The Hebrew word shalhevet means “flame,” and it is often adopted by Jewish groups as the name of their project. We cannot, however, think of a more appropriate name for “our” Shalhevet. The force behind Shalhevet in Jerusalem is the diminutive and very dynamic Miriam Freier — a visionary with a bright flame burning within her, a flame dedicated to providing independent housing for disabled adults who have never had the opportunity to live on their own. Against great odds, Miriam worked tirelessly to get government support for her project, to find a suitable property that could be adapted to the special needs of the disabled residents and, of course, to raise the funds for such a huge project. Today, Shalhevet, the building, stands nearly complete with 13 residents living either totally independently or with a care-taker. It is a beautiful place with a flame of hope that burns brightly in its center. We are honored to be part of Miriam’s dream and only wish that more Shalhevets could rise in Israel.

[Shalhevet-Housing for the Handicapped, Miriam Freier, Chel Nashim 5, Jerusalem, 93320, Israel, phone/fax: 02-563-1604, Zerem@zahav.net.il]

II. SPECIAL AGENTS/INDIVIDUAL AND ANONYMOUS SUPPORT ($72,900.63)

Agents — In the U.S. and in Israel

A. In the U.S.

Over this past year the work that we do as agents on behalf of individuals with specific emergency needs continues to grow. Though it is one of the most time-consuming parts of a day’s work, it is in many ways also the most rewarding. We rely on several people, some of them our very own Mitzvah heroes, who work on the frontlines and act as our “eyes and ears,” bringing specific needs to our attention. Without a doubt, many of these needs are quite basic — help with utility bills, extra funds for food, a small subsidy to underwrite some car insurance premium, without which an individual might have to stop working, as he or she would no longer have transportation. One of the most critical needs we were able to meet this past year involved the Mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim/ransoming captives. A close friend reported to us that the lives of many family members living in a war-torn African country were in danger and they needed to be quickly airlifted out of that region. With the addition of our funds to those that were already collected, several people made their way to freedom and safety in a matter of days.

B. In Israel

While Israel continues to struggle with the ongoing war and growing economic turmoil, the needs we are learning about are often-times critical and life-saving. Our agents are frequently social workers who deal daily with the dual problems of poverty and survivors of terror. Of course, both of these are not mutually exclusive but, it has become abundantly clear that many, many survivors were poor prior to being injured and the trauma of being in an attack has not lessened their difficult economic situations, but rather made them worse. So many of the people we have helped are suffering from post-traumatic stress which can be as devastating (or even worse) than a physical injury. In all cases, we get involved only after it has been determined that other sources of help, be they government or private, have been fully investigated.

To give you, our donors, an idea of where we have channeled agent’s funds this past year consider the following:

• LG is an older woman who lives with several disabled adult children in an apartment that is literally falling down around her. The ceiling is being held up by poles and each day pieces of plaster fall into the food that she is cooking on the stovetop. She does not have enough money to pay for the repairs which will require tens of thousands of dollars, nor can she afford to pay her utility bills. We stepped in to cover some of those bills.

• 13-year-old M was shot at in a drive-by shooting and was seriously injured in the arm. He has had several operations and the injuries are improving. Psychologically, however, he has not had an easy time and has fallen behind in his schoolwork. Also, taking notes in school has become difficult due to his injury. With our help, a laptop computer was purchased for him to use for note-taking in class and a tutor was found to help him catch up on his subjects so that he will not be kept back. M’s mother is a single parent, working hard but unable to provide these necessary items. Other outside resources have provided M and his family with additional help.

• L. is a married woman who was standing beside a bus when it exploded. Though she was not in the bus and incurred only minor scrapes, she is suffering from post-traumatic stress. Her husband recently lost his job at about the same time she delivered a baby. They had absolutely no equipment for this baby. We stepped in and provided, with the help of a donor, all of the baby supplies she needed including formula, crib, carriage, dresser, and clothes.

IV. ISRAEL: ZIV’S RESPONSE TO POVERTY AND HUNGER

A. Hunger in Israel ($20,271.64)

The news coming out of Israel this past year was not focused solely on the ongoing war and its victims. This year a new and critically important topic surfaced — hunger. Most authorities agree that while there is enough food produced in Israel to feed every citizen, the problem is that many people cannot afford to buy the food that they need. This is further complicated by the fact that despite the many organizations dedicated to feeding hungry people, there is no central body to coordinate those efforts. In the past, hunger was a problem faced only by those on the lower end of the economic scale. Today, hunger is spreading to the middle class. Statistics show that 10% of those who request aid are from the middle class. What we find so interesting about all of these numbers is that many of our own Mitzvah heroes involved with feeding hungry people reported these same issues to us some time ago. They did not need a study to uncover what was happening right in front of them — people are hungry, kids are going to school hungry and more and more people are coming to them for help.

Ziv has been involved in the fight against hunger on several different fronts. Of course, we continue to support those Mitzvah heroes who have always worked to feed hungry people—the Rabbanit Kapach, Tova Cohen, more recently Lev Ramot, Beit Frankforter’s Savtas and Sandwiches Program, Table to Table, and others. Over the past year we have also worked with a school principal in Jerusalem who has identified children whose families cannot pay for the mid-day hot lunch that schools serve. Our funds were used to underwrite several children’s meals. We have also purchased very large quantities of supermarket scrip which Arnie distributes to individuals and families who do not have sufficient funds of their own to keep the refrigerator stocked.

*B. Party Fare ($12,600.00)

Hardly a night goes by in Jerusalem without some sort of Simcha celebration…..weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, a bris or ,simchat bat…catering halls are nearly always busy preparing and serving huge quantities of delicious food. What happens to the leftovers? In many cases, they are just thrown into the garbage. Some caterers, however, have agreed to work with Moshe Koth and his all volunteer organization, Lev Ramot. Since 1990, Moshe and his volunteers have been visiting generous catering halls, packing up the leftovers as soon as they become available, and then immediately deliver the food to the doorsteps of families and individuals who have been previously identified by the city’s social services. No one ever gets to meet face-to-face…dignity and respect for each recipient is a critical piece of how Moshe runs his program. When catered food is not available, Lev Ramot will purchase and deliver chickens, canned goods, whatever is needed. On other occasions, Lev Ramot will provide food for a simcha when those celebrating do not have the funds to buy their own. We are struck by Moshe’s gentle demeanor and the very low-key way that he goes about his work. For many, many people he is an angel in disguise.

[Lev Ramot, c/o Moshe Koth, Schechtman St. 6, Jerusalem 97225, 02-586-1456, cellphone: 052-864-507. Assistant: Dr. Ron Schleifer, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan Israel, 03-532-8189 (o), 02-586-8714 (h), schleir@mail.biu.ac.il .]

*C. Kids in the Kitchen ($180.00)

The Re’ut Soup Kitchen, known as Bayit Cham, was started by students at the Re’ut Middle School and High School in Jerusalem who were responding to a news article about poverty in Israel. The program is run completely by the students, with a staff supervisor, and operates throughout the year. Over 400 people are provided a full meal three days each week. In addition, take home packages are given out on Thursdays which include challah and wine to help people celebrate Shabbat, and special holiday packages are given out before each major holiday. Once a month packages of toiletries are given out as well. Our donation was used to purchase supplies for the soup kitchen. We applaud these students who saw a need and felt that they could not sit idly by and ignore it. Yishar Koach!

[Re’ut Soup Kitchen-Bayit Cham, 28 Rachel Immeinu St., Jerusalem, 93228 Attn: Dr. Aryeh Geiger, Head of School, 02-566-7374, fax: 02-563-5981, aryehgeiger@yahoo.com .]

D. Chicken Galore ($5,500.00)

93 years young and she never stops — Clara Hammer’s work feeding hungry people in Israel is still going strong. In each of our visits this past year, the Chicken Lady, as we and others affectionately call her, continues to astound us with her seemingly limitless energy and devotion to people who have just not got enough to eat. Clara’s own history of hunger and deprivation while growing up in Europe and then in Palestine, has never left her memory. It is what keeps her focused on the needs at hand. Today, Israel is experiencing one of the worst periods of economic distress in its history. Clara reports a never-ending stream of phone calls and letters seeking help. On a weekly basis, more than 160 families report to her butcher, Mr. Hacker, for Shabbat chickens and chopped meat (or vegetarian food if they so desire). On a monthly basis, hundreds of families from Jerusalem as well as other parts of the country, receive a beautiful Chodesh Tov (good month) card along with a check. This is pure Tikkun Olam—no overhead, no frills, no fancy computer (her “hard drive” is the 10 file boxes filled with all of her donors’ names sitting on her dining room table). The money comes in and the food goes out to feed hungry people. It is that simple. As is our custom—we wish this grand woman another 120 years of Mitzvahs and good health!

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

E. Making Money Count ($12,500.00)

Knowing the critical nature of interest-free loans from Biblical times, and the incredible value of every dollar invested, Dr. Eliezer Jaffe founded the Israel Free Loan Association (IFLA) 13 years ago. A recent e-mail from Dr. Jaffe reported the following astounding IFLA statistics:

As of January 1, 2004, the Israel Free Loan Association has extended 21,304 loans totaling $40,738,190. In addition, they have received donations of $5,250,357 for outright grants to individuals in need.

Each year, Ziv donates to IFLA, and our statistics are no less impressive: $34,960 donated, $229,700 loaned out as 216 loans…a 657% return on our Tzedakah “investment”! To quote Dr. Jaffe, “You don’t get returns like this on Wall Street.” We couldn’t agree more when he writes, “A great way to give Tzedakah.”

As the war in Israel continues, and many sectors of the economy suffer, we become more and more aware of the extreme importance of programs like IFLA. For many Israelis, an interest-free loan is the solution that allows them to function in their daily lives.

IFLA is a model free-loan program, dedicated to treating borrowers with dignity and operating exceptionally efficiently with a minimal operating overhead.

For years, Dr. Jaffe has been an important guide for us on many issues of Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam. Professor Emeritus and retired chairman of the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work at Hebrew University, he has a profound understanding of society’s needs and the interplay of Tzedakah organizations, Mitzvah heroes, individuals, and government to meet those needs. His book, Giving Wisely, is a must reference, and even more so, the website www.givingwisely.org.il, which contains regular supplements and updates on non-profit organizations in Israel.

[IFLA, c/o Dr. Eliezer Jaffe, 37 Azza St., Jerusalem, home phone: 02-563-7450, mselijaf@pluto.mscc.huji.ac.il, www.freeloan.org.il. IFLA: 64 Azza St., POB 4579, 02-563-0248, fax: 566-9504. Tax-deductible contributions through Ziv.]

Ziv is a member of The International Association of Hebrew Free Loans (IAHFL). To explore establishing such a free-loan society in your community, contact Mark Meltzer, President of the IAHFL, 323-761-8841, mark@jfla.org, or visit the website, www.freeloan.org .

F. People In Your Neighborhood ($17,365.22)

We continue to work with Zev Birger, husband of the late Trudi Birger, in his special work that provides basic needs for several families living in the Romema neighborhood in Jerusalem. Many years ago, Trudi was asked to help a number of families who were living in desperate poverty. With her typical energy, Trudi worked closely with each family, learning what their needs were and then finding the resources for them. One principle which guided her throughout was the importance of education for the children in these families. Without education, Trudi knew that the cycle of poverty would continue to the next generation. More than 250 children were touched, in some way, by Trudi’s wisdom and care. Today, many of them are professionals with families of their own and none of them have forgotten that diminutive woman with a fire that burned within her. With every dollar that we send to Zev, we know that someone is being kept warm, being clothed in a Menschlich way, has food to put on the table — all of life’s basic needs. This is one of the most gratifying projects that we work with. Many of our readers have even “adopted” a family and send a certain amount of money each month to help with expenses. Please be in touch with us if you would like to “make the difference.”

[Donations for the families: contact Zev Birger directly, 2 HaMeyasdim St., Jerusalem, home phone: 02-643-6628, zevb@netvision.net.il .]

G. Beit Frankforter ($13,100.00)

Walking into Beit Frankforter, one of Jerusalem’s finest day centers for Elders, is always a special treat. The bustling activity on all four floors of this building is a marvel to watch. On one floor, you can peek in as a session in armchair aerobics or Feldenkreiss is being taught. On another, a group of gentlemen are engaged in serious Torah study, a second group is taking Hebrew Ulpan or, perhaps, learning the basics of computer technology so they can communicate with their children or grandchildren, near and far. One entire floor is devoted to leisure activities—some of the most spirited card games are held in the game room with a smattering of French or Hebrew or Farsi bandied about, and the crafts workshop is often filled with talented artists painting, knitting, crocheting or hammering copperplate. (The attached Beit Frankforter store sells most of these lovely creations.) You can also visit the medical clinic where a volunteer dentist provides care, massage therapists work their special talents and a medical doctor sometimes offers on-site visits. To finish it off, Beit Frankforter offers a delicious home-cooked hot meal daily, as well as transportation to and from the center.

Over the past year or so, many of Beit Frankforter’s savtas/Grandmothers have been engaged in a special project — preparing sandwiches for local schoolchildren whose families cannot afford to send them with this mid-morning snack. This fine inter-generational project is one of our favorites among Beit Frankforter’s huge array of activities. It has been our privilege to watch the savtas in this work — they are clearly excited about what they are providing. (This is an excellent project for Hebrew schools to adopt—the cost of a sandwich is about 75 cents.)

Our donations this past year have been used to provide ongoing animal-assisted therapy (AAT) as well as to underwrite part of the sandwich program.

[Beit Frankforter, Sima Zini, Executive Director, 80 Derech Bet Lechem, POB 10074, Jerusalem, Israel, 02-671-4848, frankfor@netvision.net.il, Sheila Becker, PR, 050-573-508.]

H. From The Old Country ($8,800.00)

Rabbi Jonathan Porath studied the Russian language for a few years when he was a student at Brandeis University in the Sixties. He was one of the first to travel to the Former Soviet Union (Russia, then) in the days of the KGB, secret meetings with Jews, fear, and extreme repression. Little did he suspect then how critical a role he would play today both in the FSU and in Israel. Many years ago, Rabbi Porath made Aliyah, and has been working for the Joint Distribution Committee (known as “the Joint”), traveling to the FSU many times a year to establish and invigorate a number of existing programs. In Israel, Rabbi Porath serves as our agent for finding individuals, mostly immigrants from the FSU with unmet needs. All have very specific needs, such as food, medical necessities, household goods or educational materials...readily solvable problems that a donation from Ziv can eliminate.

Rabbi Porath and I have known each other for 45 years. I offer the same blessing as last year: May we all be blessed to have lifelong friends who remain part of the Grand Mitzvah Network.

[Keren Klitat Aliya Neve Orot, Rabbi Jonathan Porath, Nerot Shabbat St. 623/10, Ramot Alef, Jerusalem, 02-586-8757, cellphone: 054-979-589, fax: 02-561-0491, jporath@jdc.org.il .]

*I. Table to Table ($900.00)

Getting leftover food from point A to point B is what Meschulchan Leschulchan/Table-to-Table is all about. Started only a little more than one year ago by American-born Joseph Gitler, Table to Table is dedicated to the retrieval and distribution of leftovers from Israel’s caterers, restaurants, company cafeterias and hotels, to agencies involved in feeding hungry people. Inspired by groups such as City Harvest in New York City, Gitler put his career on hold while still in his late 20’s, and has devoted himself full-time to making this dream a reality. The recent addition of a refrigerated truck has further enabled the group to collect food from army bases, farmers and other large purveyors of food. Though operating originally in the Tel Aviv region, this past winter Table to Table expanded its operation to the Jerusalem area. Utilizing the internet to gather volunteers who make the nightly pick-ups, Gitler’s organization is helping to meet the increased demand for food in an Israeli economy that has seen the rise of hunger insecurity.

[Joseph Gitler, Achad Ha’am 54, Ra’anana 43211, Phone/fax 09-744-0313, cell: 058-763-516, gitsky@zahav.net.il, www.tabletotable.org.il .]

V. ISRAEL: ZIV’S RESPONSE TO THE WAR

A. The Fund for the IDF 5th Regiment ($10,205.44)

Behind the news stories that appeared after Israel’s battle in Jenin in the spring of 2002, were real people, people who lost their lives, people who incurred serious injuries, families that were left without fathers, husbands, brothers. The Fund for the IDF 5th Regiment-5 (IDF=Israel Defense Forces) was started by a group of soldiers in that unit on behalf of those who fought in Jenin, as well as those who served in the 5th Regiment in earlier times. In addition to providing many different types of support to families who have lost a loved one, the group is also involved in finding jobs for reserve soldiers who have become unemployed due to the economic downturn in Israel. We are very impressed with the work they are doing, and also with the gentle, caring, and creative way in which they do it. Major Rafi Laderman, third in command in Jenin, and the manager of the Fund, recently wrote us about the group’s latest activities, which include living monuments such as community centers and synagogues dedicated to the memory of specific fallen soldiers.

We highly recommend a beautifully written book entitled, A Psalm in Jenin, by Brett Goldberg. Mr. Goldberg spent many months interviewing the soldiers who fought in this battle as well as their families. The result of those interviews is a very moving account of all that transpired before, during and after the battle ended. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Fund for the IDF 5th Regiment’s work.

Our donation was used to provide support for the families.

[Rafi Laderman, The Fund for the IDF 5th Regiment, (Aguda LeMa’an Hativa 5), 5b Moshe Dayan St., Kfar Saba 44539, Israel, 09-766-0317, cellphone: 055-247-979, fax: 057-768-0148, info@amuta5.org.il, www.amuta5.org.il. (Hebrew website. Click on right-hand menu, “About the Association” to get to the English translation.)]

B. The Gift of Comfort ($7,954.00)

My social worker told me about you. I have no words to describe the devotion and patient help I am getting treated by my therapist. I am getting reflexology and massage and I can’t say how much it helps heal the pain. I wish there were many like you in Israel. Be blessed from this story above.

Thank God that due to the treatments, I have returned to life. May you and those who are supporting you receive a blessing from the heavens.

L

As the war in Israel continues, many individuals have organized unique and meaningful ways to address the pain and suffering felt by the thousands who have been injured in terror attacks. One such individual was Ruth Shlossman, a Jerusalemite, who recognized the value of “alternative” therapies such as massage and reflexology. Now recognized as an official Amuta (non-profit) in Israel, Gift of Comfort enlists the talents of professional massage therapists who donate their services. Any victim (or family member) who wishes, is entitled to ten free sessions. We believe that the preceding letter sent to Gift of Comfort by a terror victim best explains the impact such therapy can have.

[The Gift of Comfort, Ruth Schlossman, Rechov Chabad 13/19, Old City, Jerusalem 97500, 02-627-3938, rshlossman@WatershedAssociates.com. In the U.S., toll-free number: 1-866-583-5272.]

*C. A Penny For Your Mitzvahs ($500.00)

Inspired by Elie Wiesel’s comment, “One of the greatest lessons my father taught me was to give,” Emily Dubois, a high school senior in Palo Alto, California, and member of the local United Synagogue Youth chapter, knew she had to do something about the ongoing war in Israel where many of her relatives live. Her response was the “1.5 Million Penny Drive.” With many family members murdered in the Holocaust, Emily’s decision to raise 1.5 million pennies honors the memory of the 1,500,000 children who were killed by the Nazis. Fifteen synagogues and five day schools (both local and national) have participated in her drive and recently Emily spoke to 450 students at a nearby Catholic school, where her message was positively received by the student body. 100% of the funds collected are being transferred to Israelis who have been personally affected by terrorist attacks and are having difficulty in providing the most basic needs for themselves and their families. Now close to the $13,000 mark, Emily hopes to reach her goal ($15,000) by the end of the school year. This is a fabulous project for individuals, families or religious schools — just set out a jug and watch the loose change pile up — it is that simple and powerful.

[1.5 Million Penny Drive, Emily Dubois, 715 DeSoto Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94303, 650-948-7498 (Congregation Kol Emeth), esd2u@aol.com, http://esd2u.pledgepage.org .]

D. ATZUM-Justice Works ($75,932.15)

As we shared in last year’s report, Atzum was started by our good friend, Rabbi Levi Lauer. ATZUM’s mandate is to help those people who have been impacted by terror attacks (particularly those prior to the start of the current war in 2000), as well as to offer support to foreign workers in Israel, and to the dozens of impoverished righteous gentiles who are living in Israel. Our donation was sent to us as donor-recommended contributions. We are particularly impressed with ATZUM’s devotion to the needs of victims from earlier attacks. It was not until the current war started that a concerted response to the needs of terror victims became organized. The needs of those people injured and impacted by earlier attacks are no less important.

[ATZUM-Justice Works, Rabbi Levi D. Lauer, POB 8695, Jerusalem 91086 Israel, 02-566-9343 (h), 02-561-8641(w), info@atzum.org. In the US, c/o Ellen Singer, PO Box 252, Youngsville, New York 12791, info@atzum.org, www.atzum.org .]

One Community’s Response to Israel Today

We cannot help but applaud the incredible work being done by the Five Synagogues Israel Action Committee [of White Plains, NY] (joined today by other synagogues in nearby communities). Since the start of the war in Israel more than three years ago this dedicated group of synagogues representing several denominations within Judaism, has worked tirelessly in support of Israel. They have provided informative speakers, encouraged the purchase of Israeli products (like beautiful roses), raised funds for the purchase of a fluoroscope for a Jerusalem hospital, collected and delivered to Israel huge amounts of brand new children's clothing, toiletries, school supplies, vast quantities of beanie babies that have been distributed to kids in local hospitals by Sivan, the Mitzvah clown, and much, much more. Our connection to this incredible group has been one of tremendous gratification. Working primarily with George Greene and Ella Badin, Eric Mandel and John Lightstone, the committee’s co-chairs, we have accomplished things we never thought possible. Due to George’s enthusiasm, the Rabbanit Kapach has been the recipient of more than 100 wedding gowns to lend to brides who cannot afford their own. Thanks to the power of the internet, gowns have been shipped to George by Jews and Christians alike from all over this country.

One might ask how all of these items get to Israel. It is one thing to get the items donated, but quite another to actually get them delivered. The answer to that is the enormous dedication of the residents of these communities who have signed on to be “Mitzvah couriers.” A courier traveling to Israel agrees to carry one extra bag, lovingly packed and delivered to the courier by George or Ella. Upon arrival, the courier can either deliver the package personally or make one phone call to a Ziv representative, who will pick up the bag’s contents from the hotel concierge. It is that simple…and, it is something that we have been urging others to do for years. It was the White Plains group that made this particular Mitzvah happen and we are thrilled. No one should travel to Israel today with just one bag. From school supplies, clothing, towels, toys, small housewares, children’s books…the list is endless.

In response to the hunger crisis in Israel, the committee is not only raising funds for specific hunger programs such as the Rabbanit’s extensive Pesach food distribution, but John Lightstone, whom we can only describe as one very determined man, is working directly with Israeli officials to promote the passage of an Israeli version of the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Law (which eliminates liability in the donation of food).

We must also share the story of the great Hanukkah toy fund that was started this past December by one of the community’s dedicated members who wanted to make kids happy in Israel during the holiday. After sending e-mails to a number of his friends and relatives, he managed to collect far more than he thought possible — literally thousands of dollars were raised to buy toys, dolls, stuffed animals, doll houses, bicycles…it was an amazing experience. (And Arnie and Merrill had the best time doing all of the shopping!)

The folks in White Plains stand ready to advise any other communities that wish to organize a comprehensive program on behalf of Israel. Kol HaKavod/Right on! to everyone in White Plains and the surrounding communities. You stand as special examples of Klal Yisrael.

[Five Synagogues Israel Action Committee, 20 Greenridge Avenue, White Plains, NY, 10606, Attn. John Lightstone, co-chair, 914-948-3095, iac@cloud9.com, www.whiteplainsforisrael.org .]

VI. COME FLY WITH US

Good morning Naomi,

I want to express a big thank you to you and Danny for sharing with us, with me, the beautiful work you do with equally incredible people. Seeing so much love and care from you to them, and them to anyone who needs it, makes me feel confident that the world has not gone completely to pot, although listening to the news one isn't too sure. It will forever stay in my memory as the best trip I ever took.

We received this e-mail shortly after the return of our February trip to Israel with HeroIsrael III. This year, we were joined on our grand rounds of our Israel Mitzvah heroes by 33 other travelers, most from Temple Emanu-El of Dallas, Texas. Included in the group were Rabbis David Stern and Debbie Robbins (herself, a participant of last year’s trip and a former Ziv intern). What a special time we had. It was particularly exciting to see the faces of the first-timers who were mesmerized by the Israel that they saw before their very eyes. Wasting no time once we landed, this group was on the run from our first moving Kiddush and Shehecheyanu at the Tayelet overlooking Jerusalem, to our farewell dinner at Moshe Basson’s new soup kitchen, Carmei Ha’ir (see II:P). Thanks to the creativity of Rabbis Stern and Robbins, each participant was given a journal to record not only what they were seeing each day but also their feelings about the sights and sounds around them. Unfortunately, this group was not spared when it came to seeing, first-hand, the terror that surrounds the average Israeli on a daily basis. While eating breakfast on the last day of most of our participants’ stay, we had to share with them news of the early morning bombing of the 14a bus — just two blocks from our hotel. Most of them realized that that attack occurred on a street that they had passed through numerous times during their stay. They realized with stunning clarity that two of the people they had met on this trip — Amalia Oren, head social worker at Shaare Zedek Hospital, and Danny Tourjeman, a survivor of the Moment Café bombing two years ago, were each in their own way, responding to this latest attack. Suddenly, the reports they usually picked up from the 11:00 p.m. news were very real — these attacks happen anywhere and at any time and no one can predict whose life may be changed by them. When we drove past the site only two and a half hours later, most were shocked to see that virtually nothing remained as evidence of the tragedy that unfolded there only hours before. The streets were washed clean, the crowds had nearly cleared — all that remained were a few news cameras and a now-growing memorial of flowers and candles to remember the lives cut short so recently. This is life in Israel today and our travelers will most likely never forget this part of their trip.

Despite the sadness they felt that morning, we do believe that with the passage of time those images will be replaced by the very vivid faces and voices of our Mitzvah heroes. It is their stories we hope they will share with their friends and families, for they are the real Israel.

We look forward to HeroIsrael IV next year. We know that this type of trip, unlike any other, can be a life-changing experience. Be in touch with Naomi now, if you would be interested in taking part in our next adventure. We are planning to return to Israel next February though, depending upon interest, may also take a group in late Fall.

VII. ZIV’S WISH LIST

A. An Assistant for Naomi: Ziv has grown so much and so quickly, the work has become overwhelming for one person to manage these operations. We are looking for funding to hire an additional person to take on some of the office responsibilities which will, in turn, free her for other more critical work on Ziv’s behalf. We will not hire another person until we receive special funding, as it has been Ziv’s practice to make every attempt not to take salaries from our general contributions.

B. Special Funding for Ziv Summer Intern Program: The intern program is clearly one of the most important aspects of Ziv’s work. We appreciate anyone who might want to underwrite this particular project on our behalf.

C. Special Funding for Ziv Fellow Program: Merrill Alpert has proven the invaluable nature of having an individual in Israel for a year, taking in all aspects of our work, and, in turn, contributing time, effort, personal creativity and resources to Ziv. We want very much to continue this program in the future.

D. Funding for Other Ziv Special Projects: We often have other “special projects” that arise during the course of the year. If you are interested in being “on call” to fund one of these aspects of our work, please contact Naomi.

E. Air Miles: The Ziv Mitzvah Heroes Conferences have been successful beyond our wildest dreams. The donation of air miles would benefit us immeasurably by getting our heroes to the conference sites. Many people have come forward with miles. Our need continues. (On occasion, tickets are also used for Naomi to attend important conferences.) If you can donate these essential air miles, please contact Naomi. Donated air tickets obviously free up money for contributions to our Mitzvah heroes and projects. (Please note: The donation must be a minimum number of miles for a complete domestic or international air ticket.)

VIII. FOR KIDS, BY KIDS, ABOUT KIDS

A. A School for Iqbal ($1,734.61)

Readers of this report are familiar with the story of the students at Quincy, Massachusetts’, Broad Meadows School. What started ten years ago, has evolved into an effective and dedicated effort on behalf of underprivileged and enslaved children throughout the world. In 1994, Broad Meadows students met Iqbal Masih, a young Pakistani child who had been released from a life of weaving intricate carpets while chained to a loom. Iqbal made a passionate plea against child labor in a school assembly, and when the students learned, several months later, that Iqbal had been gunned down upon his return to Pakistan, they felt that they had to do something to keep his memory alive. So began the crusade. What started as a campaign to raise funds for a schoolhouse in Iqbal’s remote village, has evolved into one of the most successful youth-managed activism projects in the country. The students have addressed global and national bodies and received many, many awards for their work. This much-abbreviated report sent recently by Ron Adams, the group’s dedicated teacher/guide describes just how effective these kids have been:

Students in one middle school might seem limited in what they can do to help bring education and nutrition to children globally who are at risk of being forced into abusive child labor. From 1994 to 1998, students of the Broad Meadows Middle School formed “The Kids’ Campaign” and raised over $147,000 and established a “School for Iqbal Masih” in Pakistan. That school has now grown to be ten schools in Pakistan. From 1998 to 2003, the Broad Meadows students have been working in a project called “Operation Day’s Work-USA” with a dozen or so other U.S. schools each year. The goal is to repeat the lessons learned building the “School for Iqbal.” Each school year since 1998, Operation Day’s Work builds a school in a developing country. As a result hundreds of children now go to school in Bangladesh, Nepal, Haiti, El Salvador, and Ethiopia.

We remain in awe of just how dedicated and effective these kids have been. It is truly our honor to be able to give them the tools to help them complete their work. Our donations are used to purchase stationery supplies, postage and other items used to facilitate their efforts.

[A School for Iqbal, c/o Ron Adams, Broad Meadows Middle School, 50 Calvin Rd., Quincy, MA 02169, 617-984-8723, endchlabor@aol.com, www.mirrorimage.com/iqbal/index.html .]

*B. The Million Quarter Project ($2,000.00)

Rabbi Joel Soffin recently returned from an exciting trip to Ethiopia where he saw, first-hand, the extreme hunger and poverty that has ravaged those who live in Addis Ababa and in Gondar, waiting for permission to emigrate to Israel. There are more than 25,000 Jews (including 4,600 children) living here in the most primitive conditions. The North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry (NACOEJ) runs the nearby compound and struggles mightily to provide just one meal a day to these people. After his visit, Rabbi Soffin reported that many of the children he met readily acknowledged that this one meal was not sufficient to satisfy their hunger. How could they possibly study or have hope in this desperate situation without sufficient food? When he was told that the meals everyone received (an orange, a carrot, a piece of bread, a ladle of beans, and 1 egg) cost only 25 cents — one quarter…the response was simple — create the Shalom Ethiopia-Million Quarter Project and feed these children more than one meal each day. When you think about what just one quarter buys in this country…maybe two sips of a cappuccino, 40% of a candy bar, or perhaps a few minutes on a parking meter…you realize just how simple this effort is to bring to completion. If every school and every household that reads this report sets up its own Tzedakah box just for this project, the goal would be reached in a very short time.

[Rabbi Joel Soffin, c/o Temple Shalom, 215 S. Hillside Ave., Succasunna, NJ 07876, 973-584-5666, rabbi@tshalom.org, www.shalomethiopia.org. Checks to be made out to “Shalom Ethiopia”.]

C. A Magical Camp in California ($1,000.00)

The students at Stanford University Hillel continue their outstanding work at Camp Kesem. We have supported their efforts since the camp’s inception more than three years ago. This special program, dedicated to the needs of children who have either lost a parent to cancer or have a parent currently battling the disease, is run entirely by students, who staff and fund-raise on its behalf. A perfect pairing of student power, idealism and real need. In the past three years more than 150 children have taken part in the camp’s programs and this coming summer they hope to attract another 90. With 45 student counselors, we do not doubt the love and support these campers will receive.

We also note that this past year saw the formation of Camp Kesem National — dedicated to replicating the California camp experience in other locations throughout the country.

[Camp Kesem, Hillel at Stanford, PO Box 20526, Stanford, CA 94309, 650-723-1603, fax: 725-8530, campkesem@yahoo.com, http://hillel.stanford.edu/kesemweb .]

D. Anything and Everything for School ($12,700.00)

An appeal and an opportunity….Frank and Faye Clarke work very hard to make the lives of children better. Here is their story: After seeing first hand the poor conditions and dearth of teaching materials in many of our country’s poor school districts, Frank and Faye gave up a comfortable retirement to establish Educate the Children. Based in Southern California, but operating throughout the country, ETC provides many different types of educational resources — books, computers, software, school supplies and whatever else is needed to enhance learning opportunities for children who are often neglected and underserved.

Many of the organization’s resources are donated by corporations and organizations upgrading computer equipment, school book publishers with overstock, or school districts upgrading or changing to new editions or equipment. If you know of availability of any of these items, please give Frank or Faye a call to facilitate a donation. Their work is critically important.

Now for the appeal and the opportunity, particularly to my friends in congregations in Southern California. Whenever I speak at a synagogue or JCC or Federation in the Los Angeles and San Diego area, Frank and Faye come as guests and tell their story. Congregants, and congregations as a group Mitzvah project, always respond by collecting equipment and materials for Educate the Children. Even though ETC operates in other parts of the country, I would ask the Southern California chevra to take the initiative, contact them — there’s really no need for me to be there to offer encouragement — begin small, medium, large, or massive campaigns on behalf of the schoolchildren who so desperately need these items. It is a grand opportunity, and a relatively simple one, to change so many lives.

[Educate the Children Foundation, 3635 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90817, Attn: Frank and Faye Clarke, phone: 562.216.1792 fax: 562.216.1797, fclarke@educatethechildren.net , frc@educatethechildren.net, www.educatethechildren.net .]

*E. Books for Kids — A Kid’s Solution ($180.00)

Jennifer Titche, a student in the religious school of Temple Emanuel, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has established quite an astonishing Mitzvah project, Dream Reading. It all began when she visited a local elementary school where she realized that she had more books in her own library than the school had in its library. This surprised and shocked her, and, as often happens with such insightful moments, it also opened her eyes to the possibility of doing something. Her response: Dream Reading, complete with a website, asks for donations of books and money for school libraries that, to her, just don’t have enough of what every kid should have to read. The first report that she mailed to donors and friends (potential donors), dated December, 2002, stated that she had received 200 donations, more than $6,700, and more than 400 books. To quote from her report, “My short term goal as of right now is to get $10,000.” Her second report, dated one year later, listed more than 340 donations totaling $11,026.65, and a new short-term goal of raising $20,000 during 2003. 1,263 new books and 1,426 used books had been donated. In that one year alone she increased the number of donated books by 2,299. This is very impressive indeed. More impressive is that Jennifer launched the project when she was 9 years old, a “mere” 4th-grader. Most impressive is my favorite line from the first report. “My long term goal is to help all the schools in the world that need help to get books in their libraries.” Her words are not only moving and inspirational, but worth considering as a more correct understanding of Tikkun Olam, because her idealism has led her to a plan of action. Idealism is only meaningful when it is tied to doing something to make the ideas and ideals real.

Dream Reading is now under the umbrella of the Student Advancement Foundation (SAF), the primary foundation for the Grand Rapids Public Schools.

[Dream Reading c/o SAF, 118 Commerce SW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, DreamReading401@aol.com, www.dreamreading.org. Checks made out to Dream Reading/SAF, and sent to the above address.]

F. Million Dollar Smile ($7,600.00)

Though our dear friend, Trudi Birger, passed away nearly two years ago, Dental Volunteers in Israel (DVI), the very special project that she founded in Jerusalem is thriving as her staff and her devoted husband, Zev, continue to