So much hype, so much preparation – learning the Haftarah, planning the celebration. But what if you want to make your celebration more mitzvah than bar? Yes, it is a celebration of your child, but the day also commemorates your “son (or daughter) of the commandment” becoming a responsible member of the Jewish community. What a great opportunity to jump right into one new responsibility, tikkun olam, or “repairing the world” — time to take on humanity’s shared responsibility to heal, repair and transform the world.
Here are some ways that Westchester families can create a memorable occasion while giving back to the community.
Goodies That Give
You may have seen Greyston Bakery mentioned on a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream. Through open hiring, Greyston creates jobs and provides programs for impoverished individuals and their families to become self-sufficient. Founded more than 30 years ago as a way to give the hard-to-employ a new chance at life, Greyston became New York State’s first B (benefit) Corporation in 2012, meaning they not only make goodies, but also do good. The bakery can provide their delicious brownies or chocolate chip cookies for your party favors, sending your guests home with a tasty memento of your charitable intention.
Heads Up
Another way to give back is by ordering kippot from a business that supports fair labor or practices tithing. Kippah King donates 10 percent of its profits to Israeli charities, including the Jewish National Fund and Yad Eliezer. Yad Eliezer’s mission is to reduce the poverty level in Israeli society by providing very low-income families with programs that provide them with crucial short-term relief, as well as long-term solutions that will ultimately help them to achieve financial stability — talk about healing the world! Kippah King also manufactures eco suede kippot, which are made out of 100 percent recycled materials, for those interested in protecting the environment as well.
The Homeland
Helping the worldwide Jewish community often means supporting the Jewish homeland. Israeliproducts.com promotes Israeli businesses, at a time when government regulations and shipping costs make foreign trade less attractive to many Americans. In addition to many Israeli-made foods, which could be served at a celebration, they sell beautiful silk kippot and donate all profits to charity. But the real benefit is the highest form of charity, which is to support the recipient — Israeli business people — by entering into a partnership so that the recipient can become self-sufficient.
Be Creative
Try incorporating your charitable donation into the decorating theme of the party. For example, centerpieces could be arrangements of books, CDs, stuffed animals, sports equipment, or winter clothing to be distributed to a worthy organization. For the price of a floral centerpiece, one could purchase an electric guitar or a bunch of board games, to be donated to a local children’s home after the party. Don’t forget to confirm a need for the items you are considering using in your centerpieces before you make them.
Feed the Hungry
Nancy Lions, of the Food Bank for Westchester, says, “Food collections and centerpieces are very welcome,” and notes that most donors have volunteered their time before the event, giving them a greater understanding of the organization’s mission and making their mitzvah more personal. Families can check online for a list of most needed items and either wrap them up in a basket with cellophane or ask guests to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Food Bank or a local food pantry.
Other Ideas
• While food pantries and shelters welcome donations of non-perishable food, clothing and toiletries, Emily Gallagher, Coordinator for Volunteers and Community Relations at Grace Church Community Center (GCCC), wants kids to get a “mitzvah experience” rather than just a buying experience. One prospective bar mitzvah, a technology enthusiast, is working on a video for GCCC to promote volunteerism. His video will debut at his bar mitzvah party and air on YouTube and Twitter, to spread the message, solicit donations and recruit new volunteers.
• Thinking about a trendy NYC location for your gala? Common Ground, an organization with a mission to end homelessness in New York, rents out its beautiful event spaces, including the 4,800 square foot Prince George Ballroom, located in a landmark building in Manhattan’s Madison Square North Historic District. All proceeds from the rental support the expansion of Common Ground’s housing development work.
Elisa Bremner, RD, is a practical nutritionist and heartily approves of brownies and cookies — once in a while — for a good cause.
Get in on the Giving
Greyston Bakery
104 Alexander St., Yonkers, N.Y.
375-1510 | greyston.com
[email protected]
Community Center of Northern Westchester, Katonah, N.Y.
communitycenternw.org
Food Bank for Westchester
200 Clearbrook Rd. Elmsford, N.Y.
923-1100 | foodbankforwestchester.org
Kippah King
kippahking.com
Israeli Products
israeliproducts.com
Grace Church Community Center
35 Orchard St., White Plains, N.Y.
949-3098 | gracecommunitycenter.org
Common Ground
212-471-0870 | commonground.org
[email protected]
Yad Eliezer
Breaking the cycle of poverty in Israel
yadeliezer.org
