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IV. Finding Mitzvah Heroes V. Individual and Anonymous Support VI. The Grandeur of Our Elders' Faces - Hiddur P'nai Zaken

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IV. Finding Mitzvah Heroes

THE ZIV GIRAFFE CURRICULUM
None of the people involved in the writing of the new Ziv Giraffe Tikun Olam curriculum could have imagined what the response would be to its publication. It was almost two years ago when we told you about the grant that Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation gave to us and our friends at the Giraffe Project to write a curriculum which could be used by Jewish day schools, supplementary schools, camps and youth groups. What was just an idea then, has become reality. Published and introduced last August, the curriculum has been greeted with tremendous enthusiasm. Within 6 months, over 260 institutions have ordered and implemented this program. We believe that it is the best way to teach kids "what they want to be" when they grow up. The curriculum, text-based and supplemented with clips from secular films, includes the profiles of ordinary people who have "made a difference" in their lives. Kids studying it will encounter Mitzvah heroes and Giraffes and ask themselves, "Why can't I do that?" If you would like more information about the curriculum, contact Naomi, our Administrator.

A. THE GIRAFFE PROJECT ($250)
We have a longstanding relationship with Ann Medlock, John Graham, and the Giraffe Project. We share many goals - one of them being the search for people who are making a difference in the world. The Giraffes look for people who "stick their necks out for the common good" and who encounter some element of risk to themselves in their Mitzvah work. This qualifies them for the title "Giraffe." Once these people are found, The Giraffe Project publicizes their work in its own newsletter as well as in national publications. The Giraffes are also involved in developing character education curricula used in public schools. Our donation purchased materials which we disseminate at programs throughout the country.

[The Giraffe Project, 197 Second St., POB 759, Langley, WA 98260, Attn: Ann Medlock, 360-221-7989, fax: 221-7817, e-mail: office@giraffe.org, Website: www.giraffe.org/giraffe/.]

B. THE CARING INSTITUTE ($500)
Like the Giraffe Project, The Caring Institute publicizes the efforts of ordinary people doing extraordinary things for Tikkun Olam, Fixing the World. Every November they hold a ceremony recognizing 10 adults and several children who have done just that. Some of Ziv's Mitzvah heroes, Ranya Kelly, Ann Medlock, Grandma Edie Lewis, to name only a few, have been recognized by The Caring Institute. Their magazine, Caring People, is a wonderful example of some of the very best of humanity. Our donation purchased teaching materials which we distribute at our talks.

[The Caring Institute, 513 C St. NE, Washington, DC 20002, Attn: Val Halamandaris, 202-547-4273, fax: 547-4510, e-mail: inquiries@caring-institute.org or Alana Calfee at acalfee@caring-institute.org, Website: www.caring-institute.org.]

V. Individual and Anonymous Support ($10,500)

Aside from the programs listed here, Ziv is involved in a very quiet way in anonymous support for many individuals. At times, we may appoint an individual to be our Mitzvah Agent. The agent quickly and anonymously answers a need that has come to our attention, including situations of Pikuach Nefesh, Saving Lives. One such recent example is providing funds for escape and safe haven of individuals in a war-torn area of the world. All records for these very human situations are on file with us in New Jersey.

VI. The Grandeur of Our Elders' Faces - Hiddur P'nai Zaken

A. GROWING OLD ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE - PROJECT EZRA ($38,000)
We always look forward to hearing from Misha Avramoff, the gentle director of Project Ezra on New York's Lower East Side. He has an amazing love for the many elderly Jews who continue to live in poverty in this once-bustling center of Jewish life. For many of Project Ezra's people, Misha and his staff of dedicated workers and volunteers are all that they have. They may be the sole survivor in a family or, perhaps, their family has scattered to other parts of the country. Project Ezra's efforts are vast. The only hot food many will eat is the daily meal which is either delivered to their homes or served at the local center. The food pantry at the local synagogue is also vital to the community. At Passover, it provides the standard fare, be it Matzah, gefilte fish, or other items. Much of our donation provides for home health care - a critical ingredient which allows many Elders to remain living independently at home rather than be forced into a nursing facility. This year, our funding was also used to provide for the special Mitzvah of Kevurat HaMayt-providing a dignified burial. Misha recently shared with us his frustration at not being able to provide a decent gravestone for many of the Elders, and some of our funds will be dedicated to that most sacred purpose. For anyone who is on the Lower East Side for a visit, we strongly recommend a stop at Project Ezra. It is Holy Work they are doing.

[Project Ezra, 197 E. Broadway, NY, NY 10002, Attn: Misha Avramoff, 212-982-3700, fax: 677-9134, e-mail: projectezra@juno.com, Website: www.assist-net.com/Project_Ezra.]

B. HATZILU ($1,500)
As government cutbacks continue to impact services to poor, elderly Jews in the Bronx, Brooklyn and parts of Long Island, Hatzilu's work has become even more essential. Their volunteers make a critical difference to many, many people.

[Hatzilu, 3500 Steven Rd., Baldwin, NY 11510, Attn: Al Nevins, 516-868-6836.]

Dorot is also a fine project providing for the varied needs of the Jewish Elders on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Among other things, their program offers meals, homelessness prevention, and a wonderful University Without Walls.

[DOROT, 171 W. 85th St., NY, NY 10024, Attn: Vivian Fenster Ehrlich, Executive Director, or Judy Ribnick, 212-769-2850, fax: 212-769-4989, e-mail: DOROT-USA@msn.com.]

C. MYRIAM'S DREAM ($10,000)
We have always believed that the late Myriam Mendilow was a true visionary. She was among the first to recognize the very valuable contributions that our Elders can make to society, and she devoted her life to providing them with meaningful activities. Linda Kantor and the volunteers who work with her at Myriam's Dream are fulfilling Myriam's vision. They provide funding for more than a dozen programs throughout Israel, Eastern Europe, South Africa, and the United States. All of these projects recognize the importance of keeping the Elders involved in meaningful work, and Myriam's Dream sells many beautiful products made by these experienced hands. Call them if you would like to purchase beautiful Kipot or a whimsical Tzedakah box - two of their very popular items. One of the better-known programs that the group supports is a bookbindery in southern New Jersey. If your congregation is looking for a place to send their tattered Siddurim for repair, call Linda. The Elders at the bookbindery offer loving and gentle hands for this sacred task.

[Myriam's Dream, Linda Kantor, President, 52 Wellington Dr., Orange, CT 06477, 203-795-4580, fax: 795-3291, e-mail: lskantor@snet.net. Contributions: Myriam's Dream, Inc., 42 York Dr., New City, NY 10956, Attn: Joyce Malakoff.]

An important note: In response to some confusion which has come to our attention, we want to stress that Myriam's Dream and Life Line for the Old are two separate and distinct organizations. We remind you, as we have in the past, that donations to Life Line for the Old should be made directly through PEF-Israel Endowments, Inc. (See section II:A, above. Indicate that the contribution is recommended for Life Line for the Old in Jerusalem.) Further information about Life Line may be obtained through Alice Weinstein in Cleveland, 216-561-8403.

D. THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON FOLKS AND THE ELDERS ($500)*
In late February I visited Stanly Manor Nursing Home near Charlotte, NC. Aside from its reputation as a fabulous nursing home, it became famous when the residents decided to invite the local bikers to the home for parties. While the one we threw was not a full-fledged bash, it was a most eye-opening and uplifting experience. Grand, just grand, and highly recommended for other nursing homes. Contact Stanly Manor about how to do it. Our donation was used for building an aviary for the home.

[Stanly Manor Nursing Home, Inc. 625 Bethany Rd., Albemarle, NC 28001, 704-982-0770, e-mail: lmoose@ctc.net, Attn: Beth Huber or Robin Moose.]

Furthermore, if you would like additional wonderful programming ideas for nursing home residents, contact Neila Houghton-Daggett in New Hampshire at 603-487-3384 (h).

E. CREATIVE SOLUTIONS ($750)
Kathy Freund came up with the idea of the Independent Transportation Network (ITN) after her son was seriously injured in a car accident involving an elderly driver. Many of us know the difficulty we encounter when convincing an elderly relative who might not be a safe driver to give up his or her license. With a system such as ITN in place, (mostly) volunteer drivers transport Elders to the market, doctor, hairdresser, wherever they need to go, all for a very nominal fee. A central dispatch office makes all of the arrangements. We were able to visit ITN's original site in Portland, Maine, this year and are happy to report that it is expanding to other cities in Maine as well as throughout the country.

[Independent Transportation Network, 309 Cumberland Ave., Portland, ME 04101, Attn: Kathy Freund, toll-free phone: 800-764-3486 or 207-828-8608, fax: 207-772-2204, e-mail: kfreund@itninc.org.]

TEACHING COMPUTERS TO ELDERS
If you would like to learn how to establish a program to teach computers to our Elders, contact Elyse Bell in Chicago: 708-799-7650 (w), 708-957-2338 (h), e-mail: ekb233@aol.com.

F. MAKE A CALL, SAVE A LIFE ($2,500)
We so enjoy our annual visit to Yitav 109, based in Jerusalem's Shaare Tzedek Hospital. It is always an affirmation of the importance of personal contact in the fight against loneliness. Our friends, Chaim Vigolik and David Zahavi, have set up a program whereby over 1,250 of Jerusalem's Elders simply dial "109" six mornings each week and connect with a volunteer to say, "Shalom...all is well." The volunteers, most of them Elders themselves, have saved many lives just by preventing the unrelenting loneliness that goes along with aging. Another feature of their fine work is a program which teams up high school students with these same lonely Elders.

[Yitav 109 c/o Shaare Tzedek Hospital, POB 1499, Jerusalem, Attn: Chaim Vigolik, phone/fax: 02-651-2498.]

G. MORE DREAMS - ELDERQUEST ($500)*
We recently learned of another program that responds to the needs of Elders living in nursing homes. Sara Wolfson, a registered nurse at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home in Omaha, was inspired by some of the programs that Ziv has publicized and supported in this critical area. Her goal is simple and straightforward: to provide for the special wishes of residents in nursing homes in the Omaha area. Our donation provided for some of the start-up costs she has incurred. A fine idea for anyone to pursue. (See also section II:E, Second Wind Dreams.)

[Elderquest, Sara Wolfson, 2104 South 110th Street, Omaha, NE 68144, 402-391-8013, e-mail: dwolfson@uswest.net.]

H. DR MARTIN KIESELSTEIN ($4,850)
We have known of Dr. Kieselstein's quiet work on behalf of Jerusalem's Elders for many years. His gentle and unassuming manner in caring for many chronically ill people is Yiddishkeit and Menschlichkeit at its finest.

[HaAguda LeEzra VeIddud VeShikum Keshishim VeCholim Birushalayim, 6 Rabbi Binyamin St., Jerusalem, Attn: Dr. Martin Kieselstein, phone: 02-652-3471, cellular phone: 050-508-495.]

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