ZIV Tzedakah Fund 2005 Annual Report

I.To All Ziv Contributors and Friends - Shalom! Lechaim – to Life! For several years I have positioned this phrase throughout our Annual Report. Preparing to write my portion of the 2005 report of our year’s activities, I realized that this really is the essence of our work. People from throughout the country and beyond donate money to us so that we may support the work of our Mitzvah heroes. These Mitzvah heroes are our teachers in Tikkun Olam, they see, hear, and touch aspects of Life that we may have missed, and they put their mind, heart, and soul into their efforts to make Life good or better or even the best possible for thousands of individuals. And, they save lives that would otherwise have been lost. That is the way of Ziv.

The rest of our work, really, is only a process of finding the right tools, vehicles, and instruments for change. Initially, we published the Ziv Giraffe curriculum, and more recently, our video/DVD featuring eight of our Israeli Mitzvah heroes. As people use these tools, we marvel at the way others adapt them to their Tikkun Olam endeavors. We are very determined to next produce a video/DVD of our American Mitzvah heroes — its impact will certainly not be less than the Israel version. In the whirl of all of this activity we continue our HeroIsrael trips to Israel, Mitzvah hero conferences, and other seminars and gatherings and encounters with the Greats of Tikkun Olam. It is very exciting.

To a great extent, our growing audience is the result of not only friends who share their excitement about our work with others, but also, of course, the last century’s greatest invention — the Web. Whether people are searching for Bar and Bat Mitzvah projects, places to donate their Tzedakah money to, or just surf to pass the time of day, the internet has opened up an entirely new world for us. A particularly exciting development in the last two years has been the number of individuals and families of substantial Tzedakah means who have approached us and have found our Mitzvah heroes and projects to their liking. They have poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into a variety of Ziv programs — and we cannot help but believe that others will come to us as well to learn how to invest wisely, supplementing their own previously discovered Tzedakah recipients.

So, it is as simple as that — funds are donated to Ziv and from Ziv to Mitzvah heroes who go about doing their Tikkun Olam. We guide people to use their Tzedakah money efficiently and effectively; spreading the word Lechaim – to Life! a life filled with moments of Ziv/Radiance.

Summary of Ziv's Allocations:

4/13/81-3/31/04	4/1/04-3/31/05	Total to Date
$6,742,564.70	$1,867,109.50	$8,609,674.20

If you would like to support our work, please make checks payable to “Ziv Tzedakah Fund,” and mail them to:
Naomi Eisenberger, Managing Director
Ziv Tzedakah Fund
384 Wyoming Ave.
Millburn, NJ 07041
Please note: You are able to make online donations through our website — www.ziv.org (Click on the “Donate Now” icon in the upper right-hand corner.) The donations are handled through www.networkforgood.org, and there is a 3% charge on its part for this service.
The great majority of this report was written by Naomi. It is a huge task. Her eloquence describing our Mitzvah heroes and projects speaks for itself.
If you would like more copies of this Tzedakah report to share with others, please contact Naomi.
Also, please note our annual reminder: We are not taking requests for funding of additional programs. New projects are found at our own initiative. Please understand — we are a barebones administrative operation and could not possibly accept, study, and investigate fully all the requests that we would receive if we invited everyone to submit suggestions. We appreciate your understanding.
HOW TO READ THIS REPORT:
Veterans of our work will note immediately one very significant change in the layout of this report. After much discussion, it was decided that due to the ever-growing number of programs that we support, it might be easier for the reader if we divided the report into two distinct sections — one dedicated to programs in Israel and the second to programs in the United States and other parts of the world. We hope that this change is successful.
Special Note: Staying In Touch: We invite any of our readers who are interested in receiving occasional e-mail updates on new programs and ideas, to send your e-mail address to us. We anticipate sending these notices perhaps 5-6 times per year. If you would like to be included, please e-mail your internet address to naomi@ziv.org.
1. New programs that we have discovered this year have an asterisk (*).
2. In most cases where we have included direct quotes from a particular project, we have changed the names of people referred to within the e-mail.
3. Frequently, the total contribution any project receives may not necessarily reflect a single grant. More likely it is the sum-total of several checks issued over the course of the year. As more money comes in, we give it away. Also important to note, the total amount donated by Ziv to a particular project is not in any way a value judgment about that specific project itself in relation to other projects. Donation amounts can be affected by (a) money in the Ziv account at the time, (b) a project’s other financial resources, and (c) donor-designated contributions.
4. Unless otherwise specified (that they have an “American Friends of…” or similar organization) donations for Israeli projects may be sent to Ziv with a recommendation that it be used for that project.
5. Some of the projects could easily be categorized in more than one section.
6. Terminology: (A) Vocabulary relating to individuals with disabilities and gender terminology remain in flux, with little universal agreement. Words do make a difference. We are trying our best. (B) Some of the Hebrew words in the Report have many meanings. The following is the usage of our most frequent terms: Tzedakah-Performing Acts of Justice, Doing the Right Thing; Mitzvah-generally “a commandment”, here “A good deed”; Tzaddik, Tzadeket, a Good/Righteous Person; Tikkun Olam-Fixing the World, and Kavod-Dignity.
7. As we have done in the past, a few entries have been copied from last year’s Report. In several, we simply added the latest updates. (It is very difficult to think of new ways to sing the praises of our Mitzvah heroes and projects.)
8. A technical note about calls to Israel: When calling from the United States, 011 is the international hook-up, and 972 is the country code for Israel. For example, to reach Arnie Draiman’s cellphone, you dial 011-972-50-515-6776. With international calls, you do not include the zero in the area code. From within Israel, you do include the “0” of the area code: 050-515-6776.

II. SPECIAL AGENTS/INDIVIDUAL AND ANONYMOUS SUPPORT ($395,883.23)
There is no aspect of our work that is growing as rapidly and as significantly as our efforts with “special agents”…our eyes and ears on the front-lines in both the United States and in Israel. Special agents are often some of our Mitzvah heroes themselves, who see specific tangential needs with the people that they work with and share those needs with us. Often more time-consuming than any other aspect of our work, these needs can be as simple as paying a utility bill or providing some supermarket certificates so a family can eat properly. Some of the things we funded this past year included camp for children in a difficult home situation, supplementing rent and food expenses for an elderly Shoah survivor who lives on a very limited income… the list goes on. In addition, at extremely deep discounts we have been able to purchase large amounts of new clothing which are subsequently distributed through our projects to people in need. In each case, our actions make a profound difference. Further descriptions of this work will be found under the heading of Terror and Its Aftermath and in Arnie’s comments at the end of the Report.
ISRAEL
A. SPECIALLY-FEATURED HEROES AND PROJECTS
1. THE RABBANIT BRACHA KAPACH - ($47,499.84)
When asked to describe The Rabbanit Kapach, simple declarative sentences do not suffice. I usually have to begin with an emotive sound like, “Ah, The Rabbanit!” (With an exclamation mark.)
There are descriptive terms, of course, probably the most appropriate being Tzadeket, a righteous woman. “Dignified-yet-unpretentious” would be a good hyphenated compound. Warm, friendly — disarmingly so for one so famous. And while I think “inspiring” is overused, it fits the Rabbanit, as does “awesome”.
These are the facts — for decades feeding hungry people with stores of food on her balcony, with scrip for grocery stores, with checks, and cash, and food she herself has prepared; clothing people — including this year a storeroom full of clothes for survivors of the tsunami catastrophe; providing new brides with a wedding, a gown and a “hope chest” filled with sheets and towels and other things every bride wants and needs; making a Bar Mitzvah for a youngster whose family cannot afford to do this themselves; for more than 40 years providing Pesach food packages — last year for more than 6,000 families (over 20,000 people!), 40+ years of a camp for kids who have very little and no hope otherwise for summer fun. (The Rabbanit recently shared that her first campers are now bringing their grandchildren!) It seems like she has seen every kind of human misery and want and yet she remains undaunted. All this, in addition to conducting a weekly Shiur/Torah session for elderly woman in the neighborhood, touring foreign countries with two busloads of friends along for the ride….These are the reasons why I begin my response, “Ah, The Rabbanit!...”
A typical event in her Life of Mitzvahs happens on Friday morning when one of her many grandsons hauls in cases of canned goods, challot, rice, oil, and sugar. Many friends in his community have arranged with the local market to be automatically billed for their contribution to this food. Whatever the total number of shekels the market has on record — that’s how much he spends to bring food to his grandmother for distribution to individuals and families in need. Just the normal way of things.
Then there is the lyrical: One thinks of words like uhz–Ziv/radiance in her presence, and listening to her words, one thinks, “Ah, this is the meaning of Chochma/wisdom.
And the existential: This is why we were put here on this earth and given this blessing called Life.
And the theological: When The Rabbanit says, “Life is Mitzvahs,” one listens with all one’s heart. If you want to see the true meaning of the Talmudic principle that we are God’s partners in Tikkun Olam, go to 12 Lod St. in Jerusalem and spend a day with the Rabbanit.
And finally, the mysterious: her age — 75? 78? 82? After some mental calculations, one of her grandsons gave me the true number, but I won’t tell. Instead, we wish her many more years of Mitzvahs - until 120 may she continue her Tzedakah endeavors. Amen.
[The Rabbanit Bracha Kapach, 12 Lod St., Jerusalem, phone: 02-624-9296. She has incorporated her work as “Keren Segulat Naomi”]

2. ISRAEL NATIONAL THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOCIATION — INTRA ($65,659.00)
Anita helps those who may never have left their house again to regain their life. I believe that this also allows them to regain their faith. I believe that this work has God in focus.
I have decided to make a donation to INTRA as part of my Bat Mitzvah project. I have selected this organization as my lifetime mitzvah project because the work has shown me a different way to overcome problems in life. I would like to visit and help on the farm so that I can be a part of this mitzvah and do “Tikun Olam” with horses as a tool.
So wrote a recent Bat Mitzvah who is especially fond of riding and horses. We think that her description captures much of the essence of what Anita Shkedi and those who work with her at the Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association actually accomplish in their program. Therapeutic horseback riding works in this way: The horse’s movement most closely replicates that of the human, and by sitting on a horse in either the traditional manner or some other position, muscles and nerves can be stimulated in ways that no “traditional” therapy can achieve. The results are often spectacular. The number of disabilities that can be helped is great: head injuries, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, blindness, learning disabilities, autism, hearing impairments, mental challenges —the list goes on and on.
Our work with Anita and Giora is always exciting. Through our collaboration, many civilian survivors of terror attacks have been helped to regain both their physical and mental well-being, and more recently Bar and Bat Mitzvah students have partnered and now sponsor lessons for some of these individuals as well as for soldiers who have been injured while in the line of duty. An added benefit to this particular program is that often the students develop an online relationship with the soldiers they are sponsoring. We recently learned of another Bar Mitzvah student who is about to underwrite the purchase of a new horse to be used at the Center.
The responses Anita gets from survivors of terror attacks who ride at the center are always very moving. The benefits, both physical and emotional, were recently reported by a social worker:
[The B family] is so thrilled with the horseback riding. They were in awe of what they watched and had a wonderful time. They also met someone else they know there … victims of terror whose daughter is being treated there… she [the mother] was raving about her daughter's progress and how wonderful everyone is there... Also 10 yr old S. who just started riding was in awe of the talent and kept saying, "I want to be as good as they are. I have to work real hard here to become a great rider too." It was such a positive experience for them all around. Also just the surroundings are so very pretty...
INTRA is also facilitating several riding programs with kids-at-risk. Anita has observed many who come to work at the stables and interact with seriously disabled riders. They quickly learn that there are others worse off than they are. It costs $1,500 for a year of riding for one of these kids and the benefits are often profound.
Traveling to Israel? Make this one of your stops. You will not be disappointed — the sea, the blue sky, the horses and the riders will provide a moving experience.
[INTRA-Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association-Mitzvah Horses, Anita and Giora Shkedi, Hadassah Neurim, Hadassah Village, 40298, Israel, Giora’s cellphone: 054-464-5886 Anita’s cellphone: 054-720-5886, the phone at Hadassah Center: 09-866-6305, intra@012.net.il, www.intra.org.il.]
No one is lonely when doing a mitzvah. For a Mitzvah is where God and man meet.
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
3. BAYIT CHAM ($38,800.00)
There are often downsides to Tikkun Olam work: financial and human resources are limited, a person’s involvement is frequently determined by personal interest, and physical and emotional dangers from exposure to situations which are often too intense. Almost universally, programs that work with people who have had serious mental or emotional distress receive the least attention.
Shmuel Munk and Yoram Mordechai, founders of Bayit Cham, accepted this challenge when they established this marvelous program. Bayit Cham’s purpose is relatively simple: to find meaningful work for their people in the open marketplace as a significant step towards personal rehabilitation. And they succeed — far beyond any normal scale of expectation. 250 people are working and, in the process, stabilizing not only themselves, but also their families, and returning to “regular” life to whatever degree possible. That is the success story in numbers.
What is so absolutely amazing is how they do it, considering the range of problems that have plagued the people that come to Bayit Cham’s doors through referrals from the Ministry of Health. The sheer complexity and weight of the psychological pain would make a most daunting task for anyone attempting to change the life-direction of the person in need. Because of the human intricacies involved, many such individuals become society’s throwaways, often ending up on the streets, or worse….
There is no one “secret” to Shmuel’s and Yoram’s success but there are a few identifiable absolutely critical elements, among them being: (1) a love and respect for each individual, (2) a desire to benefit the other person without any expectation of reward or thank-you, and (3) a profound ability to look deep inside the other person and to discover some spark, some flicker of light, some connection from which they can draw the energy that can help that person re-build relationships to others and the world outside. When Shmuel says, “My fellow person's pain is my own personal pain”, you begin to get a sense of the human sensitivity he and his chevra bring to their work.
One measure of this awesome program’s success is observing the people at work, and ultimately not knowing who has been sent by Bayit Cham and who is the “regular employee”. We have experienced this phenomenon whenever we visit.
Translating Bayit Cham as “A Warm Home” doesn’t do it justice. It is more, much more. It is a place from which to go out into the world, and it is warm, welcoming, and where The Human Touch ceases to be an abstract term. It becomes very real the moment you come in contact with those who are there. If there ever was a place where Tzedakah means “doing the right thing” — and not the negative-sounding “charity” — it is everywhere Bayit Cham has its people hard at work.
Shmuel and Yoram have surrounded themselves with a marvelous staff, now including Shmuel’s son, Aryeh, as Director General.
Of special note: One of Bayit Cham’s successes is a marvelous silversmith. His products are available for sale with proceeds going to Bayit Cham. His Judaica pieces are beautiful and make wonderful presents for weddings, anniversaries, births, and the like — as well as for your own personal use. Visit the Bayit Cham website for details.
[Bayit Cham, ATTN: Aryeh Munk, 13 Rabbi Yishmael St., B’nai B’rak, 51553, Israel. 03-677-8513. Tax-deductible contributions through Ziv. english@bayit-cham.com, www.bayit-cham.com.]

4. HUMANS AND ANIMALS IN MUTUAL ASSISTANCE-HAMA (ISRAEL) ($106,325.50)
It isn’t about animals, silly…it’s about people!
We often use this phrase when explaining the profound and highly effective work being done by Avshalom Beni and his animal-assisted therapy program. Sadly, some people look only at the furry animals — the cats, the dogs, and remark, “Oh, how cute!” But, in truth, it isn’t “cute”. It is a serious form of therapy that can change a life in ways one could not even begin to imagine.
This past summer as we sat on the verdant grounds of Avshalom’s center, and listened to him describe the specific cases he works with, we could not help but believe that we were in the presence of pure genius…a dedicated, insightful man who has a profound rapport with cats and dogs and people — almost like a cat and dog “whisperer”. He creates a sense of safety and trust and love around him so that long-buried pain can come out and the person can become whole again. His techniques are basic but also revolutionary, and it is evident that he knows full well the intricacies of the human mind and how it can be returned to good health using these mostly four-legged partners as assistants. Many of the individuals he helps have problems which involve the extreme ways people abuse or are abused by family members, and in addition he has had many breakthroughs in his work with hospitalized Shoah survivors, and in projects for kids-at-risk — children with ADHD, a father-child project that has changed the family dynamic by engaging fathers in therapeutic relationships — not just mothers… the list goes on and on.
Particularly exciting for Avshalom this past year was the donation of a new air-conditioned van. In addition, this past February we enjoyed meeting Passion, Avshalom’s latest co-therapist. Passion is a fluffy black Pekinese donated by Amy Easton of Chevy Chase, Maryland, who shared a portion of her Bat Mitzvah gifts to bring this new animal to Avshalom’s work.
A significant part of the funds for Avshalom’s work were donor-designated gifts.
[HAMA (ISRAEL) Humans and Animals in Mutual Assistance, Avshalom Beni, Program Director, POB 3241, Savyon 36524, Israel, phone: 03-736-0860, Avshalom’s wife, Pam: 04-636-9443, hama-israel@bezeqint.net.]

5. THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION [AMUTA] FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT OF GIRLFRIENDS (FIANCÉES) OF FALLEN SOLDIERS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES ($8,072.00)
The Amuta For the Emotional Support of Girlfriends (Fianceés) of Fallen IDF Soldiers provides support for women — and men — who have lost their boyfriend/girlfriend, fiancé/fiancée in an IDF-related incident. It was only when Phyllis Heimowitz’s, own daughter Michal, lost her soon-to-be fiancé that Phyllis realized that there was nothing available to help the girlfriend mourn this loss. Michal was inconsolable and no therapist could help her in her recovery. She needed to talk to someone who knew exactly what she was going through and that person did not exist — at least up until that time. While the Israeli government provides many resources for the wife or other blood relative of a fallen soldier, nothing was available for the girlfriend/fiancée. With her other daughter Tamar, (the dynamic co-founder of the amuta) Michal’s sister, at her side, Phyllis set about to change the State of Israel in ways that no one would ever imagine possible. Today, the State of Israel recognizes the girlfriend/fiancée as a legitimate survivor and cooperates with Phyllis and Tamar in helping to identify the girlfriend/fiancée so that they can be offered support in this difficult time.
This past February, sitting in Phyllis’ lovely living room, we were in the company of four most extraordinary young women. Their youth and their beauty are what struck us at first. Each alone, was an inspiration. Together, their words and their thoughts were almost overwhelming. Each had lost a boyfriend or fiancé in Israel’s most recent war, and each had been helped and nurtured by this exceptional program that provides emotional support in the form of group and sometimes, individual therapy.
The two hours we spent with these young women brought so many thoughts to mind. You could not help but be reminded that Israeli youth already have a sense of vulnerability and mortality by the time they reach their teens. The women’s words were filled with such emotion and such profundity it was difficult to remember that each had not yet reached her 21st birthday! Each shared how they met their boyfriend/fiancé, many had known them since they were youngsters. Shani, the youngest of the women (a soldier herself), and the one who had the most recent loss (her boyfriend was killed only a few months ago) told us that she met Tomer when she was six years old and she knew then that he would be the one she would marry. We laughed as she recounted all of her efforts to get his attention over the years until finally they “connected” a few years ago and true love blossomed. She shared that she was always scolding him for not remembering to call her when he returned from a mission and after his last maneuver, when he was killed by friendly fire, she tried his cellphone repeatedly, filled with fury that he had failed to let her know that he was safe. When word came that he was killed, she was in disbelief and even today, does not seem to be completely aware of the loss as she is about to start the therapy process in Group 14, the amuta’s newest group. Through all of her grief, Shani’s grandmother urged her to “be a hero”, and indeed she was trying to be just that. All of these young women are, in their own right, heroes. Their losses will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Indeed, Rena Cahan, who volunteers as Phyllis’ right hand, has often shared that the loss of her fiancé in the Yom Kippur War was something she would never completely get over — it is something that stays with you forever.
Part of this year’s funds to the amuta were used to facilitate two parent support groups that met in five sessions and was extremely helpful to the parents of these young women who are suddenly faced with a tragedy that no one ever thought possible. We are also helping to underwrite a gathering of all of the women who have been served by the amuta. Planned for April, the event is meant to be a “fun” day for all and will include a delicious meal and a speaker.
If we ever questioned the importance and the impact of what this group does, we are reminded of a recent e-mail from Phyllis. “Salomi, a bereaved girlfriend who was in Support Group 9, called Rena and me just to say hello. She said to me: “It is so important for me to know that you are always here. I keep the card of the Amuta in my purse all the time. I just look at it and I get strength.” I was so moved by that.” And, we were as well…
We urge you to visit the organization’s website. It provides a moving description of the very exceptional work that they are doing.
The Non-Profit Organization [Amuta] for Emotional Support of Girlfriends (Fiancées) of Fallen Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, Phyllis Heimowitz, 6 HaHavatzelet Street. Kiryat Ono, Israel, 03-534-7860, heimw@netvision.net.il, www.girlfriendsidf.org.il.]
6. A PACKAGE FROM HOME ($91,144.45) We really appreciate the packages that you sent, and it was especially nice to receive them in the middle of three weeks straight. Since I got the gatches [gotkas — long underwear], I haven't stopped wearing them and so are my friends.
All of the candies are delicious. We eat them all day and we still haven't finished them yet. As you probably know, it is not easy being in the army for three weeks in a row, and sometimes this makes us in a not so great mood. Receiving the packages not only made us happy, but also made us feel appreciated. We took all of the sweet letters that were in the packages and hung them up on a wall in the main room on our base and every time we look at that wall it makes us feel good.
About the jackets...I must say this is the most wonderful gift that you can ever give us. Everybody in our unit now has the same jacket keeping us warm. We really appreciate your organization and never stop talking about you and your wonderful project. We are going to send our jackets to have our unit's emblem embroidered on each jacket. When we get them back I promise to organize a group picture and send it to you.
So, thank you again so much,
Yossi
So starts a letter that Barbara Silverman, founder of A Package From Home, recently received from a soldier who enjoyed one of the special packages she prepares. Born out of “what can I do?” when the war broke out in Israel four years ago, A Package From Home is a stunning example of the power of one. Barbara’s efforts, though eventually augmented by others, were determined and deliberate. Originally directed to chayalim bodedim, or soldiers with no family in Israel, Barbara wanted to encourage and support these soldiers as they fought on the frontlines. Starting in her own apartment, Barbara and friends formed an assembly line, and packed all kinds of treats and essentials (originally candy, snacks, toiletries, batteries and a letter of support) to be mailed off to soldiers on the front-lines. In time, her efforts became known to the IDF, and they helped her in her work by identifying units that could use some cheer. Soon, they were arranging to pick up the completed boxes and deliver them directly to the units.
Four years and more than 77,000 packages later, Barbara’s efforts have made a huge difference in the lives of so many soldiers.Today, the packages include a new white t-shirt in the warm months or, as you read above, a pair of warm long underwear when the temperatures plummet. Recently, Barbara has started to provide warm fleece jackets that are equally important during the winter months.
If you are traveling to Israel and want a wonderful “hands-on” experience, be in touch with Barbara or Caryn Gale, her assistant. They may be able to arrange for you to be part of a packing session. It is exhilarating and made even more meaningful when soldiers come to pick everything up and you hear, first-hand, just how important these “little things” are to them. If you are going to take part in packing, don’t forget to ask what you can bring along in an extra suitcase to augment what Barbara buys for the packages. There is a list posted on their website — we hear that M&M’s are the all-time favorite! If you cannot visit personally, there is always need for letters to the soldiers that can be mailed inexpensively to Barbara. This is a great activity for schools and youth groups.
Part of the funds we have sent to Barbara have been designated by donors specifically for her work.
[A Package From Home, Barbara Silverman, Keren Kayemet 12, Jerusalem, Israel, 02-623-2548, fax: 02-623-2667, emess@netvision.net.il, www.apackagefromhome.org.]

($14,950.00)

So much is going on at The Diplomat Hotel which is, well, “normal”. Once, years ago, The Diplomat was a five-star establishment with a gorgeous view of the Jerusalem countryside, until its quality began to slide. And then, the first huge waves of immigrants from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) began to arrive — so many that the Israeli government began to run out of space. To help, they began placing them in hotels, where overcrowded conditions became the norm. The Diplomat was no exception, and conditions there were hardly Menschlich.

It was about that time that Alice Jonah found her way there, first as a volunteer, then as an employee, and what developed was a total transformation in the hotel’s atmosphere and the residents’ living conditions. Since most of the residents are too old to be re-trained or re-licensed in their field of expertise, or because they are musicians in a country flooded with classical violinists, or just plain “folks”, they needed someone to make certain they would settle comfortably into Israeli society. No, Alice is not the Executive Manager, nor the systems expert. Technically, she is the activities director.…But she is so much more: She is a person with a deep sense of caring and Mitzvah-creativity, one to make things happen…the all-around project-maker and individual problem-solver. There’s a choir, a marvelous choir; an art therapy program, a library, and a computer workshop; and there’s a more accessible bus stop to make it easier for the residents to get to their errands and visits to the center of town — because Alice helped to convince the bus company how important it was to move the stop down the hill to the entrance; plus arrangements for medical appointments (cab fare appears as if out of nowhere), and the multitude of other daily needs of 500 individuals. Alice even has a group of volunteers that go out for visits to Jerusalem’s nursing homes. And even though former hotel rooms might look too small to be a home for a couple or single person or a multi-generational family, the rooms have become pleasant places for the residents. Wall hangings, pictures, furniture from the “Old Country”, a refrigerator and small stove top or microwave for cooking make for a fine place to call home.…And all is done beautifully and gently by our soft-spoken Alice Jonah.

[Alice Jonah, Efrata St. 34/10, Jerusalem, phone: 02-673-7217, aleph1@bezeqint.net.]

The Good Person is the very foundation of the world.
(Proverbs 10:25)

8. *BEIT HAYELED ($210.29)

It was our pleasure this past year to finally meet the founders of Bet Hayeled, a group home in the North of Israel that was established by Irit Zucker and Yitz Feigenbaum over 11 years ago. Children in Bet Hayeled have been referred by the State’s social services and are usually either orphaned or come from abusive home situations. These children, age 5-18, cannot be returned to their homes under any circumstances. What distinguishes the very fine work being done at Bet Hayeled, though, is that the founders have dedicated themselves to remaining by the side of these kids-at-risk as they grow to adulthood and experience all of the challenges life presents. In essence, they have become the family that these children no longer have in their lives , and they have created an intimate, Menschlich home, not an institution, and that has made all of the difference.

Our contributions to Bet Hayeled have been used for many critical needs including new shoes for all of the kids as well as technology for some of the older children studying in high school. We are very excited about the work being done at Bet Hayeled and look forward to working with them in the years ahead.

[Bet Hayeled, attn: Yitz Feigenbaum, Kibbutz Merav, DN Gilboa 19148 Israel,: 04-653-9103 (home), 052-323-7707 (cell), yitz@kibbutzmerav.co.il.]

B. TERROR AND ITS AFTERMATH ($76,437.76) While we no longer wake up each morning with news of a devastating terror attack on an Israeli bus, it is abundantly clear to us that the impact of terror-related situations may never really disappear. I recently wrote the following to a donor who has contributed significantly to our work in this specific area. I think that it says a great deal about the current situation:

As far as the survivors of attacks are concerned---there is one thing that is continually driven home whenever I work with our “agent” or social workers on these cases...in almost every one of them, aside from physical injury which may or may not leave permanent injury, there is almost always an overriding psychological component which does not go away at all or even recede into the background. How do we judge a person who has been witness to an attack… even if he or she was not physically injured other than some scrapes or bruises BUT did witness limbs flying about them and the blood and gore that comes with such an experience---how could they NOT have trauma that stays with them and even keeps them from returning to a productive life for a very long time and maybe even permanently?? IF--you add to this the fact that they may have had underlying psychological issues (like abuse of whatever form, etc.) BEFOREHAND, there is a strong likelihood that they may fall apart with this latest trauma. How much therapy and drugs can the government underwrite? How much will other organizations do?

And, indeed, these are the types of situations we are working today to resolve.

From but a very few e-mails I have received: One of the L. children called me today to tell me how much R. enjoyed the vacation at the Dead Sea and how much it improved her spirits and her resolve to take good care of herself and try to get better. She felt like she was in "heaven" and had an unbelievable time. It did wonders for her mood. She has never felt as pampered and she was so very appreciative that her siblings and Jews from overseas cared enough about her wellbeing to get it all together for her to enable her to go!!!!

So many thanks from R. and family for the generous help of Ziv and its donors to make it really happen for her.

Or, this particular Mitzvah “investment”:

Thank you for being so kind to the G. family, who were involved in a terror attack in Jerusalem in 2003. In that bus bombing, nearly every member of the family was injured including an infant. The fact that you provided the family with a gift certificate to a local restaurant so that they could all enjoy a birthday celebration for two of the family members was incredibly important. To say that this minimal investment brought unbelievable joy to the group would not be sufficient. Only minutes after returning home, the mother called to report that everyone had a fantastic time and that it had been so long since they had had a chance to celebrate anything. She also reported that the night before the dinner, she stayed up until 4 am, sewing herself a new dress for the occasion!

Or another:

S. told me that the new clothes you bought him gave him so much satisfaction and good feelings that he started dating again for the first time since the pigua 3 years ago. Having new decent clothing gave him more self confidence. He has a new girl friend. He's not sure where it will lead long term but for now he feels good about it.

If you consider all of these responses in addition to the other critical help we have provided, such as medical therapies above and beyond what is covered by National Insurance, assistance with day-to day expenses and finally, tutoring bills for many, many children who find that coping with school after being in a terror attack is no longer possible without outside help, you can see quite clearly that the problems are not going away. What may be happening is that the numbers of people who need such help may not be growing, but those who have been affected are not recovering quickly or completely.

1.5 MILLION Penny Drive: Last year’s Report shared the story of Emily Dubois, then a high school senior in Palo Alto, California, and member of the local United Synagogue Youth chapter. Emily has not only succeeded in her efforts to raise 1.5 million pennies to provide for the needs of people who have been affected by terror attacks in Israel, but even today with Emily at college, funds are still being contributed to her efforts. Yasher Koach, Emily!

[1.5 Million Penny Drive, Emily Dubois, c/o Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306, 650-948-7498, esd2u@aol.com, esd2u.pledgepage.org.]

C. ZIV’S RESPONSE TO POVERTY AND HUNGER IN ISRAEL ($23,983.29) Statistics coming out of the Israeli news today are not hopeful:

Some 18.1 percent of the Israeli workforce, roughly 485,000 people, is unemployed or underemployed

Approximately three-fourths of these “part-time workers against their will” are women.

Of the jobs created in 2004, some 81% pay a maximum of NIS 4,500 (approx. $1100) per month, and about three-quarters do not pay more than NIS 4,000 ($930) monthly.

The majority of those who have been integrated into employment will therefore not escape poverty, but will in fact become “working poor”.

14% of Israelis gave up on buying specific basic foods, 38% gave up on heating their apartment in the winter, 16% did not buy new shoes and clothes and 45% deprived themselves of dental care.

Clearly our work in Israel proves on a daily basis the realities of these statistics. If you speak to people working in hunger-related programs, Joseph Gitler from Table to Table, Moshe Kot from Lev Ramot, or even the Rabbanit Kapach who has been feeding hungry people for decades, all will agree that the numbers of people coming to them for help just continue to rise. While we support many formal feeding programs, the dollars noted above represent our work feeding hungry schoolchildren in Israel through contributions for hot lunches, and many, many thousands of dollars worth of supermarket scrip which we distribute far and wide after learning about an individuals or families that cannot put food on their table. It is about as basic a need as you can fill — feeding hungry people.

1. LEV RAMOT ($20,900.00)

Who hasn’t been to a wedding or Bar Mitzvah and seen the huge mounds of food piled high on the buffet table? In Jerusalem, Lev Ramot, a mostly-volunteer organization, founded by a true Tzaddik, Moshe Kot, is responsible for retrieving these leftovers and getting them directly to individuals and families who do not have enough food to eat. Lev Ramot’s volunteers stand directly in the kitchens of local catering halls and pack up the leftovers as soon as they are returned to the kitchen. Before the evening ends, each volunteer delivers the packages to the families on a pre-selected list. After one ring of the doorbell, the package is left on the doorstep and the volunteer slips away. Recipients and donors never meet. Today, Lev Ramot also delivers monthly food packages to many families, including those of soldiers and border patrolmen. A portion of our donation was used to underwrite the expense of a part-time social worker who has uncovered many, many additional needs among the families that are helped by Lev Ramot.

[Lev Ramot, c/o Moshe Koth, Schechtman St. 6, Jerusalem 97225, 02-586-1456, cellphone: 052-286-4507. Assistant: Dr. Ron Schleifer, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan Israel, 03-532-8189 (o), 02-586-8714 (h), conschle@netvision.net.il.]

2. TABLE TO TABLE ($11,428.63)

Though in existence for only a few years, Table to Table, Israel’s most extensive food rescue network, is experiencing growth beyond anyone’s expectation. Joseph Gitler, the founder of this fine organization, uses his American ingenuity and business skills to address Israel’s ongoing struggle with hunger. Originally developed to collect leftovers from the country’s corporate cafeterias and catering halls, today Table to Table picks up from more than 160 events weekly, which translates into 4,000-5,000 meals delivered directly to many non-profits responsible for feeding hungry people. Most of this work is carried out by volunteers guided by the organization’s growing staff. Joseph has also been successful in attracting many food manufacturers that now donate large quantities of food directly from their production sites.

During our February trip to Israel this year, we were fortunate to be able to add a new activity to our schedule, one that none of us ever anticipated would be so much fun or so meaningful. Through Table to Table, we spent an afternoon in a lush clementine grove, gleaning the remaining fruit from dunams and dunams of clementine trees. Our small group of 6, managed to pick more than 225 pounds of this delicious fruit in just one hour! To date, hundreds of volunteers from schools, businesses, tours or other groups have participated in this ancient practice which has resulted in more than 70 tons of fresh fruit and vegetables donated to local non-profit feeding programs. In a country such as Israel, where agriculture is an important part of the economy, Table to Table has developed an exceptional program that brings fresh, healthy produce to hungry people.

If you are looking for a meaningful Tzedakah opportunity, we know that one of Joseph’s greatest difficulties has been underwriting transportation costs for bringing willing students to the gleaning fields. Schools are very enthusiastic about having students take part in this activity but the cost of the bus, about $300, a price that schools cannot absorb more than once or twice a year. Doing some quick math, we figure that 40 gleaners working for four hours can glean 18 kilos per hour, worth approximately 50 cents per kilo or $3,000. Not a bad return on the original $300 investment! If you are planning a trip to Israel either as a family or in a group and wish to take part in this great activity, be in touch with Table to Table. They will help make the arrangements for you.

Our donation was used for new equipment for the gleaning project and to underwrite insurance expenses.

[Table to Table, Attn: Joseph Gitler, phone: 09-744-1757, cell 052-876-3516, 94-96 Achuza St., Ra’anana, 43450 Israel, joseph@tabletotable.org.il, www.tabletotable.org.il.]

3. ZEV BIRGER AND THE ROMEMA FAMILIES ($17,475.00)

Zev Birger has ably carried on the exceptional work of his late wife, Trudi, in both the dental clinic that she founded years ago, as well as her personal care for many families in Romema, one of Jerusalem’s poorest neighborhoods. The Birgers’ “adoption” of many of these families has made a huge difference. In addition to food and clothing, and other essentials, children received school supplies and extra help with their education. Many have broken out of the cycle of poverty that has plagued their families for decades, and are now educated and employed in trades and professions. We believe that the work we do with Zev is especially meaningful. Over the past two winters we have helped underwrite not only the purchase of electric heaters for many of the families, but also provided funds for their increased electric bills as the cold winds of a Jerusalem winter require extra heating in their small, poorly insulated apartments. Our funds have also been used to facilitate a university education for several young people, and this Pesach, many children and their Mothers will enjoy new shoes and clothing. Several families will also have a bountiful table for the Seder as Zev provides them with extra funds so that they can enjoy the holiday as others do.

Throughout the years that we worked with Trudi, we never really got to know Zev. How amazed we are now, to discover that he is, in his own gentle way, just as dynamic and caring as his late wife. We wish him many, many years of good health and strength as he carries out this holy work.

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

4. DENTAL VOLUNTEERS FOR ISRAEL (DVI) ($5,500.00)

Though our dear friend, Trudi Birger, z”l, passed away nearly three years ago, Dental Volunteers for Israel (DVI), the very special project that she founded in Jerusalem that provides free dental care for children 5-18, is doing well, even expanding its services. This success is largely due to the work of Trudi’s husband, Zev, and the dedicated staff at the clinic. Presently, they provide approximately 1,000 treatments a month. The simple fact is that good dental care is just not available for many of the city’s poor children, something Trudi understood, and acted on, years ahead of others. With a diet rich in sugar and poor dental hygiene, children’s teeth decay leaving them with a lifetime of dental problems.

Since 1980, 4,500 dentists from 13 countries have spent a minimum of a week working there. Today, Zev reports that there has been a recent reversal in a long-time trend. Dentists from Europe, formerly the primary source of help, are participating less frequently, but are being replaced by more North American dentists coming to volunteer. The needs are great, so please suggest it to your own dentist.

We are very moved that the reality of Trudi’s dream flourishes and that we are a part of this Mitzvah work.

[DVI, 29 Mekor Haim St., Jerusalem, Attn: Zev Birger, clinic phone: 02-678-3144, Zev may be reached at: 02-643-6628, dvi@internet-zahav.net, www.dental-dvi.co.il. To assist in fundraising for DVI, contact Natan Shapira at the clinic, or by his cell: 050-538-3020.]

5. ISRAEL FREE LOAN ASSOCIATION ($6,000.00)

“One who makes a loan to another is greater than one who just gives money.”
(Shabbat 63a)

The Talmud recognized this basic truth thousands of years ago and today, the Israel Free Loan Association, founded by our dear friend, Dr. Eliezer Jaffe, is the perfect model for this belief. The needs might be temporary, like paying rent for a divorced mother to prevent her and her family from becoming homeless, or perhaps to start a new business or to pay for unexpected medical bills or college tuition — the list is endless. For native Israelis and the huge immigrant population that inhabits that country, IFLA is literally a lifesaver. We are always excited when we hear the latest statistics about our own donations. Our $45,464 in donations throughout the years has been turned into $243,700 in loans! This is one of the very few ways we know that a donation can yield such a large return on the original investment.

For those of you interested in naming opportunities, we suggest you be in touch with Dr. Jaffe for details.

Dr. Jaffe continues to be an important resource for us as we continue to expand our Tzedakah work in Israel. He is a recognized expert in the field of social welfare and has done groundbreaking work on the Israeli non-profit scene. Refer to the website www.givingwisely.org.il to learn more about his work. We are grateful to him for his guidance and expertise.

[IFLA, c/o Prof Eliezer Jaffe, 37 Azza St., Jerusalem, home: 02-563-7450, ifla@freeloan.org.il, www.freeloan.org.il. Tax-deductible contributions through Ziv. See also www.givingwisely.org. IFLA 64 Azaa St., Apt. 7, Jerusalem; phone: 02-563-0248, fax: 566-9504]

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.

6. *BOOKS FOR ISRAEL ($800.00) Dear Mark and everyone in Littleton who helped!

Yet another box arrived this week - we opened it today - and what can I say?

Thank you very much! You guys send better books every time! There was a great selection of reading material that is perfect for junior high school kids - an age that isn't easy to cater to! The books for the younger students were lovely too… Since Books for Israel and the arrival of books in school, more and more kids are reading books in English. …Gradually the teachers are finding new ways to encourage reading… Your continued support is really appreciated...Thank you again, and Shabbat Shalom from rainy and windy Israel!

Amanda

This thank-you to a group in Colorado that has partnered with Books For Israel (B4i) collected and shipped English books for kids in Israeli schools, says it all. We are very excited about the work being facilitated by Rena Cohen in Maryland and Jade and Ilan Bar-Shalom, her sister and brother-in-law, in Israel. Addressing the ongoing violence in Israel as well as the downturn in the economy and their effects upon education, Rena and Jade started Books for Israel, in 2002, as a totally volunteer, grass-roots project.

With the help of teachers, librarians, synagogues, churches, students and other concerned groups who have held book drives, B4i has facilitated the collection and shipment of over 40 tons of English language books, to Israel's Jewish, Druze, Bedouin, Christian, Moslem, and mixed-community schools. With the addition of these books, children are not only assured of continuing English language education despite serious cutbacks in government funding, but are also strengthened emotionally by the solidarity shown by the donors during this difficult time. A quick visit to B4i’s website offers complete instructions for collecting and shipping the books. We suggest sending an e-mail to Rena or Jade prior to starting your drive. This is a very powerful but easy project to organize. Many schools that have participated actually develop a personal relationship with their partner school in Israel. It is a win-win for everyone involved!

Our funds were used to underwrite gasoline and other small expenses the group incurs as they travel through the country picking up and delivering the books.

[Rena Cohen, Books for Israel (B4i), israelactionmdsc@hotmail.com, www.booksforisrael.com.]

7. TOVA’S KITCHEN ($3,300.00)

We don’t call ahead, and it does not matter if we visit in the cold winter months or at the height of the summer heat. It can be raining and on some occasions, it has even snowed….We just know that if it is Wednesday morning, Tova Cohen will be at her post, that tiny, tiny kitchen that we have described for so many years on the pages of this report. She will be standing in front of a single burner upon which sits a huge soup pot (we are not quite sure how she lifts it, as she herself is a very diminutive woman!) preparing a hot meal for several of the neighborhood’s poor people who would otherwise not enjoy a warm meal that day. It is that simple…nothing more — one woman seeing a need and filling it. If you are ever in Jerusalem on a Wednesday morning, travel to the tiny street in the Bukharan neighborhood where she lives. We promise you — she will be there, making sure that hungry people will eat.

[Tova Cohen, Tova’s Kitchen, 26 Yosef Karo St., Jerusalem, 02-582-2879. The meals are served in the synagogue at #33 Yosef Karo St.]

8. CLARA HAMMER – THE CHICKEN LADY OF JERUSALEM ($4,250.00)

One of Ziv’s legendary Mitzvah heroes, Clara Hammer will be soon celebrating the 22nd anniversary of her famous Chicken Fund and her 94th birthday! In a visit this past winter, we were stunned by how youthful and how invigorated Clara is…clearly doing Mitzvahs has a direct correlation to youth and strength. Clara’s story of visiting her butcher and observing a young child coming to pick up the fats and bones that were being discarded so that her poor family could make a cholent for the upcoming Shabbat meal, is known to many people. From that first family that she helped, Clara is now responsible for providing Menschlich Shabbat food each week for more than 250 families in Jerusalem and other parts of the country. For those who cannot get to Mr. Hacker, the butcher who works with Clara, a check is mailed at the beginning of the month, so that the families can buy their own food locally. There is nothing complicated about her work— see hungry people/feed hungry people. It is not complicated, and that is exactly how this extraordinary woman carries out her special work, simply and lovingly. We wish Clara many more birthdays, celebrated in good health, surrounded by her impressive extended family and most of all, filled with Mitzvahs, Mitzvahs, Mitzvahs!

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

9. RE’UT - SCHOOL SOUP KITCHEN ($1,800.00)

Re’ut is one of Jerusalem’s exceptional schools. What makes it more distinctive, however, is the work being done by the head of school, Dr. Aryeh Geiger. Dr. Geiger has not only been a proponent of service learning in Israel for many years, but has also been one of the primary authors of service learning programs. Students at Re’ut are engaged in several different service learning projects, but clearly the most impressive is Bayit Cham, their weekly soup kitchen which serves a warm meal three evenings a week to people who might otherwise do without. The project, a response to the students’ concerns about hunger in Israel, is entirely student run, with a staff supervisor on hand when needed. The students are also responsible for distributing challah for Shabbat on Thursday evenings and often pack up leftovers for their guests to take home. Our contribution was used to purchase aluminum pans and other storage supplies for their work. This is a fine example of student-power!

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

It’s never too late to be who you might have been.

D. THE WAR AND ITS AFTERMATH

1. THE GIFT OF COMFORT ($2,850.00)

Much like our good friend Barbara Silverman, who at the start of the war in Israel in 2000, decided that she just had to do something, Ruth Shlossman was also inspired to act, though her response was of a much more personal nature. Standing near the Sbarro’s restaurant that fateful day in August 2001, Ruth watched in horror as the building exploded and bodies flew in every direction. It was that moment that moved her to act and her creation, A Gift of Comfort, was born sometime later. Working slowly and deliberately, Ruth has gathered a large group of professionals in massage and reflexology who today, are offering nearly 50 massages weekly. 80% of her therapists do their work pro bono and she rarely has difficulty finding a therapist willing to work with her. This Spring, Ruth is planning a half-day conference for her volunteer massage therapists and will have a leading trauma specialist speak. Time after time, Ruth’s therapists prove that massage therapy can work to reduce tension and pain where other more traditional therapies have failed. Survivors of terror attacks and family members alike have benefited from this special treatment that creates a therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the survivor. We are pleased to help Ruth in this innovative work.

[The Gift of Comfort, Ruth Shlossman, 1 Gal’ed St., Jerusalem 97500, Israel, 02-627-1175, rshlossman@WatershedAssociates.com. In the U.S, toll-free number: 1-866-583-5272.]

2. THE FUND FOR THE IDF 5TH REGIMENT- ($24,300.00)

After the murderous terrorist attack on Netanya’s Park Hotel on Passover, 2002, The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) moved into Jenin, the nerve center of so many terror attacks. While the media and hostile governments accused Israel of a massacre, the opposite turned out to be true, at the cost of 23 soldiers’ lives….Many had died because of strict orders to be as careful as humanly possible to avoid civilian casualties.

Among the troops were soldiers from the IDF’s 5th Regiment. When the battles were over, Major Rafi Laderman, third in command during the operation, and his fellow soldiers established The Fund For the IDF 5th Regiment to take care of families of those who were killed and wounded, as well as families of other soldiers from the regiment who had died in previous wars. The aftermath for the widows, children and other relatives — and for wounded survivors — is devastating. The Fund provides many activities and services, including family outings and retreats, an employment service for those needing jobs, and working with other individual needs.

Our donation, most of which was donor-directed, was used to support these many services.

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 Jenin as well as their families and the families of those who were killed. The result of those interviews is a very moving account of all that transpired before, during and after the action ended. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Fund For the IDF 5th Regiment’s work.

[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, laderm@zahav.net.il.]

3. PIZZA AND SCHWARMA PARTIES ($1,183.55)

Arnie,

The day was exceptional.

The lunch with the soldiers went flawlessly. They were kind, appreciative and the lunch was plentiful. We purchased two slices of pizza for all 180 soldiers and our group as well … They allowed us to take photos and climb onto a tank for photos as well. Although Afula is close to Jenin we did not have an ounce of fear in our minds for a minute. It was one of the great highlights of our time in Israel.

Thank you again for the connections and the assistance. You and Naomi and all involved have truly lived up to the spirit of ZIV.

Steve

This was Cantor Steven Stoehr’s description of his synagogue group-sponsored pizza party with soldiers this past year. It says it all. We have facilitated several of these parties and every one of them is a hit (though we are told by some that schwarma is preferred!). The soldiers are always amiable and appreciative and there is no better way to play “Jewish geography”. If you are part of a group traveling to Israel, be in touch with us to arrange your own party…as the Cantor said, it was one of the highlights of the trip!

E. IMMIGRANTS

1. YA’AKOV MAIMON VOLUNTEERS: WELCOMING NEW IMMIGRANTS TO ISRAEL ($8,500.00)

From the earliest years of Israel’s existence, a Good Man, indeed, a Tzaddik, Ya’akov Maimon, went everywhere to gather volunteers to teach the new immigrants Hebrew and all the big and little things newcomers needed to adjust to their new home. Thousands upon thousands arrived, and Maimon collected young and old from the universities, schools, even from people on the street, to meet this critical need. Both adults and children needed the new language and life skills, and Maimon’s Mishigoss, his fixation on this Mitzvah, became famous. One can only imagine how many new Israelis would have been lost in the tumult and confusion of a new life were it not for these volunteers who came to their homes and helped them adjust and acculturate.

Even after the founder died in the 1970’s, his work continued through the exceptional leadership of our friend-of-many-years, Joël (pronounced “Yo-ayl”) Dorkam. Volunteers continue to be drawn from all corners of Israeli society. Hebrew University students and Hebrew Union College students studying for their first year in Jerusalem are among the mainstays of the program. Year after year, the HUC students in particular report that this is the greatest experience of their year in Jerusalem. A survey of those who, over the decades, have served as volunteers includes many famous Israelis from their youthful days as students, and now there are even second-generation volunteers.

In recent years, the immigration of 100,000 Jews from their primitive lives in Ethiopia has been particularly challenging. Many have made the adjustment more easily because of the Maimon Volunteers. As a result of a recent Israeli government agreement, the next two or three years will bring another wave from Ethiopia — more Mitzvah work for the Good People of this organization!

[Joël Dorkam, Ya’akov Maimon Volunteers, Kibbutz Tzuba, Doar Na Haray Yehuda, Israel, phone: 02-534-7871, cellphone: 054-563-7871. By e-mail, contact Eytan Green, green_h@tzuba.org.il. In the U.S., contact Shirley Lowenstein, 3225 Johnson Avenue #3C, Bronx, NY 10463, 718-549-4948, finksolow@hotmail.com.]

2. KEREN HANAN AYNOR ($25,000.00)

We were privileged this past Fall to attend the annual assembly of Keren Hanan Aynor, named for Israel’s late ambassador to Ethiopia. The fund, managed by the ambassador’s widow, Sarah, provides scholarships for Ethiopians who are pursuing advanced degrees in many different areas of study. Gathered at this particular ceremony were young men and women pursuing their studies in education, nursing, technology, and other areas. It was quite an impressive scene. Since 1984, Keren Hanan Aynor has been an integral part of the absorption of the Ethiopian community. Working with minimal overhead, Sarah and her small staff (both volunteer and paid employees) provide funds and personal encouragement. When visiting her this past winter, she proudly displayed a recent copy of a major Israeli women’s magazine. Displayed in full color, was a beautiful Ethiopian woman who had just earned her doctoral degree in education! Today, many Ethiopians are on this path to success with the help of Keren Hanan Aynor. Part of our gift this year was donor-directed to underwrite several new scholarships.

[Keren Hanan Aynor, Sarah Aynor Director, 3 Alharizi St. Jerusalem 92421, phone: 02-563-1419, kerenaynor@barak.net.il.Tax-deductible contributions may be made through Ziv.]

3. KEREN KLITAT ALIYA NEVE OROT ($7,000.00)

Because of his college studies in Russian language and culture at Brandeis, Rabbi Jonathan Porath became one of the early Jewish travelers to the Former Soviet Union, often leading United Synagogue Youth groups. About 20 years ago he made Aliya, settling in Jerusalem. When the huge influx of Russian immigrants began to arrive, he and his friends in the neighborhood welcomed them and established a network to provide for many of their basic needs. We have been involved for many years with his activities, and now through this network, we are able to reach many individuals and families and solve very specific problems. He and his assistant give us a “menu” of anonymous stories, and, whatever we can do, we do. The needs are always far greater than a fund such as ours can meet, but we are pleased that, with the growing Mitzvah dollars at our disposal, we have been able to increase our measure of Tikkun Olam to an ever-greater extent.

[Keren Klitat Aliya Neve Orot, Rabbi Jonathan Porath, Nerot Shabbat St. 623/10, Ramot Alef, Jerusalem, 02-586-8757, cellphone: 054-497-9589, jporath@jdc.org.il.]

F. OUR ELDERS

1. YITAV 109 ($5,000.00)

“Don’t cast me aside when I am old, don’t leave me alone when my strength is gone.”

This plea from the Yom Kippur liturgy best describes the goals of YITAV 109, a Jerusalem-based organization dedicated to the care of lonely, sick or disabled Elders in that city. Founded by Chaim Vigolik, z”l, and David Zahavi, retired officials from Magen David Adom, YITAV was their answer to the many occasions when they would receive a call from someone worried about a friend or relative who had not answered a call or a knock on the door, only to find that the Elder had died alone, days before. Through an organized phone system set up in Shaare Zedek Hospital (though not affiliated with the hospital in any official way), a group of volunteers (mostly retirees) wait each morning to hear from Elders who dial “109” to report that all is well. If, by late morning, they have not heard from the Elder, they call them directly. If there is still no response, computer records give them follow-up numbers of relatives or neighbors. If all contacts are unsuccessful, either an ambulance or the police is dispatched to the home. YITAV also provides small home repairs (such as changing a light bulb or fixing a leaky faucet) and offers medical and social service advice, as well. We are particularly impressed with their fine program that pairs high school students with lonely Elders for weekly visits throughout the school year. Currently, five high schools are enrolled in this program. Recently, one Elder announced proudly that she had been visited by three “generations” of kids over three years.

[Yitav 109, c/o Shaare Zedek Hospital, POB 1499, Jerusalem, Attn: David Zahavi, phone/fax: 02-651-2498. E-mails to Esti Ordan: ordanes@bezeqint.net.]

2. BEIT FRANKFORTER ($14,200.00)

Sitting in the courtyard of Beit Frankforter during a warm afternoon this past summer, we were struck by the sights and sounds that emanated from many of the rooms in this Jerusalem-based daycare center for Elders. From one corner of the building came the sounds of a Hebrew Ulpan class, while in another, the computer instructor was patiently explaining the basics of e-mail to what was clearly a class of seniors. Most appealing was the smell of a hot lunch the cook was preparing in the center’s kitchen. Our particular interest that day was the animal therapy program being offered to a group of 10 or 12 Elders, some in wheelchairs, others mobile. Every one of them was engaged as the therapist introduced them to a parrot, a rabbit, a gerbil, even a snake, and explained the animals’ habits and physical features. We were most impressed by the fact that many of the Elders eagerly welcomed the animals to their laps or shoulders, and that their comments often referred back to their own childhood relationship with animals.

Of all of the activities being conducted daily at Beit Frankforter, we are especially moved by the Savta’s Sandwich Project that we wrote about last year. In response to numerous reports of hunger among schoolchildren whose parents cannot afford a proper sandwich and drink for the morning’s 10:00 break, the savtas (grandmothers) who visit Beit Frankforter each day have organized themselves into an efficient and dedicated group who arrive each morning at 6:45 am to prepare hundreds of sandwiches that are distributed to 13 local schools where the principal or nurse has identified those children who would benefit from a nutritious mid-morning snack. (This past January, the savtas prepared more than 10,000 sandwiches!) In the words of Sima Zini, Beit Frankforter’s dedicated director, “the sandwiches make a difference.” Reports from school officials continually stress that the sandwiches provide important nutrition to these children. At a cost of 75 cents per sandwich, this is a fabulous project for Hebrew School Tzedakah money. An added bonus of this particular project is the increased intergenerational contact that has occurred between the Center and the schools being helped. Over the past year, students from these schools have shared Hanukkah celebrations at the Center and have put on musical performances for the Center’s Elders.

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

People who use their [sechel], insight-and-talents-for-Mitzvahs Will be radiant like the bright expanse of the sky, And those who encourage others to be involved in Tzedakah Shall be like the eternal stars.

3. *CLICKE ($1,000.00)

Linda Mosek is the enthusiastic and highly efficient director of CLICKE (Community Leadership & Intervention of Crisis for Kids and Elderly), an organization based in Hod HaSharon “dedicated to providing a better quality of life for children from families in stress and the Elders in the community, by initiating and developing innovative programs involving the active support of the community.” Though the group has many different goals for enhancing the lives of both children-at-risk and Elders, our focus has been on providing transportation for the Elders so that they can enjoy CLICKE’s many outstanding programs in their senior centers. We are also enthusiastic about their new occupational handicraft factory which utilizes the Elders’ talents in both a therapeutic and entrepreneurial way.

[CLICKE, attn: Linda Mosek, 12 Shimon HaTzadik St., Neve Neeman, Hod Hasharon, 45241, Israel, phone/fax: 09-741-4974, linda@roshhelp.co.il.]

4. DR. MARTIN KIESELSTEIN ($1,000.00)

Dr. Martin Kieselstein has been working with Elders and immigrants in Jerusalem for many years. For some, his medical expertise has been critical and for others he has provided a creative outlet for their often-lonely lives. We hope that he has many more years to accomplish this critical work. Because of our connection with Dr. Kieselstein, we are able to reach many individuals who might otherwise not have access to excellent care for body and soul.

[HaAguda LeEzra VeIddud VeShikum Keshishim VeCholim Birushalayim, 6 Rabbi Binyamin St., Jerusalem, Attn: Dr. Martin Kieselstein, phone: 02-652-3471, cellphone: 050-550-8495.]

G. PROJECTS RELATING TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

1. SHALVA ($20,500.00)

Shalva is a beautiful facility, with an incredibly breathtaking view. But many places that take care of people are beautiful. What counts — and the only thing that counts when it comes to Mitzvahs — is what goes on inside the building. And what happens inside Shalva is the best possible program for children with serious disabilities. Naomi’s description and background information from last year’s report expresses this wonderfully: While we have made many visits to Shalva on our own, the visits we enjoy most are the ones when we bring others to see this very special place. On each of our HeroIsrael Mitzvah tours, participants left in awe. Kalman and Malky Samuels built Shalva to provide respite care for families with disabled children. It was their own experiences raising Yossi, their profoundly disabled son, that directed them to build a place that these children can come to after the regular school day ends, thus enabling their families to have a few more hours without the stresses that raising such a child can bring. They even have the opportunity to take part in sleepovers and an occasional Shabbat. Shalva provides music programs, sensory therapies, home economics, a library, physical therapies, drama, a state-of-the-art therapeutic pool and an exceptional warm and loving staff to top it off.

Our involvement with Shalva over the past few years has been with the unique Me and My Mommy program which brings newborns and toddlers with their mothers to a morning program at the Center. Working with physical therapists, social workers, and other support staff, the new mothers not only learn from the experts what it is to raise a child with disabilities, but they are also offered the chance to gain support from each other.

There are now 148 mother/child pairs in Me and My Mommy, and professionals in this field now note that they can distinguish a “Shalva child” from others because of the exceptional therapies this program offers!

We love the “place”, of course. But even more, no matter how many times we have been there, our love grows for what Kalman, Malky, and now their son, Avi, and the staff and volunteers are doing there to bring the Good Life to the children and their families. In addition, Shalva has established a branch in Efrat. Our hope is that Shalvas will spring up throughout Israel. What a fine example of divine-and-human Tikkun Olam that would be!