Our last USY group of the summer, quite a few kids from Seaboard. We went to learn from Linda Mosek at Click in Hod Hasharon. Linda, most innovative of Mitzvah heroes, runs several senior centers, workshops and programs (including groups of Seniors who have hiked part of the Israel Trail, Shoah survivors and many others) providing them with community, meaningful work creating handicrafts and art kits. Click's Savi project creates art kits sold to schools and gift shops (I have their Rosh Hashanah catalog electronically, if you want to order things, contact me separately). 45 USYers worked with 15 elder craftspeople to create penguins, pillows and other things that will later be donated to kids in need. We had a great morning with a flautist playing while we worked, and enjoyed a home-baked snack as well. Even Aviva, the deputy mayor of Hod HaSharon came to greet us and thank us for coming.
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| Linda Mosek (standing) |
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| USYers working wearing visors made at Click |
I'm very attracted to the idea of social entrepreneurship, and Linda had created a great model to help seniors stay busy, cared for and which also helps them supplement their pensions. The one thing they (and everyone else here seems to need) are more donors, particularly corporate sponsors to cover large expenses.
After a mediocre hostel lunch (pizza, probably frozen, and cold corn schnitzels) Dov Ber Cohen again came to inform and entertain - he is outstanding. I don't know if the group was worn out or just didn't connect with us, but we had the least exciting wrap up of the 6 groups we met with this summer.
After the group I collected all the in-kind donations USYers made so far; school supplies, clothing and shoes left behind and put them in the car. Danny and I went up to Machane Yehuda so I could get a few things for people and to get my elusive first 1/2 schwarma. It was yummy. In the evening it was write, write write - 2 long blog entries.
Friday July 27
It was a quiet Friday morning to start (no construction on the street outside my window) but we started the day with a few mitzvot. All of the donated clothes and school supplies went to Harel Moyal, as well as some Mitzvah Heroes Fund tzedakah, some USYer tzedakah and a picture one of Michelle's campers made of Harel doing Mitzvah work while fixing someone's car. I now have a surplus of brachot before shabbat. I ran a few errands including buying a challah, and delivered another donation to someone in immediate need, and so I feel like I will start my shabbat with a sense, like the guy with the starfish on the beach, not of changing the world but of "having helped that one".
Sunday is Tisha B'Av - I'm guessing a lot of businesses will be closed and there won't be a lot to do around town. I'm getting together with the "girls" again Sunday night after the fast, and then I have Monday and Tuesday to finish my goodbyes, ruggalach shopping and packing, Tuesday night I'll go the the Israel Museum wine festival, and at 2:45 am I'll leave for the airport. I've done a lot, and there is a lot I didn't do. Hopefully my next chance will come soon. Shabbat shalom.
Great trip! Thanks for sharing! If the Temple was destroyed because of "sinat chinam" you and USY are trying to rebuild it through "gemilut chesed". Shabbat shalom.
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