VII. Projects Concerning Victims of Domestic Violence VIII. The First Principle of Tzedakah: Providing for Near-Poor, Poor, and Desperately Poor People

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VII. Projects Concerning Victims of Domestic Violence

The problems associated with domestic violence have not diminished. More and more news items are devoted to its tragic results. Within the Jewish community, domestic violence, long ignored, is now beginning to be addressed. As we travel through the country we are moved (as well as saddened) by the growing number of Jewish shelters and organizations that are dealing with this issue. We remind everyone of the importance of posting the phone number of the local domestic violence hotline in the bathroom stalls of every synagogue or Jewish communal agency. It simply must be done. We support the work of five programs:

A. EMPTY HOTEL ROOMS - PROJECT DEBBY ($3,000)
Yet another of our heroes who has used her talents to do Mitzvahs, Debby Berman-Potash was employed in the hotel industry when she read about a local domestic violence shelter turning away victims because of lack of available space. Knowing that many hotels have rooms going unused night after night, Debby came up with the idea of using those rooms to house and protect these victims when local shelters are full. Today, Debby has hundreds of hotels in several major cities who have signed on in this terrible fight. Her goal is to make the program available in every city in the country.

[Naomi Berman-Potash, Project Debby, Inc., 11456 N. Solar Avenue, Mequon, WI 53097, 414-242-4347, Fax: 240-0466.]

B. ISRAEL'S COUNSELING CENTER FOR WOMEN ($5,600)
Our friend Bella Savran introduced us to the work of this fine group operating in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The Center works with women and their children who are victims of domestic violence. We are aware of the stories of many individuals who have been guided by their counselors and we are moved that our donation can be so effective in improving the lives of these families.

[Counseling Center for Women-vatk .ugh zfrn, 8 Herzl St., Ramat Gan, 52431 Attn: Emily Levy-Shochat, phone: 03-673-9006, fax: 673-9032, e-mail: ccw@netvision.net.il. Our contact in Jerusalem: Bella Savran, phone: 02-673-3827, fax: 02-673-5382, e-mail: msgeorge@pluto.mscc.huji.ac.il.]

C. SHALVA - CHICAGO ($1,000)
This fine program provides a warm, caring, array of services for Jewish victims of domestic violence in the Chicago area. The meaning of the Hebrew word, "Shalva" is "peace of mind," a perfect description of their purpose and work.

[Shalva, 1610 W. Highland, #9, Chicago, IL 60660, Attn: Ms. Hedvah Campeas-Cohen, 773-583-HOPE.]

D. CHANA-BALTIMORE ($100)
CHANA, (Counseling, Helpline, and Aid Network for Abused Women) provides caring support, including a shelter, for Baltimore's victims of domestic violence. Call them to learn about setting up a shelter in your own community.

[CHANA, 101 W. Mt. Royal Ave., Baltimore, MD 21201, Attn: Shelly L. Hettleman, 410-234-0030, Helpline: 410-234-0023, fax: 576-9388, e-mail: chana@jcfb.org.]

E. THE JERUSALEM SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN ($500)
Sadly, Israeli newspapers continue to report a growing number of domestic violence incidents. From the Negev to Haifa, there is an ever-expanding network of shelters that are meeting the needs of these women. Our support has gone to the very fine program in Jerusalem.

[Jerusalem Shelter for Battered Women, POB 10403, Jerusalem, Attn: Rachel Hadari, phone: 02-671-7581 or 671-8133, cellular phone: 054-275-071, fax: 02-671-7386. Checks written to "Woman to Woman," or through The New Israel Fund, 165 E. 56th St., NY, NY 10022, 212-750-2333, Memo: Jerusalem Shelter for Battered Women.]

Please note: Dr. George Brennan's Domestic Violence Project has mustered hundreds of cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons around the country to do reconstructive surgery free of charge for victims of domestic violence. Call 1-800-332-FACE for information.

VIII. The First Principle of Tzedakah: Providing for Near-Poor, Poor, and Desperately Poor People

According to the "feel" of the economy both here and in Israel, these are Good Times. Things are stable, people are comfortable, the overall numbers are encouraging. However, the studies and statistics about poor people in both countries is shocking. In Israel, the number of poor people, particularly children, is growing. Some of the discouraging statistics in our country include: (a) Nearly 35 million Americans live in hungry or "food-insecure" households, (b) requests for emergency food assistance rose 16% in 1997, the highest rate of increase since 1992, and (c) 26 million Americans received food from food banks last year. (From the Website: www.powernet.net/~sma/hri/hunger.html.) Changes in government policies are critical. Here, from our perspective, are some of the people waging their own war on hunger, poverty, and homelessness.

A. FEEDING HUNGRY PEOPLE

1. SOME MORE CHICKEN SOUP ($2,500)
Her face shines with an incredible radiance. Tova Cohen is definitely an extraordinary woman. Every Wednesday you can find her in her tiny kitchen - Tova's Kitchen - preparing a complete hot meal for a small group of people from the poor Bukharan neighborhood. For many, it will be the only hot meal they enjoy all week. Such soup! Filled with crunchy carrots and crisp rice, it is the best. Tova and her small band of helpers never fail to serve the group with love and dignity.

[Tova Cohen, 26 Yosef Caro St., Jerusalem, 02-582-2879. The synagogue is at #33.]

2. THE CHICKEN LADY OF JERUSALEM ($1,000)
Shabbat is meant to be a special day. We are taught that our table should be set with the best white tablecloth, candles aglow, and savory soup and chicken for everyone. There are many families in Jerusalem for whom this picture is nothing but fantasy. For more than 110 of those families Clara Hammer, now well into her 80's, and her friend the butcher, Mr. Hacker, are a lifesaver. For many years they have worked together to provide these families with chickens and chopped meat (or vegetarian fare, if wanted) every Friday. Clara's energy is never-ending.

[Clara Hammer, Mishmar HaGvul 4, Ramat Eshkol, Jerusalem, phone: 02-581-6164.]

3. PROVIDING FOOD - PLAIN AND SIMPLE ($20,000)
Joe Lordi is a simple, gentle soul whose only interest is to provide food for hungry people. His Gleaners Food Bank in Youngstown, Ohio, is a lifeline for many of the area's poorest families.

[Youngstown Community Food Center, Inc. and Gleaners Food Bank, POB 3587, Boardman, OH 44513, Attn: Joseph Lordi, 330-746-8436 (food bank), 330-726-9591 (h).]

4. SOUP KITCHEN - COLLEGE STYLE ($250)
We continue to admire the fine work being carried out by the students at New York's Hebrew Union College. Monday evenings are devoted to their soup kitchen, which provides warm, healthy meals to hungry people in the school's cafeteria. The volunteers include not only students, but also faculty and administration as well as visiting youth groups from nearby communities. One highlight of the evening's program is Torah study for the volunteers.

[HUC-JIR Soup Kitchen, c/o Rabbi Aaron Panken, Brookdale Center, 1 W. 4th St., NY, NY 10012, 212-674-5300, e-mail: apanken@huc.edu.]

5. MAZON - A JEWISH RESPONSE TO HUNGER ($180)
We want to remind all of our readers of the work of Mazon, perhaps the premier Jewish organization involved in feeding hungry people. Their simple, but highly effective, program that encourages all of us who are celebrating a Simcha to donate 3% of the cost of the food to Mazon, has allowed them to distribute millions of dollars to feeding programs and education throughout the world. Remember their work when your family celebrates a Simcha - it is the right thing to do.

[MAZON, 12401 Wilshire Blvd., #303, Los Angeles, CA 90025, Attn: Irving Cramer, 310-442-0020, fax: 442-0030, e-mail: mazonmail@aol.com. Website: www.shamash.org/soc-action/mazon/.]

6. CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL OF FREEDOM ($500)
Each year we read in the Passover Haggadah, "Let all who are hungry, come and eat." B'nai B'rith members in the Chesapeake Bay Region have made this commandment a reality by promoting their program, "Project H.O.P.E (= Help Our People Everywhere)." Quite simply, the project allows people to celebrate Passover in the proper way by providing the appropriate food for the holiday.

[B'nai B'rith Project Hope, Attn: Sam Kaplan, c/o B'nai B'rith Chesapeake Bay Region, 1640 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-857-6589.]

7. FAMILY TABLE ($250)
We contributed to Family Table, a Jewish food bank program that provides food to Boston's hungry people. Our gift is directed to buying that most special part of Shabbat, the Shabbat Challah.

[Family Table, Alyson Morse Katzman, Co-ordinator, c/o Congregation Kehillath Israel, 384 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, 617-566-0333, fax: 277-2919.]

B. PREVENTING SENSELESS WASTE: BAL TASHCHIT - SAVING FOOD, SAVING LIVES
The most critical piece of legislation that has had a profound effect on food retrieval is the "Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act" (42 U.S.C. 12672). In essence, the bill has eliminated the problem of liability, one of the primary reasons people will not donate leftover food. Section (c)(1) states: A person or gleaner shall not [my underlining] be subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condition of apparently wholesome food or an apparently fit grocery product that the person or gleaner donates in good faith to a non-profit organization for ultimate distribution to needy individuals. This law is in effect throughout the United States.

1. NATIONAL FOOD RESCUE ($500)
Foodchain is one of a handful of national programs devoted to the rescue and delivery of perishable and prepared food. With 140 community-based member-organizations across the country, Foodchain works full-time trying to solve this country's elusive problem of hunger. Some statistics from their Winter 1998 bulletin put the issue in its proper perspective: (A) Requests for emergency food assistance rose by 14 percent in 1998 as reported by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. (B) The 97,000,000,000 pounds of food that are wasted each year would solve the problem of hunger in this country. (C) 12 million homes in this country face hunger at least once a month. Foodchain collected more than 150,000,000 pounds of food in 1997 and delivered it to 12,000 social service agencies.

[Foodchain, The National Food-Rescue Network, 912 Baltimore, #300, Kansas City, MO 64105, Attn: Christina A. Martin, 816-842-6006, toll-free information: 800-845-3008, fax: 816-842-5145, e-mail: rescuefood@aol.com, Website: www.foodchain.org.]

2. COLLECTING FOOD JEWISHLY - RACHEL'S TABLE ($360)
Rachel's Table is a perfect example of a grassroots commitment to food retrieval. A visit to their website lays out their entire program in the simplest and most straightforward way. After looking it over, you cannot help but wonder why their work isn't being replicated in every community. The food that is donated, more than 200,000 pounds annually, comes from many different sources - bakeries, restaurants, pizzerias, supermarkets, to name but a few. The donors are given instructions about packaging and storing the leftovers, and volunteer drivers, using their own vehicles, make the daily pick-ups and deliver the food to a long list of shelters, soup kitchens, and similar agencies. The program is run on a regional basis, covering several towns in the Springfield, MA, area. It is that simple. Other Rachel's Table programs operate in New Haven, CT, and Worcester, MA.

Our donation to Rachel's Table paid for the printing of a children's book that discusses the whole topic of feeding hungry people.

[Rachel's Table, 1160 Dickinson St., Springfield, MA 01108, Attn.: Pamela Finer, 413-733-0084, fax: 737-4348, e-mail: jfgs18@aol.com, Website: www.delpadre.com/rachels-table.]

3. MORE THAN JUST POTATOES - THE POTATO PROJECT ($1,800)
To Ken Horne, retrieving food in BIG quantities is what it is all about. The Potato Project is in the business of gathering all types of produce from farms throughout this country and getting it to shelters, soup kitchens and other centers where it is prepared and distributed. The statistics are staggering. On average, since it was founded, the Potato Project has saved more than 15 million pounds annually. (This past year, they collected 24,500,000 pounds, which translates into 73,500,000 million servings.) All of this is done at about 1¢ a serving. Yes, that is 1¢! They also promote the Biblical practice of gleaning for people living in farm areas. (6,100,000 pounds were gleaned in 1998.) Our contribution subsidized more than one 18-wheeler truckload of produce.

This past year, Ken, along with his former partner, Ray Buchanan, (see section XIV:A) joined the ranks of other Ziv heroes when they were selected to receive the prestigious Caring Award (see section IV:B). Deservedly so: 255,000,000 pounds of otherwise-wasted food has been saved and donated to hungry people in America since 1983.

[Society of St. Andrew/The Potato Project, 3383 Sweet Hollow Rd., Big Island, VA 24526, Attn: Steven Michael Waldmann, toll-free phone: 800-333-4597 or 804-299-5956, fax: 804-299-5949, e-mail: sosausa@mindspring.com, Website: www.endhunger.org.]

4. COLLECTING AND RECYCLING EVERYTHING - REMEDY ($750)
When we think of waste in this country, most of us would first think of food or clothing; things we have in abundance in our homes. What about the excesses of places such as hospitals, specifically, operating rooms? Dr. William Rosenblatt, an anesthesiologist at Yale-New Haven, started REMEDY (Recovered Medical Equipment for the Developing World) for the express purpose of retrieving the huge quantities of usable surgical supplies that are destroyed because manufacturers will not continue to warranty items that are opened but uncontaminated. Through his established network, Dr. Rosenblatt and his staff have collected such items and forwarded them to Third World countries where they may, literally, save a life. Last summer, with REMEDY's connections, Ziv was even able to bring a discarded portable EKG machine to a project in Israel. If you know of a hospital that would like to take part in this very important effort, contact the REMEDY office. They have even developed a "how-to" packet that can easily guide you through the process. One more very original program with far-reaching benefits.

[REMEDY, 3 TMP, 333 Cedar St., POB 208051, New Haven, CT 06520-8051, 203-785-2802 or, after hours: 203-785-4242 x 3-9553, fax: 785-6664, Attn: Dr. William Rosenblatt or Darryl Kuperstock. E-mail: remedy@biomed.med.yale.edu, Website: http://gasnet.med.yale.edu/~remedy/.]

5. RACORSE ($800)
A second program we support was developed by Liisa Nenonen, a surgical nurse in Oakland, California. She, too, was dismayed by the terrible waste generated by the medical world and wondered how it could be redirected. Her program, RACORSE (Recycling, Allocation, and Conservation of Operating Room Supplies and Equipment) works on many fronts. Aside from shipping supplies to Third World nations, Liisa also re-cycles discarded surgical containers for art classes in inner-city schools. Her home health care program is one that we take particular interest in because it is so easily replicated. In essence, Liisa is a matchmaker. She collects all types of equipment - crutches, walkers, canes, wheelchairs and the like - from people who are no longer using them and gets them to people who need them and are unable to buy or rent them. How many of us have that extra set of crutches or no-longer-needed cane just sitting in the basement? Liisa provides a way to make the connection.

[Liisa Nenonen, RACORSE Network, 385 Jayne Ave., #401, Oakland, CA 94610, 510-832-2868.]

We remind you of Yad Sarah, Israel's amazing volunteer organization that lends medical supplies free of charge. To learn more about their ground-breaking work: Yad Sarah, 124 Herzl Blvd., Jerusalem, phone: 02-644-4444, fax: 02-624-4425, e-mail: info@yadsarah.org.il, Website: www.yadsarah.org.il. Tax-deductible contributions: Friends of Yad Sarah, c/o Els Bendheim, Parker Plaza, Room 1450, 400 Kelly St., Ft. Lee, NJ 07024, 201-944-7920.

C. FOOD, SHELTER, AND WHATEVER IS NEEDED

1. JOHN FLING ($1,750)
A description of John Fling's work would include providing meals and clothing (as well as everything in between) to the poorest poor people in and around Columbia, South Carolina, visiting and offering his services to blind people, and providing the financial resources for elderly people who cannot pay their utility bills. And, that would be just the beginning. John is a legend in his state; his Christmas project is remarkable. With the help of two large corporations, John supplies almost 2,000 children under the age of 13 with a $50.00 shopping spree. For many, the new clothes and shoes or toys and school supplies are the first NEW items they have ever had. An amazing man!
[John Fling, c/o John Fling Ministries, POB 5491, 2916 River Dr., Cayce, W. Columbia, SC 29171, car phone (which is where he gets his messages): 803-360-JOHN or 256-7195 (h).]

2. DENTAL VOLUNTEERS FOR ISRAEL ($1,000)
ONE NEIGHBORHOOD'S POOR FAMILIES ($5,000)
Trudi Birger has been running Dental Volunteers for Israel for many years. In order to combat the ill effects of a non-existent dental hygiene program in Israel's schools, Trudi, a Holocaust survivor, developed a program that brings dentists from the United States and Europe to Israel for a short stint as volunteer dentists. Her valuable program is in desperate need of dentists as well as dental supplies and funding.

In addition to the dental clinic, Trudi also acts as a support system for many poor families in the Romema neighborhood of Jerusalem. We are continuously dazzled by her energy and her unflagging devotion to these causes.

[DVI, 29 Mekor Haim St., Jerusalem, Attn: Trudi Birger, phone: 02-678-3144, fax: 02-643-3623, e-mail: dvi@internet-zahav.net, website: www.interdent.co.il/clinics/dvi/dvi.html Tax-deductible contributions for DVI through PEF-Israel Endowments. (See Section II:A.) Donations for the families: contact Ms. Birger directly, 2 HaMeyasdim St., Jerusalem, home phone: 02-643-6628.]

3. DOING COMMUNITY WORK...JEWISHLY ($500)
We told you last year about a new program run by our friend and former intern, Rabbi David Rosenn. Avodah, The Jewish Service Corps, is completing its first year of operation and we are impressed with its work. A recent article in New York's The Jewish Week described the group of nine young men and women who live together in a large house in a poor Brooklyn neighborhood. Their work, for which they are paid only a small stipend, is all front-line Mitzvah work with the poorest parts of the population. David believes that only after living on minimal resources can a Jewish leader truly understand the life of someone who must live that way. A very fine project.
[Avodah, 443 Park Ave. S., New York, NY 10016, Attn.: Rabbi David Rosenn, 212-545-7759, fax: 686-1353, e-mail: avodah.jsc@worldnet.att.net.]

We bring to your attention the paradigm of Jewish community-wide and all-encompassing efforts to provide for the needs of Jewish poor people, Chicago's The Ark. For information, contact Miriam Weinberger, 773-973-1000, fax: 973-4362, e-mail: arkchgo@aol.com, Website: www.arkchicago.org.

4. THE GLASS SLIPPER ($180)*
Kathy Goldberg and Rachel Hart, two young attorneys in Chicago, have recently started a wonderful program called The Glass Slipper Project. For many young women who cannot afford to buy a prom dress, The Glass Slipper Project is a life-saver. The program collects gently-used formal dresses, shoes, and all of the accompanying accessories and makes them available to high-school students through a network that includes school counselors, social service agencies, and community centers. All is done with the utmost respect and Kavod. Their goal? To start Glass Slipper Projects all over the country.

[The Glass Slipper Project, Rachel Hart, c/o Varga Berger Ledsky Hayes & Casey, 224 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 350, Chicago, IL 60604. Phone: 312-732-7682 (Kathy), 312-341-9848 (Rachel), e-mail: rah1997@concentric.net, website:home.switchboard.com/glassslipper.]

5. CLIP THOSE COUPONS ($250)*
Reverend Kevin Newcomer and his wife call their project "Learn Shop - A Program For Educating the Economically Disadvantaged To Be More Resourceful In The Marketplace." An incredibly original way to combat hunger, Learn Shop, since its inception in 1997, has purchased - with the use of coupons - more than $406,426.00 worth of groceries with only $2,142.00! Developed in Maryland, Learn Shop has produced an instructional video that teaches effective grocery shopping techniques and provides this video to housing authorities, social service agencies and community centers across the country. They also provide containers of manufacturers coupons for the waiting rooms of these same places. Finally, through the use of coupons, Learn Shop works with retailers and purchases huge quantities of groceries and supplies that are distributed to shelters, soup kitchens and pantries. This is an excellent project for any school to become involved in. Call or write Reverend Newcomer for the details.

[Learn Shop, Inc., Rev. Kevin and Louise Newcomer, PO Box 1754, Wheaton, MD 20915, 301-942-5136, fax: 942-1329, e-mail: Learnshop2@aol.com, Website: http://members.aol.com/Learnshop2/learnshop.html.]

6. FOOD AND MORE IN FLORIDA ($500)*
Fred Luongo and his volunteer staff have been meeting the needs of hungry people in the Vero Beach area of Florida. The "He Shall Supply Ministry" is a much-needed resource providing food, housewares, clothing, cleaning products, furniture, and much more. Talk to Fred if you want to learn about the indecent amount of food that is tossed into dumpsters by local and national businesses.

[He Shall Supply Ministry, Inc., Rev. Fred Luongo, 845 10th Court S.W., Vero Beach, FL 32962, 561-770-1393 (phone and fax).]

7. POVERTY IN JERUSALEM ($4,000)
Naomi Sharabi, the founder of Ezrat Avot, is a dynamo. Her eyes sparkle as she shows you around her small but warm building that welcomes some of Jerusalem's poorest Elders. Providing them with a hot meal, a place to study, decent clothing, and an occasional outing, Ezrat Avot is an oasis in the midst of serious poverty. Our trip this past summer allowed us to visit the site of her new building, which overlooks the Jerusalem hills. At last, Naomi will have a fine new place for not only her Elders, but also for the many children who enjoy her summer camp.

[Ezrat Avot, POB 5603, Jerusalem, Israel, Attn: Naomi Sharabi, phone: 02-582-9984, fax: 02-532-2226, home: 08-976-2845, cellular phone: 053-851-013, e-mail: ezratavot@daatmedia.co.il, Website: www.daatmedia.co.il/ezratavot. Contributions: North American Friends of Ezrat Avot, POB 181, Fairlawn, NJ 07410, Attn: Mindy Lippe, 201-475-0306, e-mail: schachterlippe@hotmail.com.]

8. SCHOOL SUPPLIES - TWO GREAT PROJECTS
Too often we assume that every child being educated is provided with the most basic supplies to enhance learning. The truth is that there are many places in this country, as well as in many under-developed communities in the world, where basic school supplies are in critically short supply. We tell you about two organizations working to alleviate this problem, and strongly recommend both of them, particularly to schools and synagogues looking for "Mitzvah" projects:

a. The Educate the Children Foundation ($400)
Started by Frank and Faye Clarke, the Educate the Children Foundation has shipped hundreds of tons of school supplies, particularly to the many pockets of poverty that are found in rural Southern states.

[Educate the Children Foundation, 5862 Bolsa Ave., #108, Huntington Beach, CA 92649, Attn: Frank and Faye Clarke, 714-901-7237, fax: 901-5337, e-mail: etcf1@gte.net, Website: www.etcf.org.]

b. WorldCare - Tools for Schools ($500)*
We are very impressed with the work being done by Lisa Hopper and her fine organization. Since 1996, WorldCare has provided supplies to more than 8,000 children in the United States. In addition, this year Lisa has been involved in collecting more than 50,000 pounds of supplies that were shipped to Honduras, where Hurricane Mitch destroyed so much of the country. The preponderant percentage of what Lisa's organization collects is the result of recycling efforts. She has just begun to make her project a national program.

[WorldCare - Tools for Schools, PO Box 64001, Tucson, AZ 85728, Attn: Lisa Hopper, 520-797-7773, fax: 628-1580, e-mail: hopper@azstarnet.com].

9. CLOTHES MAKE THE WOMAN...AND THE MAN
Many of us are diligent about donating those items in our wardrobe that we no longer care to wear. Usually, we think of sportswear or outerwear when we do this. In truth, there is a tremendous need for "dress" clothes, men's suits, ties, women's suits and dresses. These are the expensive items that someone who is re-entering the job market would probably not have the resources to buy. To address that need there is a growing number of new organizations springing up throughout the country. Barbara and Scot Pittman are a couple we met a few years ago while in Philadelphia. Both are providing these essential clothes to people in their area.

a. For Women ($500): Barbara Pittman's, The Working Wardrobe.
[The Working Wardrobe, 1515 Land Title Building, 100 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19110, Attn: Barbara Pittman, phone: 215-568-6693, fax: 568-5998, or phone/fax 464-3955 (h), e-mail: wardrobe@libertynet.org, Website: www.libertynet.org/wardrobe.]

b. For Men ($250): Scot Pittman's project addresses men's clothing needs and can use donations of not only men's suits but also more casual work clothes such as jeans, gloves, and sweatshirts.

[Street Clothes Project, POB 52208, Philadelphia, PA 19115, Attn: Scot Pittman, phone/fax: 215-464-3955.]

10. ELDERLY HOMELESS PEOPLE ($360)
For some reason, we do not often think of elderly people as homeless. And yet, there are many throughout this country. We support the work of Ms. Isha Salas who provides housing and a range of other services for more than 80 elderly, homeless people in Houston.

[Rehab Mission, Inc., Helping the Homeless Senior Citizens, 1701 Jacquelyn, Houston, TX 77055, Attn: Isha Salas, 713-957-0099, fax: 957-1920.]

11. HARVARD'S RESPONSE TO HOMELESS PEOPLE ($240)*
Plain and simple - the students run a shelter. The students refused to throw up their hands and say, "What can we do?" They launched the project, they manage it. They teach others how to do it. Yasher Koach! Our donation was used for equipment for the shelter.

[Contact: Ari Lipman, 311 Mather Mail Center, Cambridge, MA 02138, 617-493-7368, e-mail: alipman@fas.harvard.edu.]

12. WASHINGTON, DC'S N ST. VILLAGE ($500)
We have supported the work of the N Street Village for many years. Started by the now retired Reverend John Steinbruck, the shelter ­ one component of the project's many services ­ provides meals and comfort to large numbers of Washington's poor and homeless people. As is our custom, our contribution purchased much-needed household goods such as towels and sheets.

[Luther Place N St. Village, 1333 N St., NW, Washington, DC 20005, Attn: Ann Bodnyk, phone: 202-667-2728, fax: 202-319-1508, e-mail: nstreet@ibm.net.]

13. CHRISTIAN SERVICE PROGRAM ($525)
Though Sister Margaret McCaffrey has passed away, her project, the Christian Service Program, continues to provide all manner of services to the very poor families of Shreveport, Louisiana. A fine example of grass-roots work at its best.

[Christian Service Program, POB 21, Shreveport, LA 71161, Attn: Father Giovanni Reid, 318-452-7144, cell phone: 453-5793.]

14. KEVURAT HAMAYT- FREE BURIAL WITH DIGNITY ($250)
Washington, DC's Hebrew Free Burial Society is a paradigm for fulfilling this most meaningful and sacred mitzvah, Kevurat HaMayt, providing a dignified funeral for those who either have no family or friends to do this, or for those whose survivors cannot afford the high costs. The Free Burial Society can be found in many other Jewish communities.

[Hebrew Free Burial Society of Greater Washington, Attn: Martin Kamerow, c/o Kamerow, Weintraub & Swain, LLP, 11400 Rockville Pike, #800, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-468-2424, fax: 468-2480, e-mail: marty@kwscpa.com. Emergency phone number: 301-230-7200.]

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