June 2009 e-Newsletter

At Grandparents for Social Action, we hope that you will think of the social action legacy that your parents left for you, and what you hope your grandchildren will learn from you about making the world a better place.

My father never passed a tzedakah box without putting in some money, and encouraged me to always do the same.

My mother was so kind to everyone that when she died, at least 100 people came up to me at her funeral and told me that my mother was their best friend.

My mother, a travel agent, went around the world and met people from everywhere, from all walks of life and they all loved her. When my mother was dying and could no longer walk, the doctors, nurses, and even other patients came into her room regularly to hear her words of wisdom and to talk to her about their lives.

When my father, even with dementia, no longer remembered people’s names, he kissed the hand of everyone who entered his apartment. He never lost his heart for people.

These stories helped shaped who I am, and the lessons we teach will shape the people are grandchildren become. So what do I want to teach my grandchildren? I want to teach them that kindness is a skill, a talent, and a belief that can change the world. Giving tzedakah, charity, can indeed change the world and we have a responsibility and a privilege to do that for others.

When his sister injured her arm, 7-year-old Alec Robinovitz noticed that the emergency room at the hospital had no books to keep children occupied while they waited to see the doctors. Books always helped Alec from being scared or sad, so he wondered what he could do for the hospital patients. Thus the idea was born to collect books. With the help of his aunt, Alec was able to start a book collection and distribution for children at the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Now, several years later and with the help of his grandmother Ilene Millman, Alec's efforts have expanded through collection boxes in his residential development, in his religious school classroom, and at the school where Millman works. Additionally, Alec contacted publishing companies and now recieves hundreds of brand-new children's books for donation. In just a few short years, Alec has been able to provide thousands of books for child hospital patients in his community.

Keep up the great work, Alec!

Be part of a social action experience that is educational, spiritual and fun. Volunteer Expeditions has joined with Grandparents For Social Action to organize a mission trip to New Orleans for grandparents (and grandchildren 12+ if you'd like...) featuring well-known Jewish Educator Sharon Morton.
Do some good while having fun! Enjoy the culture of New Orleans while engaging in mitzvah projects that will benefit those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Enjoy the community of other like-minded, young, and lively empty-nesters who want to help to repair the world. Included are all arrangements: