Alyssa Valladares
Having someone you love go to the hospital for head surgery is hardly a positive experience, but one Lehigh Valley girl is turning this difficult time in her family’s life into a chance to help others.
12-year-old Alyssa Valladares is taking part in the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Give a Mitzvah, Do a Mitzvah program. She is planning to collect kid-friendly items to replenish the pediatric ward playroom at Lehigh Valley Hospital.
The idea for the project came in November of 2008, when Alyssa’s younger sister, Elana, now 9, was hospitalized.
“She needed to have brain surgery,” explains mom Barbara Valladares. “She was suffering from a condition called Chiari Malformation.”
Chiari Malformation is a condition in which part of the brain is pushed downward through the hole at the base of the skull. The result can include compression of the brain stem, which is the part of the brain that controls involuntary body responses such as the heart beating and breathing. This condition causes disruption in the flow of spinal fluid, and can be life-threatening. Symptoms include dizziness, muscle weakness, headaches and problems with coordination and balance. It can also be very painful.
Little Elana had to undergo head surgery and remain in the hospital for a week. It was during that time that her family learned about the needs of the pediatric playroom at LVH.
“When we went to the playroom to play, so many games were missing pieces, there were dried-up markers, and broken toys,” says Alyssa. “It looked like the room was full of things to do, but when you actually got in there, you found out it wasn’t really all that great.”
Now, more than a year later, Alyssa is ready to put her plan for a better-equipped playroom into action. She is kicking off her Mitzvah project this month and hopes to collect as many items for LVH pediatric playroom by the time her Bat Mitzvah rolls around, on May 22.
“We need arts and crafts supplies,” says LVH child life specialist Vanessa Gramm. “We can really use glue, scissors, crayons, color pencils, markers and little craft kits.”
Additional items that will be collected include DVD’s (G and PG-13 rated), CD’s and hard plastic toys.
Gramm says stuffed animals and dolls are a big no-no because of health concern. All toys and games have to be new or gently used and include all the pieces.
Alyssa says she also wants to put her party centerpieces into good use. Instead of flowers, she plans on using toys and other donated items to decorate the tables. In addition, a big center piece, made out of donated items, will decorate the Bima.
“I am so proud of her,” says mom Barbara of Alyssa. “It’s a really nice way to turn a sad situation into a positive one and to add fun to this kind of experience to both the patients and their siblings.”
Collection boxes are going to be placed at the lobby of the JCC, Congregation Keneseth Israel and Temple Beth El. You can also contact mom Barbara Valladares directly at 610-694-8906 or via email at barbsv@verizon.net.
Spencer Coolidge
Spencer Coolidge, a 13 year old Springhouse Middle School student entering the 8th grade, is putting his love of reading into action through his bar mitzvah project. During the summer months, Spencer volunteered at the Parkland Library. He enjoys sports books and especially The Lightening Thief series by his favorite author, Rick Riordan.
Participating in the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Give a Mitzvah, Do a Mitzvah program, Spencer is asking members of the community to donate gently used books for all ages. Collected books will benefit local needs and will also be given to the Lehigh Valley’s Partnership 2000 community, Yoav, where they will be used in youth centers and bomb shelters.
As part of his participation in this program, Spencer will also make his first adult pledge to the Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs in honor of his bar mitzvah. Collection bins are located at the Jewish Community Center of Allentown and at Temple Beth El.
Spencer believes that reading is very worthwhile and would like to help others experience it. He understands that not everyone has the luxury of going to a bookstore to purchase a brand new book, but hopes that through his drive he can get more books into the hands of those who would enjoy them.
David Zahn
David Zahn’s amazing Give a Mitzvah, Do a Mitzvah project stems directly from his love of cooking and trying out new recipes. David collected delicious recipes from his Temple Beth El Kitah Vav (6th grade) classmates, as well as teachers and Beth El staff (and clergy), compiling the recipes into a bound cookbook. The cookbook features such favorites as Scrumptious Apple Matzo Kugel, Grandma’s Roasted Chicken, Mandelbrot and so much more! This wonderful cookbook can be yours for a suggested donation of $18. 100% of donations will go to Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Mazon works around the United States, and around the globe, to bring critical nourishment to millions of hungry families. In addition to his work for Mazon, David will make a donation to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, representing his first act of tzedakah as an adult member of the Jewish community.
To celebrate the debut of the cookbook and to educate Kitah Vav about Mazon, David planned a lesson for his class. Together, they baked aleph-bet sugar cookies that spelled out their Hebrew names. While the cookies were baking, the class played a trivia game chock full of valuable information about world hunger and Mazon.
Each year, Mazon provides grants and advocacy assistance to more than 300 carefully screened hunger-relief agencies, including emergency food providers, food banks and others. Mazon believes in a dual purpose to provide for those who are hungry today, as well as to address the systematic causes of hunger and poverty. Much like the Give a Mitzvah, Do a Mitzvah program, Mazon seeks to put into practice the twin Jewish ideals of tzedakah (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). For more information about David’s cookbook, please contact 610-821-5500. If you’d like to find out more about Mazon, information is available at www.mazon.org.
Kareem Rabbat
Celebrating a Bar Mitzvah is a big deal. No news here. But it’s really not about the food or the big party, or even the gifts for that matter. It is truly a milestone in a child’s Jewish life. It’s a chance for a child to start doing good for others, as an adult.
Kareem Rabbat is not waiting for his big day on Aug. 14. The 12-year old Mt. Bethel boy is starting his mitzvah project now to benefit a cause that is close to his heart and his heritage.
Kareem is raising money to donate to an Israeli village called Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, which in Hebrew and Arabic means Oasis of Peace. The village, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, was jointly established by Jewish and Palestinian-Arab citizens of Israel, who strive to promote peace, equality and understanding between the two peoples.
Neve Shalom is home to some 60 families, half Palestinian and half Jewish, who live together peacefully. It is the village's mission to demonstrate that Jews and Palestinians can live together as equals.
The residents are not only committed to these ideals within their community; they also reach out to the surrounding communities, involving anyone who cares to participate in lectures, workshops, and classes that promote peace and understanding among Palestinians and Jews.
Kareem’s family incorporates both Jewish and Arab roots. His grandfather, Kareem’s namesake, immigrated to the United States from Syria to escape religious persecution.
Kareem wants to raise awareness about and money for Neve Shalom, as a tribute to his intertwined heritage. He is also putting his love for music to work, as the money raised will go to purchase musical instruments for the village primary school. Kareem has found a unique way to achieve his ambitious mitzvah project; with his “cookies in a jar.”
The glass jars will be filled with the dried ingredients used to make cookies. The recipes will be posted on the jars, as well as a brief summary about Neve Shalom and Kareem. Each jar will sell for $10 and will be available for purchase at Bnai Abraham Synagogue and Temple Covenant of Peace in Easton. You can also purchase these special jars by emailing mom Loren Rabbat at lorenrabbat@yahoo.com.
“I really want to help the people of Oasis of Peace,” says Kareem. “It will be great if I can give their children new musical instruments.”
If you interested in learning more about this story or about JFLV Give a Mitzvah Do a Mitzvah program, please contact Keren Saltz, JFLV Development Associate at 610-821-5500, ex. 333.
Adrian Reitars
Adrian Reitars may not talk to the animals, but he IS talking to you. In preparation for his Bar Mitzvah, he created a mitzvah project that will help him help the Lehigh Valley Zoo -- with your help.
Adrian put together a list with the Zoo of their needs. From now until October 1, he will accept donations of these items or cash donations for his Zoo project.
Just call him (610-703-0240) and he will pick them up and deliver them to the Zoo.
In addition to his mitzvah project, Adrian will make his first adult gift of tzedakah to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs.
For help developing your mitzvah project, contact Judy Diamondstein, Director of Development, at judy@jflv.org or call her at the Federation office, 610-821-5500.
Tools (screw drivers, socket Hav-a-hart Traps
sets, hammers, etc.) Hose nozzles
Towels (any size) Hoses (heavy duty)
½ inch diameter chain Indoor tropical plants
½ inch diameter rope Kong toys
24” plastic leaf rakes Ladders - all sizes
2x4’s Large sponges
5 gallon buckets (new) Laundry detergent
44 gallon Rubbermaid buckets Liquid bleach
Batteries Metal tape measures
Bird/baby toys - no fabric Monetary donations always
Boomer Balls (can be ordered appreciated
at pet shop or online) Old or new large coolers
Brush mower (non-Styrofoam)
Bungie cords Old or new pet taxis
Cutting boards (i.e. pet carriers)
Cuttle bones Outdoor plants or trees
Digital camera Paring knives
Dish detergent Cordless Power tools (drills,
Dog toys - no rawhide or fabric circular saws, etc.)
Duct tape Rechargeable batteries for
Enrichment items: spices, scents, power tools/charger
flavorings, extracts, perfume, Rubbermaid storage bins
dried fruit Safety glasses
Extended feather dusters Sheets (any size)
Flashlights Clean Soil
Gift cards to Home Depot, Lowe’s Sprinklers
or Wal Mart
Golf cart (new or used in good
condition)
Hand gardening tools (pruners,
tree saws)
Halle Nelson
For her upcoming Bat Mitzvah, Give a Mitzvah, Do a Mitzvah participant Halle Nelson has chosen to have double-duty centerpieces. Teddy bears will not only make for cute and cuddly centerpieces at her Bat Mitzvah celebration, but will be donated after the event. Halle plans to visit critically ill children in local hospitals. She will make a personal connection with these children by giving them a teddy bear and spending one-on-one time with them. Halle’s bears are sure to bring smiles and hugs to children living in the hospital. “Green” centerpieces are just another way put the mitzvah in your Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Interested in following in Halle’s footsteps? You can “rent” centerpieces from the Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley that feature items stocked in the JFS Kosher food pantry; use potted plants that guests can take home; or create centerpieces from non-perishables to donate to the JFS Kosher food pantry. For help developing your mitzvah project, contact the JFLV office at 610-821-5500.
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