Inspirational Mitzvah Ideas

 

(Special thanks to Sheri Wohl Lapidus and Erica Salmon, founders of www.MitzvahMarket.com for sharing incredible mitzvah project ideas with us.  For more, (or even to share your child's story) please check out their website www.MitzvahMarket.com)

 

 

Paige Gindi is from Syosset, NY and designed a Mitzvah Project with the long term in mind.

For her Bat Mitzvah, which was held in June of 2007, Paige established the Paige Gindi Charitable Trust.  Paige then took a portion of the gift money she received from her Bat Mitzvah and placed it in an interest-bearing trust fund.  Each year, she can choose a different non-profit organization to donate money to.

To date, Paige has made two donations to two different organizations.  The first donation was made to the Guide Dog Foundation, which is an organization that provides guide dogs free of charge to blind people who seek enhanced mobility and independence.

Paige’s second donation was made to the Morgan Center in Plainview, NY, which is an organization dedicated to providing preschool age children who are undergoing treatment for cancer the opportunity to interact and socialize in a safe environment that stimulates cognitive and social development. Children on chemotherapy treatment have a suppressed immune system, and could otherwise risk infection and serious illness by attending typical age appropriate preschool programs.

Paige wanted to set up the Paige Gindi Charitable Trust and give a portion of her Bat Mitzvah gifts because she says it feels great helping others.  She also said that if she had kept all of her Bat Mitzvah gifts, rather than giving them away, she would have ended up buying things that were unnecessary. 

We love that Paige designed a Mitzvah Project with no end date.  Thanks to Paige and all of the guests who attended her Bat Mitzvah, people will benefit from the trust for years to come.   

 

Max Meyer is from South Salem, NY and had his Bar Mitzvah in September of 2006.  He included this write-up with his invitation:

“This year I had the opportunity to spend time with Holocaust survivor Joe Best, the father of a dear family friend.  Joe could never bring himself to share his story with anyone (not even with Steven Spielberg when he was filming Schindler’s List.)  I am honored that Joe chose to sit down with me and relay what he went through, and how his courage and strength got him through such a horrifying experience.”

Max shared with us that his Mitzvah Project was two-fold. First he met with Joe’s family members to reveal the names of the family that saved Joe so many years ago.  Joe’s family had no prior knowledge of them and Max was able to relay the information Joe had shared with him and give them a glimpse into what their father’s childhood was like before, during and after the War.

For the second part, Max made a contribution, on behalf of each guest to the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous.  The JFR seeks to identify, honor, and support non-Jews who risked lives to save to Jews during the Holocaust.  One such gentile, Maria Attenberger, hid Joe Best in her barn in Germany.  Joe was forever grateful and never felt that he could repay her for the risk she took.  Each contribution Max makes will be in honor of Joe Best, and in memory of Maria Attenberger.

Additionally, Joe shared with Max that he never had a Bar Mitzvah considering the hardships he and his family had endured.  Max, in turn, shared this with his Rabbi, who suggested Max invite Joe to be “mitzvahed” with him.  The double Bar Mitzvah was a moving and special day for Max, Joe and all of the guests.  Max’s Mitzvah Project led to a day that everyone in attendance will never forget.

To learn more about the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous

For more Mitzvah Kids Making A Difference, visit www.MitzvahMarket.com

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