V. Finding Mitzvah Heroes VI. Our Elders Intermezzo: Ziv's Wish List

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V. Finding Mitzvah Heroes

THE ZIV GIRAFFE CURRICULUM
Though we are still several months away from the second anniversary of publication of this curriculum, we are touched and honored by its success. Now being used in more than 400 supplementary and day schools, youth groups, and camps across the country, we believe that it is an especially effective tool to teach kids what it is to be a Mensch. A joint endeavor with our friends at the Giraffe Project, the curriculum's lessons include the stories of many of the Heroes you meet on these pages. The program also utilizes Jewish texts, clips from secular videos, and suggested projects. For further information, please contact Naomi.

A. GIRAFFES ($1,558)
Ann Medlock and John Graham are in the business of finding Giraffes. This task is not carried out on the plains of Africa but rather in Anytown, USA and around the world. We have been sharing stories with them for years. Indeed, many of Ziv's Mitzvah Heroes have also been designated "Giraffes" by the Project. Ann and John search for people who make a difference in the world by "sticking their neck out for the common good." In so doing, the Giraffes frequently encounter some element of risk. When someone has been recognized as a Giraffe, his or her story is disseminated through the news media. Their own Giraffe Project curricula are being used in secular schools throughout the country.

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

B. CARING PEOPLE ($558)
Each November, the Caring Institute in Washington, DC recognizes people - both adults and youth - for their efforts in improving the lives of others. This year, our friend Jeannie Jaybush (see section IV:F) joined this very distinguished group, many of whom have been recognized by Ziv, as well. Reading their once-a-year publication is a study in the very best of humanity.

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

VI. Our Elders

A. THE LOWER EAST SIDE ($48,592.36)
Project Ezra's devotion to the Elders of the Lower East Side of New York City represents, to us, the pinnacle of righteous work. The people they serve rely upon them for many of the most basic needs - a warm meal, medical care, companionship, and much, much more.

Misha Avramoff, who runs the program, is truly a Tzaddik. His gentle and caring demeanor is so very perfect for this project. With his suggestions, Ziv has been able to provide many things which have meant greater dignity and comfort for the recipient.

To give you some insight: In one conversation with Misha we learned that it was sometimes difficult, at the death of some of the Elders, to provide a decent headstone. The solution: we contributed to a fund that guarantees this very important part of the burial process. On another occasion, Misha told us that some of the home health care aides reported that some Elders did not have the most basic of needs - appropriate underwear and even towels and bedsheets. The solution: we not only advanced funding for this need, but also made a call to our good friend, Rabbi Joel Soffin, Mitzvah Maker extraordinaire. With one more phone call, Joel arranged for a manufacturer of these items to donate a large supply. We have also contributed to the salary of an additional home health care aide. These very special people are critical to the wellbeing of so many of Project Ezra's Elders. They perform the Mitzvah of Hiddur Pnai Zaken-Bringing Forth the Radiance of Our Elders' Faces in a most extraordinary fashion.

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

B. HATZILU ($2,500)
Al Nevins, the President of Hatzilu Rescue Organization, leads a devoted group of volunteers who provide for the many needs of impoverished Jews in New York City's outer boroughs and on Long Island. Their work is pure front-line Tzedakah work - providing food, clothing, and medical needs is their mission.

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

We also highly recommend that you learn more about DOROT ("Generations"), an excellent and extensive project providing for the varied needs of the Jewish Elders on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

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

C. MYRIAM'S DREAM ($12,000)
Inspired by the late Myriam Mendilow, Myriam's Dream works across the world to provide meaningful work for our Elders, giving them a sense of purpose and reward on a daily basis. Myriam's Dream programs can be found in Israel, the United States, the Former Soviet Union, and South Africa. Though all of them have different programs, what each shares is the strong belief in affording respect and meaning to an Elder's life. We are especially fond of their beautiful Tzedakah boxes which are frequently given to Bnai Mitzvah, and their attractive Kippot, finely crocheted in Eastern Europe.

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

D. JEWISH ELDERS IN SOUTH AFRICA ($1,000)*
We learned of the work of the Cape Seniors Association from our friends at Myriam's Dream. This vibrant group in Capetown, South Africa seems to know just the right ways to make life meaningful for the Jewish Elders in that city. Indeed, their mission statement declares that they are dedicated to not only enriching the lives of these people but also to helping them maintain their independence as long as possible. More than 400 people a month take part in their programs. Our donation was used to buy new folding chairs for their meeting rooms.

[The Cape Jewish Seniors Association, 3 and 7 Bellevue Road, Sea Point 8001, Capetown S.A., 021-434-9691 fax: 021-434-6175, Lorraine Mann, Director.]

E. GETTING A RIDE ($750)
We are impressed with both the originality and practicality of Kathy Freund's project, the Independent Transportation Network (ITN), based in Portland, ME (and replicable elsewhere). At the core of this program are (mostly) volunteer drivers who transport Elders to the doctor, the hairdresser, or the food store, wherever they need to go. The service is provided for a very nominal fee. The ITN office includes a dispatch center where the services are organized. ITN's clients deposit funds into an account in their name and as they use the service, the balance is adjusted. Our money is used to supplement the costs for riders who cannot afford to pay the usual fare. It has been put into something now called the ROADS Scholarship Fund!

[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, kfreund@itninc.org.]

F. "SHALOM, HOW ARE YOU DOING?" ($2,000)
Chaim Vigolik and David Zahavi know, first hand, the loneliness and risks elderly people face living alone. Before retiring and starting Yitav 109, they were involved with Israel's famous ambulance corps, Magen David Adom. They never forgot the times they would be called to the home of an elderly person who had fallen ill and died, unnoticed and alone. It was only after a relative or neighbor noted their absence - sometimes, many days later - that help would arrive. Yitav, located at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem, brings a corps of volunteers together (many of them elderly people themselves) in a room with a bank of phones. In the early morning hours people registered with Yitav dial "109," say Shalom to the volunteer and schmooze a bit. After a certain hour, anyone who has not yet called in gets a call from a volunteer checking on their wellbeing. If no one answers, a relative or neighbor is called to check on the Elder. If there is still no response, the police are called. Yitav also sponsors a program that introduces high school students to these Elders for companionship.

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

G. QUIET WORK ($5,000)
Our relationship with Dr. Martin Kieselstein exemplifies the best of Ziv's work. (1) He works with chronically ill elderly people and immigrants, (2) He discovers immediate and critical human needs, (3) We supply the money to answer those needs. Quiet, direct, and very simple.

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

H. OLD AND HOMELESS ($500)
For some reason, we do not think of a homeless elderly person. And yet, there are many throughout this country. We support the work of Ms. Isha Salas, who cares for the 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: 713-957-1920.]

I. EZRAT AVOT ($1,000)
Though the new Ezrat Avot complex is not yet a reality, Naomi Sharabi and her volunteers continue to provide hot food, Torah study, and socialization for many of Jerusalem's Elders. Sharabi also reaches many poor children in her summer camp.

[Ezrat Avot, POB 5603, Jerusalem, Attn: Naomi Sharabi, phone: 02-582-9984, home: 08-926-2845, cellphone: 053-851-013, fax: 08-532-2226, ezrat@virtual.co.il. Contributions: North American Friends of Ezrat Avot, POB 181, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410, Attn: Mindy Lippe, 201-475-0306, schachterlippe@hotmail.com.]

Please note that Life Line for the Old-Yad LaKashish and Myriam's Dream 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 Jerusa-lem.) Iinformation about Life Line may be obtained through Alice Weinstein in Cleveland, 216-561-8403.

Intermezzo: Ziv's Wish List

Ziv's mandate, almost 20 years ago, was straightforward - collect money and give it away. It was all so simple and neat. Today, Ziv is expanding in many, many different directions and it is very exhilarating. So many people express an interest in what we do. Naomi and Arnie receive requests for information on a daily basis. Because we can never forget our mandate, we respectfully ask you, our friends, to work with us in other ways as well.

A. Air Miles: The Ziv Mitzvah Heroes Conferences have been successful beyond our wildest dreams. The donation of air miles would help us immeasurably in getting our Heroes to the conference sites. If you can afford to donate air miles, please contact Naomi.

B. Specific-Needs Funding: The summer intern program and a much-hoped-for year-long intern program are also critical. We have seen, first-hand, the benefits such programs have. Many of Ziv's summer interns from past years are currently working in fields directly related to that summer experience. The summer program costs approximately $10,000 to bring four interns to work with us in Israel. If you are interested in funding this part of our work, or know of an individual or foundation that might be willing, please contact us.

C. Salaries: Since all funding for Naomi's salary is raised separately - so that we do not take away from the support of our programs - if you would like to donate specifically to this end, we welcome your support.

For both sections B and C, we look to these funds not in place of, but rather, in addition to your normal contribution. We appreciate your understanding.

 

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