Mitzvah Heroes dinner – watching the sparks rise



The Rabbanit Kapach with Steve



As my friends know, despite my level of religious observance, I have a bit of a rational streak running through me, that tends to be, well, understanding that some people find comfort and enlightenment through mysticism; it doesn’t usually work for me.  However tonight on

Rachel Imeinu Street

, I saw the holy sparks rising.

We held our annual Mitzvah heroes dinner at the new Village Green in the German colony (I missed the quiche but the lasagna and cheese cake were terrific).  Watching Kalman Samuels discuss children with the Rabbanit Kapach, connecting Ruth Schlossman and Karyn London, both who work with survivors of terror attacks, who were able to discuss plans and maybe even refer each other to volunteers.  It was just amazing. 

Yael Rosen is beginning a project to reach out to Righteous Among the Nations who helped Ethiopian Jews leave Ethiopia, and she met, for the first time, Sarah Eynor, who 20 years ago began a scholarship fund for helping Ethiopians students in Israel.  There was so much positive energy, and so much good came out of the room, connections between Moshe Kott, who helps nearly 300 families in his Ramot neighborhood meet their weekly nutritional needs and Chana Greenwald, who works with soldiers in rehab facilities, and now Avshalom Beni wants to help Chana’s soldiers – all because we bring them together in time and space.  This is when I really feel we are doing holy work.



Yael Rosen of Atzum with Sarah Eynor

 So now we have successfully distributed $16,000 of our donors tzedakah in just one week in Israel.  Not a bad hobby.  The next few days are devoted to some meetings with Mitzvah heroes and some work I am doing to prepare for the most amazing 60th Anniversary JEA conference to be held in February here in Jerusalem.  I'll likely report in.  After all, there may be some good meals or shopping along the way.