Mitzvah Day 2019

Mission Accomplished… beCAUSE we can!!

Mitzvah Day  is a hands-on day of social action where our Shaaray family works together to support charities and build stronger communities. The day is founded on the Jewish values of:

• tikkunolam (repairing the world)
• tzedek (righteousness)
• gemilutchassadim (acts of loving-kindness).

Benefits hundreds of people from our Westchester community. From the donation bags that were filled with necessities, to the organization coordinators, volunteers and participants, our congregation’s generosity, commitment and spirit were beautifully evident.

Thank you to our fabulous congregation for your participation, volunteering, donations and support!!!!   This day belongs to you!!

Summary of Accomplishments:

Adopt-a-Dog– felt toys braided for shelter animals

A-Home – decorated and donated beautiful front door mats and doorknob hangers

A New Chance Animal Rescue – learned the adoption process and made fostering gift bags

Community Center of NW– decorated and stuffed Christmas stockings

Dorot– floral centerpieces constructed for meal deliveries to Westchester’s seniors

Emergency Shelter Partnership– baske sale to support Shaaray’s initiative to house and feed Westchester’s homeless.

Friends of Karen– put together Hanukkah bags and cards for children who are experiencing challenging times.

Girls Inc. – embraced this new partnership and had meaning conversation while making lava lamps

Holocaust Remembrance Committee– wrote thank you notes to a Holocaust survivor who will be visiting Shaaray – parents were introduced to age appropriate Holocaust books.

Israel Guide Dog Center –Zaro pie sales to support raising guide & companion dogs

Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center @NWH– made chocolate goodie bags for patients and caregivers at the hospital

Midnight Run– Made “sew-less” blankets to be distributed to NYC’s homeless at the next Shaaray run

Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry–collected pasta, cereal & cans of tomato sauce to fill the food pantry shelves

My Sisters’ Place– Sisterhood sponsored booth – received donations to build toiletry bags for women in need of a safe environment

Pleasantville Cottage School- teen volunteers engaged in a craft project and lunch with Edenwald students

ShulStitchers–   knitted and crocheted lap blankets, scarves and hats

Hand Painted Remembrance Stones– painted stones for mourners who will visit Westchester Hills Cemetery

Thanksgiving Dinner Program– launched program to prepare and cook over 3000 meals to Westchester residents

A special thank you to our organization coordinators:

Adopt a Dog- Samara Fine / Allison Shaw/ Ilene Amiel

A-Home – Jim Evans/Eric Williamson/Sammi Leroy /Alli Leroy /Avery Schwartz/Amanda Silverman

A New Chance Animal Rescue – Cathy Hildenbrand / Candy Higgins

Community Center of NW– Dena and Barry Lempert

Dorot– Cathy Doppelt / Lauren Weisfelner

Emergency Shelter Partnership-Enid Linden / Rebecca Roban

Friends of Karen  – Denise Treadwell/ Beth Friedman / Leslie Todtfeld

Girl’s Inc. – Michelle Nicholas / Monette Hamilton

Holocaust Remembrance Committee– Lori Laub

Israel Guide Dog Center-Stu Zaro/Cory Karpf /Allyson DeLorenzo Reuben

/Beth Nevins

Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center @ NW Hospital – Jill Gottlieb

Midnight Run  – Sharon Reiner

Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry– Joyce Greenhaus / Susan Weill

My Sister’s Place  – Jill Seraita

Pleasantville Cottage School– Bonnie Lowenstein / Jessica Herrmann

Hand Painted Remembrance Stones-Sandie Pagano / Meredith Byrne

Shaaray Religious School-Liz Marlowe / Lara Monasch

Shaaray Staff –  Jill Berkowitz, Cheryl Rina, Eve Spence, Maritza, Nancy, Ralph

ShulStitchers  – Karen Newman

Thanksgiving Dinner Program  – Richard Leroy / Gary Cohn

ToaSTY Board

Welcome – Harriett Zeller, Karen Spiegel

Floaters – Jill Overland, Cara Diamond, Lisa Schwartz

Thank you,

Wendi Silverman and Stacey Simensky

Mitzvah Day Mission: To engage, educate and inspire congregants to participate in social action through exposure to various charitable organizations and to reduce hardship and poverty, help our environment and to bring a little joy -hands on- to our community.