Ziv Annual Report 2003

XXII: Our Managing Director, Our Agent in Israel,And Others Who Work on Our Behalf

A. Naomi Eisenberger, Ziv’s Managing Director

We call her Wonder Woman, and justifiably so. For the past 11 years (first joining us as a volunteer), it has been a perfect match. Naomi came to us with a background in business, teaching, four years as president of her synagogue, and even as a caterer for many years. On any given day, she may receive dozens of e-mails, phone calls, and letters — not counting the many e-mails and phone calls daily between us and with Arnie — besides handling deposits and distribution of our Tzedakah money. The Big Projects managed by her include organizing our winter Mitzvah Heroes Conference in Raleigh/Durham, NC, our incredibly successful HeroIsrael II trip to Israel in February, and writing the vast majority of this annual report. She has become a major advisory resource for literally hundreds of individuals, groups, and organizations that seek out her advice and insight on how best to perform their kind of Tikkun Olam. And the list is truly longer — too long to list.

The work load is enormous, and, of late, has clearly become too much for one person (with some assistance on deposits by an individual in New Jersey). Our wish list above stresses how much we are seeking funding to find an assistant, so she can divide the work appropriately. Naomi and I recall — with a chuckle — someone who asked her a few years ago, “How many people work in your office?” My answer was, “Zippo! Zilch! — Her ‘office’ is home, and there’s no one else in Millburn there with her!”

Wisdom, caring, Menschlichkeit, energy — she has it all, and the sheer numbers of Mitzvahs she has enabled since she joined Ziv are innumerable. A very, very great Yasher Koach to her!

B. Arnie Draiman: Our Agent in Israel

It is with great pleasure that I announce that, through a donor-advised contribution, we are able to benefit from Arnie’s good services on a two-thirds-time basis. Previously he was officially designated one-quarter time, but it became apparent months ago that he was working far beyond his “official” job description. Of course, Arnie accomplishes ever-more frequent research and updates relating to our Mitzvah heroes and the projects we work with. But — beyond that, there is so much more that we can achieve because he is there working on our behalf. Just from the period of November, 2002-January, 2003, here is a partial listing of a few specifics that he facilitated:

Meeting personally with several terror victims, bringing them gifts and offering them words of comfort.

Delivering teddy bears donated by a young woman in Greensboro, NC, to Hadassah Ein Karem.

Delivering toys collected by American school children to Shaare Zedek Hospital.

Handing out packages of sunflower seeds and nuts — with a note of support from us — to Egged bus drivers as a thank-you from Americans.

Organizing a Chanuka party for kids at Shaare Zedek on behalf of a Bat Mitzvah. Delivering schwarma to soldiers in Bethlehem — a Grand Schwarma Party thanks to an individual donation.

Leading a tour of our Mitzvah heroes for participants in a Jewish youth conference.

Befriending and buying necessities for a Shoah survivor.

Establishing a relationship with a free eye clinic and arranging for the delivery of donated eyeglasses from American donors.

Meeting with and teaching a group of local Bat Mitzvah students (providing hands-on activities, and nurturing their Mitzvah creativity).

Working with Sivan the Mitzvah Clown.

All this, besides his intensive work while Naomi and I are in Israel during our trips on behalf of Ziv. And the e-mails, letters, and phone calls from Naomi and myself. And…and…and…

To Arnie — (a) Welcome to more official work on our behalf, and (b) a great, VERY great Yasher Koach!

C. Other Individuals Who Work on Our Behalf

Besides Naomi, Arnie, and our board members, there are Lisa Bauch, designer of our Annual Report, November Update, and website, Maureen Greenbaum, our webmaster, and an anonymous donor who does our printing free of charge. All of these wonderful gifts free up many, many dollars and thus allow us to reach more people in need. Yishar Kochachem to all of you. We are grateful.

XXIII. A Message From the Managing Director

I am writing this message as we approach the middle of March. Here in the Northeast we are coming to the end of one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record. Our country continues on a state of high alert due to increased terrorist activity, the war in Iraq is on-again and off-again, and the daily news from Israel never seems to change…the numbers of Israelis killed or maimed in terrorist attacks continues to grow and the prospect of peace seems rather dim. I wonder how anyone keeps from being depressed with everything that is happening….It is a challenge.

I do know that what keeps me going, what keeps my optimism up and my energy high is the work that I do daily on behalf of Ziv. There is nothing that could give me a greater emotional lift. The phone calls, the e-mails, the personal relationships that I have developed as a result of this work are incredibly special. In truth, the work is actually addictive…the more rewarding the experience, the more I want to do.

After a full day that can go from 7:00 in the morning until 10:00 in the evening there may be physical exhaustion, but the sense of satisfaction more than compensates. I can now better understand why some people have asked if we need any help — they would love to work for us. This is, in truth, an ideal way to spend your days…working with good people, day in and day out.

There were two particularly high points over the past year. The first was the North Carolina Mitzvah Heroes Conference where we introduced hundreds of people to many of our Mitzvah heroes. Immediately after that conference we were excited to hear of new programs that were being organized as a result of that special weekend.

The second highlight was the February HeroIsrael II Mitzvah trip. We were privileged to take a group to Israel in a way that very few people can say that they have experienced. We were entertained in the private homes of some of our Israeli Mitzvah heroes and shown such immense appreciation for our presence and our support that, in truth, we walked away feeling embarrassed and confused. Why are they thanking us? We had the luxury of leaving Israel after ten days to return to the relative safety of the United States, while they endure the threat of terrorist attacks on a daily basis.

Those were the extremely high points. Our trips to Israel over the past year were filled with incredibly moving experiences. There is very little that can compare to being able to transform someone’s life, and it has been the generosity of you, our donors, that has allowed us that awesome privilege.

In closing, I would have to say one further thing. This work has taught me one very special lesson — “There is no such thing as a small Mitzvah.” I have come to know that what Ziv does best is this “small Mitzvah,” which is in no way small at all.

It is an honor to work together with Danny and Arnie. I am thankful daily for the privilege of doing God’s work. It is both profound and humbling.