Navah: Newsletter September/October 2003 (Web Content)
www.navah.org.il
main@navah.org.il
September/October 2003
INSPIRING ROSH HASHANAH EFFORTS
NAVAH takes this opportunity to thank everyone who made generous
donations during the Rosh Hashana period. Your gifts brightened
up the festival for hundreds of terror victims and their families.
For so many people, a chag can be a painful time when they remember
someone they have lost to terror or it is a time for reflection
when they struggle anew with their frightening reality.
It is with this in mind that NAVAH was overwhelmed by the generosity
of people all over the world who reached out over the high holidays
to donate money to victims of terror in their most lonely and
desperate time of need. Below are two heartwarming stories of
two communities - Swiss and American - who showed the true meaning
of generosity and caring for their Israeli brothers and sisters.
Through their inspirational efforts, they succeeded in bringing
much joy to terror victims over the Rosh Hashanah holiday.
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The Federation of Swiss Jewish Communities
reach out to Israeli terror victims
In an inspiring community fundraising effort, the Federation of
Swiss Jewish Communities undertook an initiative recently to raise
$1 per family to help Israeli victims of terror. Thousands of
families participated. The Federation donated the moneys to NAVAH
thus enabling them to send one thousand care packages to terror
victims and their families. The gifts were attached with their
personal greetings which read: "This gift was sent to you
as a present from the Swiss Jewish community. They wish to express
their unlimited solidarity with you, their brothers and sisters
in Israel." NAVAH volunteers traveled throughout Israel,
delivering these packages in time for Rosh Hashanah.
Mr. M in Beit Shean, who was shot and badly injured on the day
of the Israeli elections in January, was one recipient of a Swiss
care package. Nine months after his attack, his life is still
upside down, he is in dire financial straits and his family struggles
to care for him. The care package was warmly received by Mr. M
who was very touched that people all over the world, such as the
Federation of Swiss Jewish Communities, remembered him and other
survivors. Like Mr. M, Meital expressed her thanks in this note:
"I wish all the Jews of Switzerland a happy and healthy new
year. May we have a year of peace and serenity. I was injured
a few years ago and every day I struggle with my new reality.
To know that people care and are concerned for my welfare, makes
me be able to stand up and be strong." David from Netanya
wrote: "Thank you for your concern regarding our situation.
In the merit of people like you, we are truly strengthened and
supported." Many other thank you notes were received all
expressing their gratitude to the Swiss community for their thoughtfulness.
Bear Hugs for Young Victims of Terror
About a year ago, Claire Ginsburg Goldstein and her eleven year-old
son Sam, the only Jewish boy at his school in Bergenfield, New
Jersey, pondered what they could do to help young victims of terror
in Israel. Sam thought of sending children slightly used teddy
bears. Claire thought new ones would be better. And then along
came Ellen Siegel and Martin Volerich. Ellen knew of a place that
sold below-cost teddies, and Martin offered to create promotional
flyers to publicize the project. The Bears from Bergenfield project
was born! In the past year, this dynamic team has sent over 4000
teddy bears and approximately 1000 Rosh Hashanah cards to young
Israeli victims of terror.
Currently, Claire is collecting bears at the Solomon Schechter
Day School of New Milford, New Jersey, where the rest of her children,
Shira (10), Seth (7), and Sarah Rose(6) attend school. Over 750
bears were collected over the high holidays.
People continue to come forward to offer their assistance to
this worthy project. Offers have poured in from shipping companies
and individuals in the USA and Israel generously giving of their
time to ensure the teddy bears are transported to Israel and distributed
to the youngest victims of terror. Indeed, the collection and
delivery of teddy bears has turned into a Bergen County-wide project.
Says Claire, "It's very exciting to see every kind of Jew
contributing. I know what it feels like to feel lost, or have
a loss, and I want to help the children cope with their loss if
I can."
Despite the unbelievable success of the Bears from Bergenfield
Project, Claire is still hoping to collect many more teddy bears
and to include more hospitals in the program in the near future.
The greatest challenge for Claire's team is to find carriers or
an airline that will be willing to offer them reduced rates for
their teddy bear cargo. "I have had great joy in doing this
project," smiles Claire, "I've seen the pictures of
some of the children who have received our bears. It's "bear"y
great!"
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Thank you to everyone for their continued support and generosity
to the hundreds of terror victims and their families. Without
your concern and assistance, NAVAH would be unable to offer its
vital outreach and volunteer services to these people who so desperately
need help due to the tragic situation they suddenly find themselves
in.
Thank you also to the many children throughout the world, who
took the time and effort to create beautiful Rosh Hashanah cards
that were gratefully received by victims of terror throughout
Israel. Your thoughtful gesture brightened the lives of many people
over the festive period, and showed them that even the youngest
members of society were sensitive to their plight.
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Contact Information:
USA: 1-866-448-2824 Canada: 1-877-916-2225 Israel: 02-579-1685
www.navah.org.il
Email: main@navah.org.il
Mailing Address: P.O.B. 368, Kiryat Yearim, 90840, Israel
FRIENDS OF THE NAVAH ORGANIZATION:
www.poster-aid.com
www.energyforisrael.com/navah
www.im4israel.org
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