XIX. Three Special Aspects of Our Work: Ziv's Interns, Israel Resource Persons, and Administrator XX. Two Announcements XXI. Financial Statement XXII. A Brief Message from the Chairman

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XIX. Three Special Aspects of Our Work: Ziv's Interns, Israel Resource Persons, and Administrator

A. THE ZIV SUMMER INTERNS ($3,772)
This past summer Miriam Heller and Ilan Glazer joined us in Israel as official Ziv interns. What a pleasure it was to have them work with us! Their insights into Mitzvah work and Tzedakah, as well as their fine understanding of, and breakthroughs in, the traditional texts we studied made our six weeks together very special. As we visited our Mitzvah Heroes with the 500 teenagers from the United Synagogue Youth Pilgrimage program, we were touched by the ways in which they, themselves, were able to become Mitzvah Teachers, delivering Ziv's message to these young adults. Yishar Kocham, all the more strength to them.

Funding for the following two items - our Agents and Administrator - is raised separately, and is not part of the budget for allocations to your Tzedakah projects.

B. ARNIE DRAIMAN - OUR MAN IN JERUSALEM ($6,400)
So much of what we do in Israel is dependent upon the fine touch of Arnie Draiman, our Israel agent. With the help of modern technology, Arnie's e-mails keep us apprised on a daily basis of all that is happening to our Mitzvah heroes in the Holy Land. He has also become a very important link for us when many of you plan a trip to Israel, asking us about personal visits to the Heroes or possibly bringing much-needed supplies to them. One of the highlights of such an arrangement was the recent visit of over 400 people from Houston. Before leaving the States, they were able to collect many, many boxes of supplies that were distributed to our Heroes in Israel through the efforts of Arnie and Miriam Heller, a 1997 and 1998 summer intern who remained in Israel for the year. Yishar Koach to him for all that he does on behalf of Tikun Olam.

We were most fortunate that Miriam Heller was spending the year in Israel, after interning for her second summer with us. She became the Assistant to the Ziv Agent for the year (at a salary of $1,500) and did incredible amounts of work on our behalf. Yishar Koach to her for her contribution to Ziv's successful year.

C. ZIV'S ADMINISTRATOR AND RESOURCE PERSON, NAOMI EISENBERGER ($22,606.44)
We are most fortunate. Naomi's abilities, breadth and depth of talents, and vigor are so striking and beneficial to Ziv, it is a source of constant amazement to me as we work day-to-day. (Sometimes we are on the phone a dozen times, and e-mails in a given week exceed 100.) Ziv has grown so much, there is simply no way I could have carried on the work without her astonishing efforts, which now include writing the great percentage of this ever-growing annual report. Yishar Koach to her, the not-so-secret "secret" to Ziv's success.

XX. Two Announcements

A. EXPANDING OUR NETWORK OF DONATIONS
We ask that you join us in our efforts to make accountants, attorneys, insurance agents, and financial planners aware of our work. We are convinced that they have clients, potential Ziv donors, who are looking precisely for the kind of work that we do. We need more of you to spread the word. Naomi will supply copies of a letter of explanation and our Annual Report to share with these key people.

B. WISH LIST
Most needed of all - someone to find the appropriate funding to cover salaries. We manage, but it is the most worrisome part of my job as chairman. Anyone who has connections and can figure this out for us - please do so. I would be very grateful. Some organizations do manage to get this kind of funding.

XXI. Financial Statement

A reminder from last year: While reviewing our financial statement, please take into account the following aspects of our philosophy of Tzedakah: (1) The question of overhead and administrative and fundraising expenses is one that should concern all of us. (2) As stated above, we take absolutely no money for Naomi's, Arnie's, and Miriam's salaries and associated benefits and taxes from our regular donations. Furthermore, their work is only partially administrative. (3) In addition, the costs associated with printing and distributing our Annual Report and November Update are as much a part of the educational aspect of our work as they are a method of soliciting donations. They are the only mailings we do, and we consider them essentially a guide to Tzedakah projects as well as an opportunity for personal involvement.

XXII. A Brief Message from the Chairman
Maimonides says it best: No one ever becomes poor from doing Tzedakah. (Hilchot Matnot Ani'im 10:2) We are all very wealthy indeed. It is a privilege to be your Mitzvah Messenger. The feeling cannot really be put into words. Know that I am grateful for this most unique opportunity.

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