging Jewish communities in New Jersey. Our donation provides subsidies for the therapeutic riding program.

[Jewish Renaissance Foundation, POB 2506, 149 Kearny Ave. Perth Amboy, NJ 08862, Attn: Dr. Alan Goldsmith, 800-954-3080, 732-324-2114, fax: 324-0256, Website: www.jrfmed.org.]

We first learned of this type of project from David Pomeranz, who founded the Boston Jewish Medically Uninsured Project (BJMUP). We encourage you to contact David to learn how to organize a similar project in your own community: 617-893-4610 x 1373 (w), fax: 617-893-8009, e-mail: dpomeranz@mms.org.

[For information on present BJMUP activities, contact Ruth Gold, Project Coordinator, c/o Jewish Family & Children's Service; 1340 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02159, phone: 617-558-1278, fax: 558-5250, e-mail: rgold@jfcsboston.org, Website: http://world.std.com/~yi/brookline/david.html.]

C. JEWISH FREE LEGAL SERVICES
We continue to stress the importance of free legal services for people who cannot afford to pay for such services. In particular, housing or family legal issues can be problematic for people living in poverty. We are familiar with several free-standing agencies that provide vital legal services on a pro-bono basis. They are named, most appropriately, Bet Tzedek, "The Place Where Tzedek/Justice Happens."

We suggest that you call Joy Rothenberg at 513-984-6768, e-mail: jhr@unidial.com to learn more about starting a Bet Tzedek in your own community.

Current Bet Tzedek programs are:
1. Bet Tzedek, 145 S. Fairfax Ave., #200, Los Angeles, CA 90036, Attn: Gina Lobaco, 213-939-0506, fax: 939-1040, Website: www.comquest.com/bet-tzedek/.

2. Bet Tzedek of Boston, c/o Jewish Family and Children's Services, 1340 Centre St., Newton, MA 02159, Attn: Ruth Gold, 617-558-1278, fax: 558-5250, e-mail: rgold@jfcsboston.org.

3. Cardozo Bet Tzedek Legal Services representing elders and disabled individuals, contact Toby Golick, 55 5th Ave., NY, NY 10003, 212-790-0240, fax: 790-0256.

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