On March 23-25, Areyvut partnered with schools, synagogues, families and community organizations to create a weekend full of acts of kindness. Hands on programs were done all over the globe and thousands of people were affected by the work done by the individuals who participated in the weekend festivities.
Areyvut staff developed a list of 22 hands-on activities around the themes of “caring for the sick and elderly” and “feeding the hungry” for individuals of all ages to participate in during the weekend. You can access them by clicking on the following link:
Areyvut would like to thank former Areyvut Board Chair Ezra Tuchman for developing the idea of “Make a Difference” Day; Shira Hammerman, our Special Projects Coordinator, for her help in developing these resources and her work in bringing the “A Kindness a Day” Calendar to fruition; Susan A. Abravanel, Education Director at SOLV (www.solv.org) for developing the project planning unit which you can access by clicking here; Jonathan Kops from JK Technology Group for his help making these educational resources accessible; Alan Braverman and Dena Wimpfheimer of Braverman Communications for their help in publicizing “Make a Difference” Day, and Aryeh Mezei and Nachum Shapiro from Judaica Press for their help and partnership with the calendar.
As part of “Make a Difference Day 2007, Areyvut developed and facilitated almost 40 programs throughout the United States and Israel. The following are just a few examples:
In Los Angeles, CA, Students at Hebrew Union College participated in March Madness for Tzedakah, a program where throughout the month of March during this basketball pool, rather than keeping the money, the winner gets to decide where the money will be donated.
In Jacksonville, FL, 5th grade students at Martin J. Gottlieb Day School participated in Sunday Undie/Monday Undie, an Underwear drive to provide new underwear to needy children. Students learned about programs available to collect new or damaged clothing and pass them on to those in need. The students delivered the underwear they collected to Dignity UWear and volunteered by sorting the donated clothing.
Each early childhood school of the JCC of Chicago is adopted at least one financially challenged Jewish Family who is unable to buy their own Kosher for Passover food. Each school was provided with a general list of Kosher for Passover non- perishable foods for their family. Families were able to sign up for a non perishable item to shop for with their child. In addition, families were able to contribute $1.00 towards a perishable item. Collection boxes for each classroom were decorated and used to transport the food to a central location. Greeting cards made by the children for a “Chag Sameach” were included.
In Israel, Individuals, families and groups volunteered to pick fruits and vegetables that farmers decided not to harvest during Project Leket. Table to Table distributed all the produce to over 80 organizations, serving people in need of food.
In Louisville, KY, Congregation Adath Jeshurun participated in The Food & Fuzzies Drive where they collected food for the local JFVS food pantry and money that JFVS used to purchase grocery gift cards. The children brought gently used stuffed toys which the sixth graders delivered to the local Jewish nursing home, to be used as pillows for their Seders and then kept as mementos afterward.
In Maryland, Israeli teens from Ashkelon brought smiles and fun to the clients at the Pikesville Senior Adult Day Center.
In Paramus, NJ, Yeshivat Noam participated in “We Care,” a program where different classes went to visit the senior citizens at the Dellridge Care Center. They played games, did art projects and sang songs together.
In NY, The Yeshiva University Running Club hosted a 5k Run/Walk for Israel. All proceeds went to the OneFamily Fund, which supports victims of terror attacks in Israel.
We would like to express our gratitude toward all the organizations and individuals who gave their time, sent us educational materials and offered helpful suggestions. Additionally, we want to acknowledge all the schools, synagogues, agencies and individuals who participated in “Make a Difference” Day and we look forward to your involvement in “Make a Difference” Day 2008.
Save the Date!
“Make a Difference” Day 2008
April 4-6
