June 2004 Sivan 5764

Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School

Tzedakah Commission

T A ot ll al oc $ at 45 ed ,44 Introduction 8

What is the Tzedakah Commission?

The Tzedakah Commission is a group of students, grades 10-12, who meet to Inside this issue: allocate our school’s tzedakah money. Students were selected on the merit of their application essay or for previous tzedakah work in the school. Introduction 1

Summary of First 2 What are the goals of the commission? Allocation

1. Distribute the school’s tzedakah money. Israel Chesed Mis- 7 2. Spread the knowledge and performance of the mitzvah of tzedakah among the sion students in our school. 3. Introduce students to interesting organizations that help others. Special Drives and 8 Allocations—Holidays

Special Drives and 9- Where does the money come from? allocations—Projects 11

From you, the students. The tzedakah funds come primarily from two sources: 1) Summary of Third 12 tzedakah collected during minyan and 2) money collected for detention fines. Allocation In addition students contribute to special tzedakah campaigns as the need arises (i.e. M atanot L’evyonim, M aot Chitim, Hatzolah… ). Credits 19- 20

How can the student body get involved?

1. Bring tzedakot to the attention of any member of the committee. One of the main goals of the committee is to serve as a vehicle for all students to get involved in the mitzvah of tzedakah. If any student finds a cause they feel will interest other students, they should leave a note in Senora Ovadia’s box or speak to one of the members of the Tzedakah Commission. Tzedakah Commission

Summary of First Allocation—November ($4,970)

For our first allocation, we followed the following procedure:

1. Choosing the tzedakot. W e began by looking through the mail that organizations had sent our Yeshivah over the previous months. Out of the tens of organizations, we selected between five and ten we felt would best represent the interests of the student body. W e sorted these organizations into categories we had established from previous alloca- tions: a. Basic needs of our local community (Satmar Bikur Cholim) b. M edical needs (Alyn Hospital) c. Social services (Dorot on the local level and NAEOEJ in Ethiopia) d. Education/Talmud Torah (Gesher).

Realizing the importance of basic local needs, members of the commission added other organizations that they knew: Sephardic Food Fund and M etropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. W e decided to leave organizations dealing with Israeli poor to the next allocation; we would devote that allocation to the upcoming Israel Chesed trip in January. Still we had no organization supporting people learning torah. W hile Gesher runs educational activities in Is- rael, we felt that it does not represent a “classic” Talmud Torah organization that supports the actual learning of Torah. One student offered to look at Brooklyn College to see if there was an institution supporting shiruim on campus. This led to contact with the Hillel House at Brooklyn College. Finally Zichron M enachem came to our attention through the tragic deaths of Dr. David and Nava Appelbaum, z”l, in September 2003. Other organizations that had made this “first cut” were later rejected after doing more research.

2. Researching the tzedakot. W e contacted the organizations either by phone or e-mail. Among the questions we typi- cally ask are: a. W hat specific services the organization provides, b. W hat programs will benefit from our contribution, c. W hat percentage of our contribution goes to the actual services and what percentage goes to other administra- tive costs and fundraising, d. Can we earmark our contribution so that 100% of our contribution goes to the actual services, e. Does the organization run programs that would interest high school students.

M ost organizations are happy to share this information. Other helpful websites that provide financial and other information about tzedakot are: www.just-tzedakah.org, and www.guidestar.org. The first is a guide to Jewish organiza- tions, the second is a national database for nonprofit organizations. The research is divided among the commission, and the information is shared by e-mail.

3. Reviewing the halachot. For this allocation the members of the commission attended a shiur by our own Rabbi Zelig Prag. Rabbi Prag addressed the topic of priority in tzedakah giving in general and related to the organizations of this particular allocation. In the previous allocation we reviewed the halachot from the Shulchan Aruch (Yorah Deah, 249,251) using such works as The Laws of Tzedakah and M a’aser by Rabbi Shimon Taub. Our Juniors, of course, learn Hilchot Tzedakah in the halacha curriculum.

4. Allocating the funds. W e started with an approximate sum to allocate – in this case $5,000. Using knowledge of hala- cha and the information presented, each member of the commission filled out a chart. The charts outlined which organi- zation would make the “final cut” and remain on our list and the amount of money to allocate to these orginizations. At our lunch meeting, we noted the major differences between the charts, debated the issues, and came to a consensus re- garding the final list and amounts. For example, most of the students felt we should give about 50% of the total alloca- tion to local needs – hence the large amounts for Sephardic Food Fund, M et Council, and Satmar Bikur Cholim. W ith NACOEJ, some students felt it was important to keep W orld Jewry on our agenda, but others wondered if a cause for Ethiopian Jewry reflects our students’ interests. Page 2 -Tzedakah Commission 2004 Tzedakah Commission

First Allocation ($4,970)

M et Council Alyn Zichron M enahem 750 360 500

S.F.F. Dorot 750 500

360 750 Hillel House 600 400 Satmar Bikur Cholim Gesher NACOEJ

American Friends of Alyn Hospital ($360)

Description: Located in kind in Israel to treat adolescents cope with Jerusalem, Alyn hospital such a broad range of their disabilities. Also, provides excellent medi- physical disabilities. some victims of terrorist cal, para-medical, edu- attacks are brought to W hy this cause: Alyn cational, and social re- Alyn for rehabilitation. Hospital is one of the habilitation for physi- Www.alyn.org premier hospitals in Is- by: Jay Peters cally handicapped chil- rael for rehabilitation. It dren and adolescents. It is important that we is the only hospital of its help these children and

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Zichron Menachem ($500)

Description: Staffed by memory of Nava Appel- W hy this cause: Nava's many doctors and social baum, a’’h, a young girl unfortunate death hit our workers, Zichron M en- tragically murdered by school close to home, achem helps cancer pa- a suicide bomber the since many students and tients and their parents day before her wedding. faculty knew Nava or deal with all the prob- She was killed with her know her relatives. W e lems and hardships that father, Dr. David Appel- were interested in this come when a child is baum, and others in the particular project be- diagnosed with cancer. Café Hillel bombing in cause it involves students Located in Jerusalem, Jerusalem on September our age. Zichron M enachem has 9, 2003. The project many facilities for the plans to build a daycare by: Daniella Steinberg www..zichronmenachem.org children and their par- center for children who ents. have cancer so that they Our donation can hang out with chil- will be going to a new dren like themselves project called "Club and escape their diffi- Nava." It was created in cult lives for a while. Satmar Bikur Cholim ($750) Description: Founded background or affiliation. “How can we support a in 1957 by the Satmar They give strength and cause associated with the Rebetzin, Alta Faiga support and nourish- Satmar community which Teitelbaum, A’H, Sat- ment to patients’ family staunchly opposes the mar Bikur Cholim has members as well. All this State of Israel?” W e con- grown to one of the chesed is done with a cluded that Satmar volun- largest bikur cholim so- smile – and free of teers pay no attention to Contact Information cieties of its kind. From charge. religious or political views when doing their chesed, the main kitchen in W il- W hy this cause: 1. As 718-854-2500 liamsburg, volunteers mentioned, Satmar Bikur and we would do the same assemble customized Cholim helps all Jews when allocating our tzeda- hot meals, delivering because they are Jews. kah. 2. Educationally, we them to 15 hospitals in Countless Flatbush felt students associate the M etropolitan area. alumni, students, and the Satmar community Known for their kind- faculty have benefited only with their stance ness, these volunteers personally from this che- against Zionism, and seek to brighten the sed organization. In our were simply unaware of spirits of any Jewish pa- commission discussions, we the chesed it performs. tient they encounter, raised the question that un- regardless of his/her doubtedly many will raise,

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Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty($750)

Description: program which provides vice programs. Founded in 1972, M et emergency cash assis- W hy this cause: 1. M et Council is the 23rd tance to families facing Council is one of the or- largest non-profit or- eviction or utility turn- ganizations involved in ganization in the offs; they run a Kosher our Pesach Packaging New York M etropoli- Food Network, which project. 2. Despite its tan area. They coor- provides kosher food for huge operation, M et dinate a network of needy families through Council manages to keep Jewish Community their JCC; they own and its overhead down. Councils throughout operate over 1,000 units About 95% of our contri- www.metcouncil.org New York City. of affordable housing for bution goes to the actual Their programs are the needy throughout services. varied: they run a New York City, and aid crisis intervention in many other social ser- By: Steven J. Hidary Hillel House of Brooklyn College ($360)

Description: Hillel together for learning, hundred dollars of our House, home of Brook- recreation, religious ex- contribution will be lyn College Hillel, wel- pression, and social ac- used to buy klafs comes hundreds of Jews tions. This program (parchments) for mezu- from varied back- helps Jewish students zot in the Hillel House. grounds: Russian and attending Brooklyn Col- The remaining $60 will Iranian immigrants, sec- lege strengthen their sponsor one Shabbat www.bchillel.org ond and third genera- Jewish identity. dinner for non- tion Jews from Brook- W hy this cause: Stu- Orthodox students in lyn's large Syrian and dents studying at Ye- which these students get Ashkenazic communi- shivah of Flatbush can a feel of a Shabbat ex- ties, and new Americans benefit from our contri- perience. and visitors from Latin bution, since many of America and Israel. our alumni attend By: Nathan Dweck These students come Brooklyn College. Three Sephardic Food Fund ($750)

Description: The credit cards, Each card help without suffering Sephardic Food Fund contains between $60- the embarrassment of assists community $120. food baskets or other members in financial W hy this cause: This methods of help. need. This assistance superb system is an in- takes the form of special genious way of provid- credit cards, usable in ing families with help By: Diana Haddad www.thesephardicfoodfund.org various grocery stores while maintaining their and supermarkets. Ap- dignity and pride. Peo- pearing like ordinary ple can now receive Page 5 Tzedakah Commission

NACEOJ ($400)

Description: Founded children in Israeli schools, and then to in 1982, the North schools. Some of these move on to high American Conference after-school programs schools. In Ethiopia, on Ethiopian Jewry include Hebrew lan- NACEOJ provides food, (NACEOJ) played an guage, reading, writing, medical care, and hous- important role in rescu- arithmetic skills, English ing to thousands of Jews ing Ethiopian Jewry and language, as well as en- waiting to make aliyah. bringing them to Israel. richment in art, music, W hy This Cause: W e Currently, NACEOJ op- and physical education. wanted to put this issue erates in both Israel and These programs help back in the minds of our Ethiopia. In Israel it ar- Ethiopian children students. ranges after-school pro- achieve their highest By: Rebecca M iller www.nacoej.org grams for Ethiopian potential in elementary

Gesher ($600)

Description: Gesher standing through dia- W e wanted students to dedicates its efforts to logue. In addition they know about this organi- unite religious and secu- run a program for IDF zation. lar Israelis through crea- soldiers. tive educational pro- W hy this cause: Gesher grams. Gesher organizes has been successful in By: Hal Doueck seminars, writes text- accomplishing two goals books, and even pro- vital to the Jewish com- duces a nationally munity: 1. Unity among watched television sit- Jews, 2. Bringing secular com - all to foster under- Jews closer to Judaism. www.gesher.co.il Dorot ($500)

Description: DOROT include Friendly visit- W hy This Cause: M any provides elders with ing, Cemetery Visits, of our students are in- food, housing, compan- Insight, Holiday Pack- volved in programs ionship, and opportuni- age Deliveries, Thanks- such as these and realize ties for social, intellec- giving Banquet and how important they are. tual and cultural enrich- Homebound Delivery. They allow senior citi- ment. Services are pro- Aside from reconnect- zens to live a normal vided to senior citizens ing them to the commu- life. in the five boroughs of nity, DOROT allows so- www.dorot.org New York City, W est- cialization among the By: Ariella Starvach chester County, Long senior adults, which is Island, New Jersey, and vital for people their Florida. Their programs age.

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Second Allocation ($10,070) ] Israeli Chesed Mission - January ]

The last two winter vacations, Rabbi Besser took a group of students, their families, and faculty from the Yeshivah on a Chesed mission to Israel. This year the group visited 15 organizations in about a 10 day period. In addition to the acts of Chesed that they performed, they gave the organizations donations from the Yeshivah of Flatbush Tzedakah fund. Be- fore the trip, Rabbi Besser met with a delegation from the Tzedakah Commission to describe the organizations, and the commission allocated accordingly. In addition to the amounts listed below, the commission allocated $500 for Rabbi Besser and his group to distribute if they encountered any new projects. The $500 was split among several of the organi- zation listed below which made the largest impact on the group. Note: The Ladies Auxiliary of the Yeshivah of Flat- bush donated $160 towards the Chesed Trip.

Organization M oney Allo- Organization M oney Allo- cated cated Al M agor $300 Kids for Kids $500

Bayit L’platot $250 Kobi M andel Founda- $1,000 tion Beit Halochem $360 M eir Panim $1,200 Chavilot M ehabayit $300 Neve M ichael $1,000 Chazon Yeshaya $300 Sameach V’Samach $400 Committee for Ra- $350 chel’s Tomb Shalva $300 Ezer M izion $1,200 Tishma $360 Kav L’Chaim $500

Kedma $250 Yad Ezra V’Shulamit $1,000

] Al M agor—An organization that organizes visits with families of terror victims. ] Bayit L’platot— A home for orphaned girls in Jerusalem. ] Beit Halochem—A center for special Olympics in Israel, located in Tel Aviv. ] Chevilot M ehabayit— An organization that prepares packages for soldiers. ] Chazon Yeshaya - A soup kitchen in Yerushalayim. ] Committee for Rachel’s Tomb— An organization which delivers food to soldiers. ] Ezer M izion - Among its many activities, it makes hot meals for patients in hospitals and their families. ] Kav L’Chaim - Coordinates special programs for children with cancer and special needs. ] Kedma - An office in Yerushalyim which matches students living in Israel to chesed projects. ] Kids for Kids— Located in Rova, their an organization for teens who lost their friends and/or relatives to terror. ] Kobi M andel Foundation - An organization which provides a wide range of services to those who have lost family members in terrosist attacks in Israel. ] M eir Panim—A soup kitchen that has a restaurant atmosphere. ] Neve M ichael—An Emunah home for children-at-risk, located in Pardes Chana. ] Sameach V’Samach— A Gemillat Chesed fund for kallot. ] Shalva— A special facility for developmentally disabled children, located in Har Nof. ] Tishma— A center for Autism in Jerusalem. ] Yad Ezra V’Shulamit - An organization in the M eah Shearim neighborhood, where we packaged food for poor families in Jeru- salem.

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SPECIAL DRIVES AND PROJECTS ($22,228)

Over the year, we ran six tzedakah drives, three to help people with their needs before chagim, one for the Jewish National Fund, one for the Israeli town M a’aleh Gilboa, and currently one for Hatzolah. During these drives, we designated the monies collected in minyan to a particular cause. The drives consisted mostly of making signs and announcements over the loudspeaker. These drives were sometimes joint efforts with other school commissions like Israel Awareness. In general, the tzedakah commission collects money in classrooms only on two occasions – before Purim and before Pesach. W e do this to remind students about their obligation to give tzedakah for M atanot L’evyonim and M a’ot Chitim. In addition, special circumstances and projects came to our attention calling for our support. Here we catered the amounts according to the need and made one-time allocations from the Tzeda- kah fund. SPECIAL DRIVES ($11,788)

Chagim ($10,888) 1. Succot ($1,760)

] $1,400 from minyanim over approximately two weeks. W e divided this money among two organizations distributing food before the holiday: Aishel Shabbat (718-258-4845) and Tomchei Shabbat of Boro Park and Flatbush Thank you to Ariella Stavrach for bringing Aishel Shabbat to our attention. ] $360 to help build Succot for Israeli soldiers. This project was coordinated through the Board of Jewish Education (BJE) of New York.

2. M atanot L’evyonim ($2,900)

There is one of the special mitzvoth of Purim - to give tzedakah to the needy on the day of Purim. (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, 694).

] $900 from minyanim, which was given to M ishloach M anot for the poor in the community. Our students bought the food and assembled the packages in school. W e thank Senior M ichelle Prus for coordinating this project. ] $988 and one 50 shekel bill from classes, and $500 dollars from the teachers. This money was distributed in Israel on the day of Purim (or Shulchan Purim in Yerushalyim) through Israel Chesed Fund. For more information about this organization, see www.aish.com/jewishissues/israeldiary/Jerusalems_Supermen.asp . ] $500 dollars for M ishloach M anot to Israeli soldiers in Israel through a program run by Young Israel.

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SPECIAL DRIVES AND PROJECTS (continued) continued from page 8

3. M a’ot Chitim ($6228)

There is a special mitzvah to provide poor people with their Pesach needs. (ibid. 429:1)

] $500 from the classrooms, which was donated to For The Needy M eal Center, a soup kitchen in Israel near the Neve Sha’anan neighborhood of Haifa (www.hot-meal-center-forall.com). Thank you to sopho- more Sean Levine for introducing us to this organization and helping us arrange a meeting with its Executive Director, M s. Bilha Gazit. ] $3600 from the Tzedakah fund to local aniyim, distributed by Tomchei Shabbat of Boro Park and Flat- bush. ] $1000 from the Tzedakah fund to the Aleph Institute for 40 seder packages to be sent to Jewish American Soldiers serving in the Gulf and throughout the world. The Aleph Institute in Florida, (www.aleph- institute.org) administered this project. ] $768 to help offset the costs of our Pesach Packaging program. $600 came from our Tzedakah fund and $168 from checks from faculty and one student, Albert Beyda, freshman. The checks were made out to COJO—Flatbush, the organization that funds the Pesach Packaging program. ] $360 from the Tzedakah fund for Pesach needs of families living in Yesha in Israel. Thank you to M r. Bruce Rudolph, father of senior Alumah Rudolph and sophomore Chaya Rudolph, for bringing this tzedakah to our attention.

SPECIAL DRIVES

4. Jewish National Fund ($500)

The week before Tu b’shvat, the tzedakah money from minyan went to the Jewish National Fund (JNF) to plant trees in Israel. Specifically we directed the money to the Ilan Ramon, z’’l, campaign to plant trees in the Negev. Thank you to Rachel Klechevsky, alumnus (HS, ’02), and office assistant, for informing us about this cam- paign. Rachel helped coordinate this campaign on the Brooklyn College Campus. 5. M a’aleh Gilboa ($400)

The Israel Awareness Commission ran a campaign to raise money for the town of M a’aleh Gilboa. The drive, consisting of signs, posters and maps around the school, culminated in a basketball and backgammon tour- nament with about 70 participants. Proceeds from the tournament totaled $1400. In addition, we directed the money from minyanim for the week, $400, to M a’aleh Gilboa. Thus the total amount raised in Yeshivah of Flatbush for M a’aleh Gilboa was $1800. Thank you to the Israel Awareness Commission, headed by Rabbi Gur Berman, for initiating this highly successful campaign.

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SPECIAL DRIVES AND PROJECTS (continued) continued from page 9

6. Hatzolah of Flatbush

Yeshivah of Flatbush Elementary School and High School run an annual campaign for Hatzolah of Flatbush. Like last year, we direct the minyan money from the last weeks of school to this cause. At the publication of this newsletter, the campaign is ongoing, so please give generously!

Important note: These drives represents only one type of tzedakah drive. M r. Lonny Benamy, M s. Shifra Hanon, and a committee of students are currently directing a supplies drive for American soldiers in Iraq. The impetus for this cam- paign was a letter from Captain M oses Scheinfeld, a religious Jew and commander in the Iron Ranger Battalion.

SPECIAL PROJECTS ($8,440)

1. Kids for Kids - $3,000 ([email protected])

“Kids for Kids” is a youth organization in Israel dedicated to helping young victims of terror rebuild their lives. Part of this work includes involving students throughout the Diaspora. In M ay, members of “Kids for Kids” ran a powerful presentation, M ending Shattered Lives, for our students.

2. M agen David Adom - $2,500

The Kehilath Jethurun/Ramaz community on the Upper East Side of M anhattan organized a W alk for Israel on M ay 9th, Lag B’Omer. The goal for the event was to raise funds for M agen David Adom to pur- chase much needed defibrillators. Our contribution of $2,500 covers the cost of one defibrillator. Thank you to M s. Stacy Scheinberg for alerting us to this campaign.

3. Yad Eliezer - $500

Yad Eliezer is one of the premier chesed organizations in Israel. In particular our contribution went to support the family of Chezi Goldberg, z”l, father of seven, who was murdered by terrorists. M r. Goldberg was the nephew of Ezra and Shifra Hanon. continue on page 11

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SPECIAL DRIVES AND PROJECTS (continued) continued from page 10

4. Project Ore - $400

Project Ore brings volunteers to soup kitchens to distribute food and interact with the people there. The goal of the program is to bring warmth and good company to those in need. Our students, under the di- rection of senior, Talia Abadie, went twice to a soup kitchen in M anhattan. The money went to pur- chase lunches at Negev and to buy towels to give out at the soup kitchen. In the winter, our students dis- tributed scarves. Thank you to Negev for their generosity. W e also thank M r. Jack M ann, a Vice Presi- dent of our Yeshivah, for donating the scarves for the first visit.

5. Yachad - $360

Under the direction of Rabbi Besser, our students have initiated a unique program: a joint YOF-Yachad play. This contribution helps to cover the cost for that program.

6. Congregation Tifereth Israel - $180 (www.tifereth-israel.com)

Congregation Tifereth Israel is a 102 year-old synagogue in Greenport, New York. Our contribution helps in an ongoing effort to collect and preserve materials documenting the history of the synagogue and of the Jewish community in the area. The synagogue’s librarian and archivist is M s. Elaine Goldman, beloved school secretary and office manager for almost 20 years. (M s. Goldman addressed her letter to all the “wonderful students.”) W e wish M s. Goldman and her husband Phil continued health and happiness in their retirement.

7. M ashadi Synagogue - $100

M ashadi Synagogue is one of the centers of the Persian community in Great Neck, NY. M any of the con- gregants descend from the Jews of M ashad, Iran who were forcibly converted to Islam in the end of the 19th century, but continued to live as secret Jews. M s.W ielgus, took her Sephardic Jewish History class to the M ashadi Synagogue on a trip to the Persian community in Great Neck.

8. Individuals - $1,400

Over the year, we distributed this money to individuals with a long-standing relationship to our Ye- shivah. All checks were written to organizations serving these individuals.

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Summary of Third Allocation—May ($10,180)

For our last allocation, we set to distribute approximately $10,000. For such a large al- location we wanted to give to a wide range of causes. W e specifically wanted to include Tal- mud Torah causes– and causes dealing with poverty. To find Talmud Torah causes, we con- sulted faculty and parents. For basic needs, several suggested Sephardic Bikur Cholim, an organization widely recognized in the local community. Other names came our way through newspaper articles (“Table to Table” in The Jewish W eek) and parlor meetings (Refaeinu, and Hamakom Sheli). Before discussing any individual cause we decided on the percentage we would allo- cate to each category of causes. Each member had submitted his/her opinion before the meeting. M ost allocated about 1/3 of the total to basic needs (food, clothing) – hence the total number $3400. W e had four organizations in this category, one local and three Israeli. Usu- ally, “aniyei ircha kodmin,” or local needs take precedence. In this case, though, we distributed the bulk of the $3,400 to the Israeli organizations for two reasons: 1. W e had three Israeli or- ganizations among which to divide the money. 2. Due to the hard economic and security situation in Israel, poverty in Israel has grown dramatically. Our three Israeli organizations each tackle poverty through different mediums - through Israeli soldiers, through school children, and through soup kitchens. W e allocated the next largest percentage, about 1/4, to Talmud Torah, as it holds an important place in tzedakah giving (Yoreh Deah, 249:16). The bulk of this money went to M attan Bassetter, the cause, we felt, which presented the most immediate need and the most profound communal impact. Of the remaining causes three merited their own category: The M ary Tawil Founda- tion (Hachnasat Kallah), NJOP (Outreach) and Refaeinu (M edical Needs). The Shulchan Aruch highlights Hachnasat Kallah, wedding expenses for impoverished brides, as a need requiring special attention. (See, ibid. 249:15, 250:2.) Jewish outreach has taken on new im- portance with the increase of assimilated or unaffiliated Jews. W e isolated medical needs be- cause they are so basic to human life. W e placed our remaining three organizations in a gen- eral “other needs” category. W e allocated $2,400 to the more distinct categories and $1,800 to our “other needs” category.

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Third Allocation ($10,180)

Basic Needs—Israel Hachnasat Basic Needs—Local Kallah $2,400 , 24%

$1,000 , 10% $800 , 8%

Outreach Talmud Torah $800 , 8%

$2,520 , 24% $800 , 8% M edical $1,800 , 18% Other Needs

TALMUD TORAH Mattan Basseter ($1500)

Description: M attan Baset- migrants from Damascus. year is the time of greatest ter is a non-profit organiza- M attan Bassetter feels that financial need for M attan tion, specializing in remov- no Jewish child should be Bassetter as they strive to ing underprivileged chil- denied a Jewish education pay the remaining tuition dren currently attending because of the family’s fi- balances. public schools and placing nancial situation. 4. W e were impressed with them in local yeshivot. W hy this cause: 1. M attan the initiative of the organi- Once a child is successfully Bassetter serves the local zation’s founders, M r. placed in a yeshiva, M attan community in a profound Aslan Bawabeh and his Bassetter commits to pay- way. This cause falls under daughter, M rs. Lori M iz- ing whatever percentage of the halacha of “a’niyei ircha rahi (HS ’97) who helps him the tuition that cannot be kodmin,” that local needs run the organization. M at- paid by the parents or ye- take precedence. tan Bassetter is a prime ex- shiva. ample of what can be done 2. One hundred percent of Once a small project, M at- when community members our contribution goes to pay tan Bassetter currently respond to local needs. for these tuition bills. All works with 14 community those working for the or- yeshivot in placing ap- ganization work for free proximately 400 students. and there is no overhead. M any of these students are Israeli; some are Syrian im- 3. The end of the school

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Sephardic Torah Center ($360)

Description: Located in direction of Rabbi Shlomo community, offering study Deal, New Jersey, this kollel Diamond. sessions nightly and is about 30 years old. The throughout the summer. W hy this cause: This kollel, approximately 80 men known to some of our stu- By: Diana Haddad studying there focus on Tal- dents, forms a connection mud and Halacha under the with members of the Deal Yeshivat Zichron Meir ($360)

Description: Yeshivat tution to M ountaindale, NY its reputation for taking Zichron M eir is a yeshiva about 15 years ago to pro- boys from troubled circum- for high school and post vide a more isolated envi- stances and bringing them high school men. Rabbi Ye- ronment for their students. closer to Judaism in a loving hudah Davis founded the These men focus on their environment. Yeshiva about 35 years ago studies as well as tikun mi- in Brighton Beach, Brook- dot, or character refinement. lyn. The administration of W hy this cause: W hat made the yeshiva moved the insti- this yeshiva stand out was Thank you to our own Rabbi Zelig Prag and M r. Ronald Tawil, Trustee and grandparent of sophomore Esther Dushey, for bringing this organization to our attention.

Virtual Beit Midrash ($360)

Description: The VBM is an brew, English, and on occa- W hile there have been educational website offer- sion – French. The money many Israeli yeshivot af- ing high level Jewish stud- will be used to fund a week of fected severely by the diffi- ies courses to subscribers shiurim, dedicated to our cult economic and security throughout the world. The alumni who have studied and situation, we felt the VBM is VBM is affiliated with Ye- continue to study at Yeshivat one which impacts the Jew- shivat Har Etzion in Alon Har Etzion. ish world beyond its local Shevut, Israel, one of the W hy this cause: 1. As men- community. 2. Yeshivat Har premier hesder yeshivot in tioned above, this website Etzion is a hesder yeshivah, Israel headed by Rabbis Ye- does not offer just divrei where students make a five- huda Amital and Aharon Torah but ongoing courses year commitment to com- Lichtenstein. On this web- – with a high level of so- bine Torah study with army www.vbm-torah.org site one can find courses in phistication and scholar- service. Thus this yeshivah Talmud, Talmud M ethodol- ship. M any of these courses embodies our school’s com- ogy, Jewish Philosophy, are given by world experts mitment to Religious Zion- Tanach, Parshat ha-Shavu’a in their fields. Thus Jewish ism. and Halacha. W ith a reader- educators turn to this site ship of 17,000, the VBM of- for their own preparation. fers these shiurim in He-

Page 14 TzTezdeadkaakha hC oCmommmisissisoino n

BASIC NEEDS—LOCAL Sephardic Bikur Holim ($1,000)

Description: Sephardic City Harvest. The an- lead productive, inde- Bikur Holim provides a nual budget for SBH is pendent lives. wide range of social ser- over four million dol- W hy this cause: SBH is vices in our local com- lars. widely recognized munity. Among its Freddy and Glo- among our students for many programs are 1. ria Bijou and Dr. Robert the excellent work it Tutoring or "homework and Barbara M atalon does. M any of our stu- helpers," 2. Big founded SBH over 30 dents participate in SBH Brother/Big Sister, 3. years ago. M r. Joseph programs. Some serve W eekly Shabbat pack- Beyda, a"h, broadened on its youth committee ages of flowers, chalot, the scope of the organi- which tries to spread www.sbhonline.org and food, 4. Oneg Shab- zation, defining its mis- chesed among the youth bat and other visits to sion to what it is today: of the community. nursing homes, 5. Bi- to improve and main- weekly soup kitchen tain the health and well and bingo in M anhat- being of individuals and tan, and 6. Deliveries for families, helping them

BASIC NEEDS—ISRAEL Friends of the IDF Rabbinate ($800)

Description: The Rab- on leave because they food packages for their binate of the Israeli De- don’t want to burden families. Our tzedakah fense Forces (IDF, or tza- their families, while oth- is going toward this hal) has undertaken to ers return late to their project. help impoverished fami- bases because they have W hy this cause: As lies of IDF soldiers. found work to send mentioned above, such About 10% of soldiers home extra money. The stories are becoming come from such families. IDF Rabbinate tries to more prevalent in Israeli Some of these soldiers send these soldiers society today. are reluctant to go home home with substantial

W e thank Rabbi Ellis Bloch, the Director of the Department of Yeshivot and Day Schools at the Board of Jewish Education (BJE) of New York for introducing us to this project.

Page 15 Tzedakah Commission

Table to Table ($800) Description: Table to Ta- creased its service, pro- than a soup kitchen so ble, or Shulchan l’shul- viding about 5,000 meals that he would not have chan, was founded last a week – 90% in the mer- to spend money on the year by Joseph Gitler, a caz, or center of the coun- food preparation. The recent American oleh. A try, and 10% in Jerusalem. approximate cost per meal lawyer by training, M r. Specifically our money is 25 cents. Gitler observed the goes to cover such costs as 2. Table to Table is a growing poverty in Israel packaging and car insur- small organization with and sought to alleviate it ance as well as to facilitate the potential and desire anyway he could. the buying of a refriger- to grow. W e felt our ated truck. Built on the tzedakah money would model of City Harvest, W hy This Cause: 1. Table go a long way in further- www.tabletotable.org.il Table to Table salvages to Table strives to keep its ing the goals of such an food that would other- costs down, employing organization. Table to wise be discarded and only two paid employees table is a great example delivers it to soup kitch- among approximately 400 of what one person can ens and other “meals on volunteers. M r. Gitler also accomplish with determi- wheels” type of organi- pointed out that he pre- nation and strong values. zations. In a short time, ferred forming a food res- Table to Table has in- cue organization rather

Emunah Netanya ($800) Description: W hile Geula Emunah branch in snowballed into a large Emunah, previously Netanya. This program operation, preparing 54 known as National Reli- sends weekly food pack- packages a week with a gious W omen’s Organi- ages to impoverished monthly budget of 15,000 zation, was founded in families, catering each shekels. In addition, 1935, it’s goal has re- package to the needs of Emunah has sought to mained the same: to ad- the family. The Emunah sponsor children’s tui- vance social welfare in volunteers locate the tion to gan to try to reach www.emunha.org Israel. Today over families with the help of more families in need. 100,000 Emunah volun- local social services and W hy this cause: One teers work throughout bring the packages to lo- hundred percent of our Israel in local branches cal schools. The parents contribution goes toward and chapters. (There are pick up the packages as the project. The project is 32 chapters worldwide.) they pick up their chil- staffed entirely by volun- Our tzedakah dren from gan, or nursery. teers, and other overhead goes to help fund one of W hat started out such as postage is cov- the programs at the as a small project has ered separately.

W e would like to thank our teacher, M rs. Sara Rosenbaum, for bringing this project to our attention, as her mother-in-law, Esther Rosenbaum, is one of the volunteers. M rs. Rosenbaum put us in contact with one of the coordinators of this project, M rs. Roz-Ruth Friedman. Page 16 Tzedakah Commission

OUTREACH National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP) ($800)

Description: NJOP is an grams at more than 3620 “spiritual pikuach independent, non-profit locations across North nefesh.” organization which is dedi- America, and in 30 coun- 2. NJOP is a widely visible cated to providing a basic tries worldwide. NJOP organization. Students Jewish education for every has successfully reached have seen the advertise- Jew in America. NJOP close to 730,000 North ments for Shabbat Across reaches out to unaffiliated American Jews and en- America, or Learn He- Jews by offering them posi- gaged them in Jewish brew on the subway. W e tive, joyous, Jewish educa- life. wanted to educate the stu- tional opportunities and W hy This Cause: 1. W e dent body about this or- experiences. NJOP has chose to give to this or- ganization. many programs such as: ganization because it is free "Crash Courses" in He- very important to help By: Rebecca M iller brew Reading and Basic bring secular Jews closer www.njop.org Judaism, TURN FRIDAY to their religion. As the NIGHT INTO SHABBAT rate of assimilation in programs and Beginners America rises, NJOP Services, as well as Jewish stands at the forefront of consciousness raising ad- the battle for Jewish sur- vertising campaigns. Cur- vival. Thus this cause renly, NJOP offers pro- represents a type of

HACHNASAT KALLAH The Mary Tawil Foundation ($800)

Description: For the past is mentioned as a separate Flora and M eyer Tawil, 28 years, this organiza- category in the laws of a”h. M ary, a Yeshivah of tion has provided thou- tzedakah (See, ibid. 249:15, Flatbush graduate (HS, sands of orphaned girls 250:2). The Schach, a com- ’73), passed away at the such necessities of mar- mentary on the Shulchan age of eighteen. M ary was riage as linens, beds, ap- Aruch, highlights the par- a special soul who in- pliances, and dishes, as ticular need of orphaned spired many, especially well as wedding ex- brides. 2. This tzedakah during the time of her ill- penses. W hy this cause: has a special place in our ness. W hile she was a stu- 1. Hachnasat Kallah, pro- hearts, as the Foundation is dent at Flatbush, she dem- viding wedding expenses named in memory of M ary onstrated strong connec- for impoverished brides, Tawil, a”h, daughter of tions to Eretz Yisrael.

Thank you to Grace Betesh, M ary's cousin and mother of Sylvia Betesh, our com- missioner, for bringing this organization to our attention. Page 17 Tzedakah Commission

MEDICAL

Refaeinu ($800)

Description: Based in Refaeinu helps families children with cancer, Netanya, Israel, Re- find the right doctors and air radio programs faeinu provides a vari- and treatment. They with expert doctors to ety of medical services. maintain an ambulance answer questions. W hen illness strikes, service, run a camp for By: Victoria Dahan www.refaeinu.org

OTHER NEEDS

Ohel ($600)

Description: Founded ments. Ohel offers coun- W hy this cause: Ohel in 1969, Ohel is an or- seling and other services provides crucial support ganization that helps for victims of domestic to families in need in children and families in abuse and their chil- our community. all kinds of crises. For dren. In addition, Ohel Also, our students example, Ohel, provides provides community recognize Ohel from foster care and adoption residences and employ- their participation in services for children, ment programs for men- the “Big Brother/Big screening the homes for tally ill adults. Sister” program at www.ohelfamily.org their Jewish environ- school.

Ha’azinu ($600)

Description: Haazinu hearing equipment. Fur- their diagnosis through provides aid and emo- thermore, Haazinu helps the high school and col- tional support to hear- hearing-impaired chil- lege years. ing-impaired children dren become accepted W hy this cause: W e and their families. into mainstream Jewish wanted to educate the Among the many ser- schools. Founded four- student body about an vices it provides, Haaz- teen years ago to help a organization that may inu helps parents cope handful of children, be unknown to them www.haazinu.org with the original diag- Haazinu now serves over that provides a unique nosis and obtain the 300 children around the service. necessary therapy and world from the time of

W e first encountered Haazinu when they honored our sophomore, Jeremy Kaller, at their dinner last year.

Page 18 Tzedakah Commission

Hamkom Sheli ($600) Description: HaM akom HaM akom Sheli is the were not aware of it al- Sheli is an Argentinean only Jewish school of Hebrew School for stu- its kind in Argentina. dents with learning dis- W hy this cause: The abilities and special Argentinean Jewish needs. The school excels community has been at providing personal devastated by the eco- ready – and show our www.emergencyfund.org attention – the teacher to nomic crash and ensuing support. student ratio is almost inflation. W e felt we 2:1 – and contains spe- should alert students to By: Hal Doueck cially designed facilities. this situation – if they

Special Thanks Thank you to M s. Shani Rosenblum and M r. David Blumenthal for their invaluable assistance. Thank you to Simon Chamama and Julian Horowitz for sorting and counting the money throughout the year. Thank you to faculty advisor, Rabbi Jeremy Spierer, for his knowledge and guidance.

Tzedakah Commission 2003-2004 Seniors Juniors Sophomores

Sylvia Betesh – Commissioner Ariella Starvach—Secretary Victoria Dahan

Nathan Dweck Daniella Steinberg—Secretary Hal Doueck

Annie Fink Avi Sutton—Literary Editor, Diana Haddad Newsletter Etan Keller Steven J. Hidary—Layout Editor, Newsletter Sol M izrahi Rebecca M iller

Jay Peters

Special thanks to graduating seniors Sylvia Betesh and Etan Keller who have participated on this commission since its inception three years ago. W elcome to Senora Sara Ovadia who joins the Tzedakah Commission as it’s new faculty advisor.

The Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School Tzedakah Commission 1609 Avenue J. Brooklyn, NY 11230 718.377.1100

Your Change Can Change Lives!! Give Tzedakah. Page 19 Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School

After receiving our donations, many organi- zations kindly respond with a thank you let- ter. Below are a few examples of these letters. Unfortunately at the end of this school year, Rabbi Spierer, our faculty adviser, will be moving on to a different yeshiva. Below, we, the Tzedakah Commission of 2003-2004, have written a “thank you” letter to him for all his hard work and efforts which he has put into this commission.

Dear Rabbi Spierer, During our times on this commission, you helped us find our internal Jewish humanitarianism and act upon this urge to help others. From private classes on tzedakah to "official" meetings with representatives from organizations, you guided us through it all. From Commissioner to Public Relations, you made sure that we were all a team and all of our opinions were taken into account; you created an ideal commission. Not only was our love for other Jews intensified, but so were our leadership skills. W e will surely take this new found love to higher levels (b"h) as we embark on our own journeys. Good luck in everything and hopefully you'll come back to visit!! —       “

-The Tzedakah Commission 2003-2004 Page 20