Mitzvah Project of Ben Greenspan

Ben is producing a video about Ohrdruf, a sub camp of Buchenwald. He has interviewed Brigadier General Albin Irzyk, who as a Lt. Colonel in Patton's Third Army, was one of the first to discover the camp. Irzyk is 92 and lives in West Palm Beach. Ben has also interviewed Rabbi Murray Kohn, a survivor of Ohrdruf and several other camps. Finally, he has interviewed David Eisenhower, the grandson of Dwight Eisenhower.

The significance of Ohrdruf is twofold. First, it was going to be where Hitler would have re-located when Berlin fell. A communications facility was likely being built there.

Second, it was the first camp discovered by the Allies. On April 12, 1945, eight days after it was discovered, General Eisenhower toured the camp, along with Generals Bradley and Patton. Eisenhower invited the media to film it so that no one would ever question whether such horrors had occurred. The images seen by the American public were the first of any camp.

While thousands were put to death at Ohrdruf, it is technically categorized as a work camp. A photograph of Ohrduf is the first image people see upon entering the main exhibit of the U.S. Holocaust Museum.

Mitzvah Project of Calvin Kaler

In planning for my Bar Mitzvah project I asked myself what are some of the things in my life that I would like to share with others. Some of the things that are near and dear to my heart is my love of music and the respect I have for my grandparents and senior citizens. I routinely play my clarinet for my grandparents and everytime I play, all I see is a sparkle in their eyes and big beaming smile in return. It gives them a great sense of joy and satisfaction to see me play. So, I decided that it would be a mitzvah for me to share the joy of music with other grandparents and senior citizens by grouping together some other clarinet players and performing solo and trio clarinet pieces of music at various assisted living facilities in our community. I hope that this project will be able to inspire others to remember, give back and pay respect to the elders of our community and in our faith, because without them we would be lost.

Mitzvah Project of Ben Weiss

The Ronald McDonald House is a “home away from home”® for families who have to travel hundreds maybe even thousands of miles away from their house and community for medical issues for their children. Each House is operated locally. In South Florida there are two homes, one in Fort Lauderdale and one in Miami for children receiving medical care at any Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach County pediatric hospital. For my Bar Mitzvah project I will be collecting money, gift cards, blankets, can tabs, household items, canned goods, and items for families and children. I will be bringing items down myself and hand delivering them. Thanks for your support in advance.

Mitzvah Project of Jordan Reich

Many people are not aware of the tragic ways that humans can treat animals. The only way to fight animal neglect and abuse is through education. I am committed to working to end animal suffering and so for my Bat Mitzvah project I am bringing a humane educator to speak to our Religious School students on Sunday, March 7. Susan Hargreaves is the founder of Humane Educators Reaching Out.com (HERO) and the Director of Education at the Pegasus Foundation’s Caring Fields Animal Sanctuary. Susan will present an interactive program that will show how children can be heroes to animals, as well as highlight instances where animals have been heroes for humans. Susan’s program teaches empathy, understanding, compassion and respect for all species. Please come and learn how YOU can be an animal hero!

All my life I have been passionate about helping animals. Because of the economy there are more abandoned pets than ever that need a loving family and home. That is why for my Bat Mitzvah project I have chosen to work with an organization called Humane Educators Reaching Out (HERO). I hope you will join me and HERO on Sunday, February 7 from noon-3pm at Flagler Park in Stuart for the Friends Furever Adopt-a-thon. This will be the largest gathering of adoptable dogs and cats that has ever taken place in our area. At this event there will be dogs and cats for adoption from 12 different animal rescue organizations and humane societies. I will be helping to set up for the event and making sure that the animals have enough water to drink throughout the day. There is going to be a pet photo contest and there will be vegan snacks available. For more info please look for fliers in the temple lobby or go to www.caringfields.org or call 561-575-5517. Also as part of my Bat Mitzvah project I will be bringing the founder of HERO to our religious school to give a humane education presentation to our students that teaches compassion, respect and empathy for all species.

Mitzvah Project of Brittany Grogins

I was not sure what I would do for my Mitzvah Project. I then saw the news about the Earthquake in Haiti. Day after day, I saw how horrible things were for them. I really wanted to do something to help the people of Haiti. I was with my friend and we thought of making cookie dough mix (dry) in pretty jars and selling them. I call it “Helping Hands for Haiti”. All of the profits will go to the people of Haiti. I then made these jars of pre-measured ingredients and followed the instructions on the jars (I had to test them out of course!). The cookies are delicious! I brought them to the Purim Carnival and sold a few. They are $10/jar.
I plan to sell them at sports games and at religious school. I am also taking orders by email, rockingrl101@yahoo.com. It has been a few months since the earthquake and I am sure this has become a distant thought to many of you. However, the people of Haiti are still suffering terribly. They have no food, the infrastructure is destroyed, and human beings are dying from illnesses. Please help and purchase a jar of pre-measured ingredients for delicious chocolate chip cookies. You too can be part of Helping Hands for Haiti!

Mitzvah Project of Tyler Coliskey

“Trauma Teddy Bears” is a program which was created by the Jupiter Police Department. Tyler will be collecting and donating new and gently used Teddy Bears to the PBSO. The officers keep some teddy bears in their patrol cars, to give to children in traumatic situations. When children are involved in car accidents, domestic violence incidents, etc., a soft cuddly creature can help calm down a frightened crying child. If you would like to donate a new or gently used teddy bear, there will be a collection box in Temple Beth Am. If you’d like to donate cash for the purchase of new teddy bears, please contact Tyler’s mom (Heidi) at 561-315-5600 or HeidisBunch@yahoo.com.

Mitzvah Project of Jared and Seth White

Hearts and Hope is a non-profit organization devoted to providing children, ages three to seventeen, and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one, a safe place in which to share and experience loving support while moving throught the grieving and healing process. For our B’nai Mitzvah we have decided to have a fund raiser for this organization, because we have gone through the program ourselves after the loss of our mother. We would like the help of the congregation to donate as many teddy bears and money as possible. Hearts and Hope uses teddy bears in its grieving program and we wish to collect as many bears and money as possible to show how we care for their services to people that have lost a loved one.

Mitzvah Project of Alec Schafler

I am very excited about becoming a Bar Mitzvah. I am in the seventh grade and attend Jupiter Middle School. I like to play basketball, football and tennis. I picked the Alzheimer’s Organization and helping people with Alzheimer’s as my Bar Mitzvah project. My grandfather Wilbur was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s more than 12 years ago. He passed away two years ago after suffering with the disease for 10 years. I only remember my grandfather with Alzheimer’s and never got to enjoy him when he was well and could communicate. When my grandfather was sick he went to live in the Mangrove Bay Assisted Living Center for Alzheimer’s patients. It was there that I got interested in helping people with the disease. I went to visit my grandfather all the time and enjoyed helping and interacting with the other Alzheimer’s residents. I especially enjoyed Friday afternoons when I went to visit him for happy hour. We would sing songs for hours with a piano player. I would help the other residents with the song books and help them with the words. It taught me a lot about life and to appreciate my family and friends because you never know what will happen to the ones you love. The experience taught me to be patient and compassionate to those less fortunate and those in need. Volunteering at Mangrove meant so much to the residents, but in reality it was I that was taught many life lessons from them. Unfortunately, they will never know how much they affected my life in many ways. It is a great opportunity to give back to those in need, especially to older people who are often forgotten. I want to collect money from anyone willing to donate to this cause and give it to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. I also want to thank the Cantor and Rabbi for all their hard work in helping me to become a Bar Mitzvah.