XVII. Refuah Shelaymah: Recovery from Illness XVIII. Global Tikkun Olam XIX. Animals and Mitzvahs

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XVII. Refuah Shelaymah: Recovery from Illness

A. Advocates For The Jewish Mentally Ill (AJMI) ($860)*

We were excited to learn of the work of Advocates for the Jewish Mentally Ill in Pennsylvania. AJMI provides support for Jewish families dealing with mental illness, and they provide social programs for this oft-forgotten segment of our community. Currently, they are seeking funding for an apartment house that will provide community and support for many of their members. We know that programs like AJMI are needed in many, many other Jewish communities. Our donation this year underwrote a trip to a Philadelphia museum, a bowling party and a camping event.

[Advocates for the Jewish Mentally Ill, Beulah Saideman, PO Box 561, Abington, PA 19001, 215-545-8610.]

B. AIDS in Africa ($1,000)*

Over the past few years our old friend, Lucy Steinitz, has corresponded with us from her post as an AIDS coordinator in Namibia, in southern Africa. As a medical worker, the stories she tells are often gripping and poignant. Her recent e-mails have shattered our senses as she shares the nightmare of the AIDS pandemic that is ravaging the region. AIDS in Africa is profoundly different. Not only are the local governments slow to understand the enormity of the siege, but they also do not have the resources to provide the medications necessary to combat the disease. Social and cultural differences also impede a solution. The spread of AIDS has resulted in a sharp rise in the number of orphaned children and it is in this area that we have done our part. In order to succeed in school, these children must have school uniforms. Without them, they are ridiculed and ostracized. In Lucy’s own words:

“… I maintain that every year a child is in school, this means that there is one year when the child is NOT ON THE STREETS begging for money (or worse, committing a crime), and the child feels that somebody cares, and there is a chance that he or she will learn something that will lead to gainful employment in the future…

US$1000 can ensure that at least 30 children will be helped, whom we could otherwise not serve. Imagine, being able to ensure that these children hold their heads high at school, and that they are given the chance to learn how to read and write and do basic math! It gives these kids a chance for a job and a functional life; even more, that they know that someone cares about them and their future.

Amen!

[Lucy Steinitz, , donations sent through Kulanu-Orphans, Kulanu, c/o Diane Zeller; 11603 Gilsan Street, Silver Spring, MD 20902,  Lucy’s e-mail: steinitz@mweb.com.na, www.caa-namibia.org.]

C. Books, Bears And Bonnets ($1,000)*

After Merrily Ansell’s sister died following a long battle with cancer, she vowed that she would do something to help people undergoing distressing chemotherapy treatments. Books, Bears and Bonnets is her response. Patients entering chemotherapy treatment in any one of 10 hospitals in the Washington, DC, area are given a colorful box containing a soft, plush teddy bear, a snappy cap and a book or magazine. The boxes’ contents are customized for women, men or kids. After only nine months in operation, Merrily has distributed more than 750 boxes and has requests from many more hospitals. If you are a Bar or Bat Mitzvah student looking for a meaningful project, Books, Bears and Bonnets might be just for you. Merrily has a continuous need for teddy bears, caps and books, and will gladly accept any of these items that meet specific requirements. Contact her for exact details.

[Books, Bears and Bonnets, Merrily Ansell, President, 10844 Antigua Terrace, #103, N. Bethesda, Maryland, 301-881-2883, fax: 881-2884, manmd@starpower.net.]

D. AIDS In Israel ($1,750)*

It has been 15 years since a group of six healthcare professionals in Israel established the Israel AIDS Task Force in response to the increasing number of AIDS cases in the country. The organization maintains a 24-hour telephone hot-line, increases public awareness through a week-long AIDS Awareness program and extensive programming in schools, established testing centers in the country, and directs assistance to people who are either HIV-positive or have AIDS. Our donation was dedicated to their special fund that provides for specific needs of people with AIDS. This is a fine organization doing exemplary work in the most Menschlich way possible.

[Israel Aids Task Force, Anat Sharf, PO Box 56110, Tel Aviv, Israel, 03-620-8965, fax: 03-525-3071, iatfec-s@internet-zahav.net, www.iatf.org.il.] 

E. VIP ($500)

As a psychologist, Rich Shulman knows that high fees, less-than-complete health coverage, and concerns about confidentiality prevent many people from seeking psychotherapy. In response, he developed Volunteers in Psychotherapy. VIP allows individuals to pay no fees or reduced fees for therapy if they agree to volunteer their time for a local program that would benefit other people. Over the past year, both the American Psychological Association and the Connecticut Psychological Association have recognized VIP’s groundbreaking work. Our donation provided much needed office equipment.

[Volunteers in Psychotherapy, Inc., Richard Shulman, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Director, 7 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06107, 860-233-5115, ctvip@hotmail.com, www.CTVIP.org.]

F. One Fish, Two Fish ($250)

Casting for Recovery is one of the most unusual and most effective support services offered to women recovering from the trauma of breast cancer surgery. The principle is simple — women who have undergone this surgery need physical therapy to strengthen and develop muscles in the upper arm and adjacent areas. Fly-fishing requires many of the same physical motions.  Participating in a Casting for Recovery weekend offers women the benefits of this physical activity, as well as the camaraderie and shared experiences of other survivors in a serene and natural setting. Today, CFR operates in at least 9 different states and hopes to offer their services to more than 300 women during the coming year.

[Casting for Recovery, PMB-257, 946 Great Plain Ave., Needham, MA  02492, Attn: Seline Skoug, toll-free phone: 888-553-3500 or 781-453-3910, cfrprogram@aol.com, www.castingforrecovery.org.] 

G. A Ton Of Bricks ($100)*

The Breast Cancer Brick Project is an unusual and successful response to breast cancer. Ellen Ganson and Marcia Levitas, both survivors, collect bricks from demolished buildings and enlist artists to paint each one with a different beautiful design. The bricks are then sold (to be used as decorative door stops, garden ornaments and the like) with 100% of the profits going to a Cincinnati breast cancer organization.

[The Breast Cancer Brick Project, Ellen Ganson and Marcia Levitas, 8735 Tanager Woods Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45249, 513-489-2511, fax: 489-2510, mbgebg@aol.com]

H. Recovery Jewishly ($180)*

Rabbi Mark Borovitz’s special talents lie in working with Jews recovering from substance abuse, or who have been jailed for various reasons. Far too often, Jews in this situation have no Jewish place to turn to. Beit T’Shuvah is the answer for them. This program offers love, respect and a firm hand — all with a Jewish touch.

[Gateways Beit T’Shuvah, Rabbi Mark Borovitz, 8831 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90034, 310-204-5200, fax: 204-8908, info@beittshuvah.org, www.beittshuvah.org.]

I. A Sorely-Needed Remedy ($1,071)

Dr. William Rosenblatt, an anesthesiologist at Yale-New Haven Hospital, has a fine program that retrieves leftover medical equipment from our nation’s operating rooms and delivers it to poor countries where it is critically needed. Tons of unused tubing, bandages, clamps and other items are routinely discarded when an operation is finished. Liability laws in this country require this. The legal terminology is, “Manufacturers are unwilling to continue warranty to these opened, though still uncontaminated, items.” REMEDY’s (Recovered Medical Equipment for the Developing World) efforts are now being duplicated by hospitals across the country. If you are a health-care professional, contact them to get their “How To” packet.

[REMEDY, 3 TMP, 333 Cedar St., POB 208051, New Haven, CT  06520-8051, 203-737-5356 or, after hours: 203-785-4242 x 3-9553, fax: 785-6664, Attn: Emmy Riccio, remedy@yale.edu, www.remedyinc.org.]

J. Crutches, Canes, And Walkers ($3,000)

What home has not accumulated an extra pair of crutches, a walker, an expensive wheelchair? Liisa Nenonen, founder of RACORSE (Recycling, Allocation, and Conservation of Operating Room Supplies) uses her professional expertise as a nurse to collect and distribute these items to people who cannot afford to buy their own. She also uses this idea to recycle certain items from hospital operating rooms.

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

We remind everyone of the fine work being carried out by Yad Sarah-vra sh, Israel’s largest volunteer organization that lends medical equipment throughout the country free of charge. We highly recommend a visit when you are in Jerusalem. It is fascinating work that they do, and you can even assemble a walker or wheelchair on your tour.

[Yad Sarah, 124 Herzl Blvd., Jerusalem, phone: 02-644-4444, fax: 02-624-4425, info@yadsarah.org.il, www.yadsarah.org.il.  Tax-deductible contributions: Friends of Yad Sarah, Inc., One Parker Plaza, #1450, Ft. Lee, NJ  07024, 201-944-7920, fax: 944-5937.]

K. Hosts for Hospitals ($500)*

Michael Aichenbaum, himself a cancer survivor, knows first hand the problems people face when they must travel long distances to get treatment for a family member. Living arrangements can be difficult as hotels can be expensive, especially over long periods of time. Enter: Hosts for Hospitals. Recently introduced in the Philadelphia area, Hosts for Hospitals provides volunteer home hospitality for family members. Though newly established, HfH has provided 231 nights of free lodging to over 20 guest families. This very fine project is easily duplicated in any metropolitan area where major medical centers are located. Our donation was used to allow HfH to spread the word about their program more extensively.

[Hosts for Hospitals, Michael Aichenbaum, 300 N. Highland Ave, Merion, PA 19066, 610-660-6667, fax: 617-3659, HfHospitals@aol.com.]

L. The Mitzvah Genius: Reb Osher Freund ($1,500)

Yad Ezrah is an all-encompassing series of Mitzvah projects that provides many different services for poor people in Jerusalem and other cities. It was founded many years ago by Reb Osher Freund, a gentle man, who teaches that everyone deserves love and kindness. We are particularly impressed with their fine sewing workshop in Jerusalem that offers meaningful work for people recovering from mental illness.

[Sewing workshop: 4 Kinneret St.; Yad Ezrah, main office, 11 Strauss St., POB 7199, Jerusalem, Attn: Shmuel Katz, 02-537-5812, cellphone: 054-526-679, fax: 02-538-9770. Contributions: Boston Friends of Yad Ezrah, c/o Elihu Stone, 158 Billings St., Sharon, MA  02067, 617-784-2848, or 722-0300 x 666, fax: 722-0301, elistone@gis.net.  Call Elihu if you would like to purchase their beautiful Challah or Matzah covers in the U.S.]

M. Shaul’s Vision ($3,650)

Chazon was founded in 1975 by the late Shaul F’taya,  We have known the workshops of Chazon F’taya since the beginning of our own Tzedakah work. People recovering from severe mental distress find love, caring, and calm at Chazon, which allows them to rebuild their lives. The director, Simcha Ovadia-F’taya, daughter of Shaul, follows in her father’s righteous ways. Sadly, Chazon’s services continue to be limited as they struggle financially. We visited Chazon in January on the Ziv trip to Israel, and the future remains uncertain.

[Chazon F’taya, POB 6070, 6 Shimon Chacham St., Jerusalem, Attn: Simcha Ovadia-F’taya, phone: 02-582-7826, fax: 02-581-7117.]

XVIII. Global Tikkun Olam

A. Feeding The World ($4,500)

Stop Hunger Now is a fine hunger relief organization run by our friend, Ray Buchanan, a professional with many years experience in this field. Several factors set this organization apart from some other hunger programs. They operate with a minimum of bureaucracy — just two people make the decisions. They are equipped to provide rapid response to disasters throughout the world, and this year specifically, El Salvador and India, were recipients of SHN aid. They also work with countries that have chronic hunger problems. One particular line on their website should astound you — the world produces enough food to feed every single person on this planet. Stop Hunger Now is doing their part to make it happen.

[Stop Hunger Now, 2501 Clark St., #301, Raleigh, NC 27607, 919-839-0689, toll-free phone: 888-501-8440, cellphone: 919-349-4491, fax: 839-8971, shnraleigh@aol.com, www.stophungernow.com.]

B. How to be an Entrepreneur ($1,000)

Weekly news magazines continue to report the seemingly unsolvable problems of world-wide poverty. The Grameen Foundation in Washington, DC, the brainchild of Dr. Mohammed Yunus, is one organization working to end this situation through the little-known power of micro-credit. A recent Grameen newsletter told the story of Farjana Akhtar, a resident of a remote village in Bangladesh. When Farjana’s family lost most of their savings she went to the Grameen Bank center in her village and applied for a loan. With the loan, she grew and sold vegetables. After successfully repaying fourteen different loans, Farjana’s good credit standing allowed her to borrow the equivalent of $480 to purchase a cellular phone. With this cellular phone, she earned an income by placing local and international calls for her neighbors. In turn, Farjana was introduced to the entire world of technology. The phone gives her between $20-$30 income per month, enough for her family to buy a plot of land and eventually build a brick house. After repaying the original phone loan, she secured a loan for two satellite antennas. With these antennas she offers more than 30 villagers access to eight television channels. These connections bring in about $245 a month which has, in turn, made it possible for her to open a video store in her home! An amazing story — but true. We can only imagine what wonders our $1000 contribution brought about.

[Grameen Foundation USA, 1709 New York Avenue NW, Suite 101, Washington, DC 20006, 202-628-3560,  fax: 628-3880, info@peoplesfund.org, Attn: Dr. Ismael (Mike) Getubig or Jacki Lippman, www.peoplesfund.org or www.grameenfoundation.org.  Donations made out to “The People’s Fund.”]

A Note — The Internet and Tikkun Olam: Web surfers can tell you there is no end to the number of ways you can repair the world with just a click — “Click here and feed someone in war-torn Africa.” “Click here and provide a free mammogram for an uninsured woman.” We are particularly impressed with www.povertyfighters.com. They have launched a “click-to-donate” website that funds micro-loans. Our friends at the Microcredit Summit Campaign are partners with this creative program that combats worldwide poverty.

C. A Response To Worldwide Hunger ($250)

The statistics astound us. Every day, throughout the world, 32,000 children die from hunger or hunger-related causes. 1.5 billion people live on less than $1 a day. In the United States, 7.5 million people are hungry, including 2.6 million children. RESULTS, an astonishing grassroots citizens’ lobby, is devoted to ending this hunger by identifying and publicizing cost-effective solutions. Once these solutions are identified, RESULTS relies upon one of the most time-honored means to effect change — letter writing campaigns to members of Congress and the media, hosting press conferences, whatever it takes to get the word out. We are impressed by the scope of their work.

[RESULTS Educational Fund, Sam Daley-Harris, 440 First Street, NW #450, Washington, DC 20001, 202-783-7100, fax: 783-2818, , www.resultsusa.org. RESULTS is an acronym for Responsibility, Ending Starvation Using Legislation, Trimtabbing and Support.]

D. Mother Nature and Disaster ($1,000)*

As in years past, Ziv has responded to several natural disasters with contributions to the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). Earthquakes in India and El Salvador left in their wake profound destruction. Our donations were used to play a part in restoring order to both of these countries.

[The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc., 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, 212-687-6200, fax: 682-7262, www.jdc.org.]

E. Cuban Jews ($2,500)

June Safran, founder of the Cuba-America Jewish Mission, knows all about the remaining Jews in Cuba. June’s tireless efforts and frequent trips to Cuba have brought not only much-needed medical supplies and food, but also items that nourish their Jewish roots, as well. Our donation bought Chumashim and Megillot, and also underwrote some of the costs related to the American Jewish Ballet visit to Cuba.

[Cuba-America Jewish Mission, June Safran, Executive Director, 444 34th St. Oakland, CA 94609, 510-526-7173, fax: 527-2514, theCAJM.org, CAJM13@aol.com.]

F. Jews in the Former Soviet Union - I ($1,000)

Chicago Action for Soviet Jewry is a fine grass-roots organization that works on the front lines with the remaining Jews in the Former Soviet Union, offering them support in the form of medicines, cultural, financial, and educational resources as well as links to their Jewish heritage. Their Yad L’Yad program pairs congregations in the Midwest with small Jewish communities in the FSU. Through weekly phone calls congregants are able to establish person-to-person contact with those small, at-risk pockets of Jewish life. 

[Chicago Action for Soviet Jewry, Marilyn Tallman, Chairperson, 555 Vine Street, #111, Highland Park, IL 60035, 847-433-0144, fax: 433-5530, CASJ1@aol.com, www.fsumonitor.com.]

G. Jews in the Former Soviet Union – II ($1,000)*

Igor Feldblyum, the founder of Am Echad, arrived in the States from the Ukraine a little more than 20 years ago, but clearly remembers the hardships of life in the Former Soviet Union. During a visit to St. Petersburg two years ago, Igor witnessed first-hand the oppressive poverty facing the mostly elderly Jewish population. The statistics are staggering — 100,000 Jews live in St. Petersburg, 36% are Elders living on fixed incomes, and 26,000 live on less than $20 per month.  Am Echad has identified thousands of these individuals who need extra assistance and through a well-organized arrangement, sends supplemental funding to individuals on a monthly basis. Our $1000 donation provided basics for 46 people in one month. This is an ideal project for a religious school class.

[Am Echad, Igor Feldblyum, President, 1277 Bartonshire Way, Potomac, Maryland  20854, 301-424-2647, fax: 424-7412, amechad@aol.com, www.amechad.net.]

H. Outreach And Inreach ($1,000)

It was Rabbi Jo David’s vision to offer support to struggling small Jewish communities throughout the world and in the United States. In this country, the Jewish Appleseed Foundation contributes news releases about upcoming Jewish holidays to cities where there are fewer than 200 Jewish residents, and their Jewish Clergy Corps provides professional leadership to many small communities both in this country and in Europe. We are particularly excited about the work they are doing in support of German Jewish communities.

[Jewish Appleseed Foundation, Inc. Rabbi Jo David, Executive Director, PO Box 308, New York, NY 10021, 212-249-5142, fax: 249-0799, jseed18@aol.com, www.jewishappleseed.org.]

 

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