Why I Chose ALEH for my Bar Mitzvah Project

Jun 20, 07

I would like to discuss a topic with you today that is of great importance to me.  I think that one of the most important things a person can do is Tzedakah; it is also one of our most important Jewish values.  The word Tzedakah derives from the Hebrew word Tzedakah, meaning "justice".  In the Talmud it says. "Tzedakah is equal to all the other commandments combined".  Helping others is simply the right thing to do.

I have decided that I wanted to have a portion of my Bar Mitzvah money donated to the Aleh Foundation.  Many of you made contributions to this charity in my honor instead of giving me a Bar Mitzvah present.  I am very appreciative that you did this.  For those who don't know, the Aleh Foundation supports more than 500 children at three facilities in Israel with physical disabilities that need care they can't get in their homes.  They are currently building a fourth facility which, when completed, will be home to an additional 200 children as well as providing temporary living arrangements for hundreds of children who need therapies.  I am sharing with the Aleh Foundation because I happen to be one of the lucky people in the world who doesn't suffer from these physical impairments that would not let me walk or talk.

The reason I chose the Aleh Foundation goes back to a mitzvah project as part of a Hebrew school project I was introduced to this charity. My Mom and I watched a video about the work that the Aleh Foundation does. It brought tears to my eyes when we saw these young children.  I was able to raise $67.00 in the fourth grade.  Those of you who have contributed in honor of my Bar Mitzvah have given many thousands of dollars.  I am getting better at fundraising now that I am older.  When you give something to someone you feel that you did something good.

I think that this is really what my Bar Mitzvah is all about.

I sent out a card just like this one to all my guests with the invitation. You can copy mine or write something similar and have your printer print them and stuff them right into the invitation envelope.