MYRIAM'S
DREAM, INC.
1500
Palisade Avenue
Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024
Continuing the vision of Myriam Mendilow in Israel and
throughout the World
WEBSITE: www.myriamsdream.org
Dear
Supporters of Myriam’s Dream:
Amidst
the trauma and tragedy here and in Israel in the last
few years, we have witnessed the indomitable strength
of the human spirit and the healing power generated
by a community that rallies to support its own in times
of need. Today, more than ever, the disadvantaged, the
disabled, and the elderly members of our society need
our support, both spiritual and financial. Myriam’s
Dream is proud to provide such support around the world,
and stands in awe of the resiliency and dedication of
the people it has the privilege to serve year after
year. Despite increasing violence and shrinking budgets,
the institutions that Myriam’s Dream supports
continue to honor the highest principles of tsedakah,
righteous giving, and tikkun olam, repairing the world.
We hope you will read the descriptions that follow of
the latest grants offered by Myriam’s Dream and
share our delight and wonderment at the acts of lovingkindness
being performed every day around the world.
We also hope you will be inspired to participate in
our ongoing tsedakah projects by making a generous donation,
or by becoming an active supporter of Myriam’s
Dream. The time to help is now.
As
we celebrate the arrival of 5764, may you find it in
your hearts to help others find joy and gratitude for
a new beginning.
L’shana
tova,
for the Board
of Directors,
MYRIAM's DREAM and BEGED KEFET
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GRANTS
May
you find it in your heart to help others
find joy and comfort for a new beginning.
We
hope you will read the descriptions that follow of
the latest Grants offered by MYRIAM’S DREAM
and share our delight and wonderment at the acts of
loving kindness being performed every day around the
world.
We
also hope you will be inspired to participate in our
ongoing Tzedakah projects by making a generous donation,
by purchasing BEGED KEFET recordings or arranging
a BEGED KEFET concert in your community, or by becoming
an active supporter of MYRIAM’S DREAM
Some
of the 2003 Tzedakah Projects
Supported By Myriam's Dream
MOGILEV
For a little over a year, MYRIAM’S DREAM has
teamed up with a volunteer group in Florida which
provides assistance to the elderly poor, handicapped,
and youth of Mogilev, Belarus, 70 miles east of Minsk.
The Chernobyl explosion nuclear fallout polluted the
air and ground in the area. The children were most
vulnerable. Our assistance helps send them to summer
camp. In addition, MYRIAM'S DREAM helps to send money,
educational materials, vitamins, blankets, and clothing
to the impoverished elderly. Although it is extraordinarily
difficult to send these items, particularly money,
to Belarus, this group has developed a unique way,
through trusted couriers and contacts, to overcome
the difficulties.
EILAT
CHILDREN'S FUND
In the Ethiopian Moadon, an inter-generational community
center in Eilat, Israel, new Ethiopian families learn
about nutrition and proper hygiene, and improve
their Hebrew speaking ability for living in contemporary
Israel.
The
Grandparents / Grandchildren program
provides education in child care to grandparents who
are the guardians or who babysit their grandchildren
so the mothers can continue
to earn a living. These grandparents know little about
games, exercises, nutrition, etc.
because many of them were not exposed
to modern methods in their
countries of origin. MYRIAM'S
DREAM helps feed and care for the children while educating
their caretakers. Recently purchased for the
program were equipment, toys, rugs and mattresses,
and facilities to provide light refreshments for the
grandparents. This year The Eilat Childrenís
Fund received an award from the Mayor and the City
of Eilat, noting MYRIAM’S DREAM.
RABBANIT
BRACHA KAPACH of Jerusalem
In
another religion, the Rabbinit Bracha Kapach, herself
an elderly woman, might be considered for sainthood.
Although she has assistants, neither she nor any of
her helpers are paid.
MYRIAM’S DREAM is supporting two of her projects.
-
One
is her Passover Food Drive. During
the three days preceding Passover, people line
up at her door to receive the free Passover food
packages that she personally prepared. About 40%
of the people are considered elderly. This past
year she distributed 5500 packages, more than
ever before, though it still wasn't enough! We
have seen impressive photographs of thousands
of boxes of Matzah stacked floor to ceiling in
her work area.
-
Our
other support is for "Providing for
People During the Year." The Rabbanit
distributes about $500 a week in cash to the poor
of Jerusalem who come knocking at her door, about
50% of whom are elderly. She also runs several
other projects: a summer camp for children who
can’t afford camp, wedding dresses to loan
to brides who can’t afford one, and, a used
clothing warehouse for people who can’t
afford to buy.
Recently
the Rabbanit assisted both the bride and the groom
in a wedding. The groom was an orphan marrying an
Ethiopian girl who was the child of a divorce. The
Rabbanit arranged for the use of the courtyard of
a nearby house, arranged for a caterer to donate food
for 60 people, and even assisted with the guest list.
YITAV
JERUSALEM
David Zehavi, Chair
PO Box 3998, Jerusalem 91039 Israel
 David
Zahavi and his volunteer helpers work primarily from
a bank of telephones. Each day they telephone the
isolated poor elderly and handicapped to check on
their health and their needs and to offer encouragement
and a friendly voice. If essential home repairs or
maintenance are required, the volunteers take care
of them. YITAV cares for 1400 needy senior citizens
in Jerusalem. MYRIAM’S DREAM helps to cover
the cost of the telephones, travel, and the supplies
needed for repairs.
BEIT
FRANKFORTER, Jerusalem
"Sandwiches by Savtas"
During the summer the Savtas (elderly women) of Beit
Frankforter have undertaken to prepare 300 sandwiches
a day for children's camp programs. With the expense
of rolls, filling, and juice, the cost to Beit Frankforter
is approximately $525 per week or $2100 per month.
MYRIAM'S DREAM has given a grant for the summer programs
and, with your help, would like to continue this volunteer
effort into the winter months.
CLICK
-
Community Leadership & Intervention of
Crisis for Kids and Elderly
CLICK, a major beneficiary organization of MYRIAM'S
DREAM in Hod Hasharon Israel, has undergone dramatic
changes during the past year. Due to budget restraints,
the Municipality again cut back its support of CLICK
and the Community Social Worker was "retrenched.
CLICK's Director writes, "We seem to be fighting
a continual upward battle…resulting in many
endless sleepless night. CLICK continues to flourish
with many new enthusiastic volunteers (47 in total)
and to develop new projects that involve active support
of the local community. The elderly are eager participants
in both fundraising activities and providing services."
Major
accomplishments of this year are:
-
painting
and rejuvenating housing for the elderly by young
leadership;
-
forming
a partnership with local members of the Rotary
to participate in Click’s Community Club
for the Aged;
-
renovating
the house of an elderly Holocaust survivor, working
together with a building contractor and high school
students; and,
-
volunteering
by both pupils and teachers for a series of programs
to teach the elderly such diverse subjects as cleaning
for Passover, literature, Torah, and computer skills.
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NEWS
FROM BEGED KEFET
More
than 12 years in the making, Beged Kefet
is thrilled to announce the upcoming November release
of their third CD, "One Little Dot."
The recording features fifteen previously unrecorded
songs, including some that have become beloved staples
of the Beged Kefet repertoire in the last
decade and some that will be new to even the most
devoted Beged Kefet groupies. The new release,
along with Beged Kefet’s first two
recordings (The First Album and Go Out In Joy),
can be purchased using the order
form on this web site.
For
those who have been waiting patiently, we are also
pleased to report that we have a new stock of The
First Album, which has been sold out
for quite some time. While we regret any inconvenience
caused by the unavailability of that recording, we
are extremely delighted that it is now in its fourth
printing, with many thousands of copies having been
sold since its 1987 debut.
| Since
the last Newsletter, Beged Kefet has enjoyed much
nachas! We celebrate as Leon Sher has fulfilled
a lifelong dream and was invested as a Cantor
by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of
Religion. For those of you keeping score, that’s
2 rabbis, 4 cantors, and 1 congregant! |
PREFER
YOUR MUSIC LIVE?
Catch Beged Kefet at one of their 2003/2004
performances:
-
November
5, 2003 at 10:15 pm
-
UAHC National Biennial in Minneapolis, MN. We
are honored to have been invited to perform for
the ultimate gathering of Reform Jews from around
the country at the UAHC’s National Biennial
Convention.
-
November 16, 2003 at 3:00 pm
-
Temple Isaiah in Lexington, MA. Call (781) 862-7160
for details.
-
February 7, 2004 at 8:00 pm
- Temple Israel Center in White Plains, NY. Call
(914) 948-2800.
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MYRIAM'S
DREAM, INC. is a not-for-profit tax deductible organization
founded by a national group of dedicated volunteers
vitally interested in helping older people through
work and programs in Israel and around the world.
We were founded as and continue to be an ALL VOLUNTEER
organization. There are no administrative, facilities,
or staff costs.
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