ON N.AIL ANN/ I I

Compiled by Elizabeth Applebaum
AAppleTree Editor

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A Touch Of
Understandin

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Leslie DeDora believes that all
people face some type of chal-
lenge — "something, whether vis-
ible or invisible, whether tempo-
rary or permanent, that makes
things harder for them."
She also is convinced that
learning to recognize one's own
limitations helps him empathize
with others who may be in a
wheelchair or blind or have diffi-
culty walking. With that idea is
mind, DeDora in 1990 began a
program, now called A Touch of
Understanding, in the second-
grade classroom where she
worked as a teacher. It allowed
children to learn about Braille,
maneuver in a wheelchair, or
wear a neck brace — all of
which would give them the
opportunity to learn what it's like
for those dependent on such tools
every day.
Today, DeDora takes A Touch
of Understanding to elementary-
school students throughout Cali-
fornia, and has a created a
video that features disabled chil-
dren telling how they would like
to be treated.
DeDora said her idea for A
Touch of Understanding came
from her own youth, when she
teased a mentally disabled aunt,
making her cry. She didn't mean
to be cruel, DeDora said, she
simply didn't know better.
Though A Touch of Understand-
ing has received rave reviews
from teachers and students, the
nonprofit organization is to date
funded only with small donations
from foundations. To make a
donation, or for more informa-
tion, contact: A Touching of
Understanding, 4120 Douglas
Blvd. #306-208, Granite Bay,
CA 95746.

Helping The Children

More than a decade has passed
since the Chernobyl disaster and the
land still aches. Little grows there,
and that which remains — not just
trees and plants but water, air and
food — continues to be infected with
radioactive material.
Imagine, then, what is must be like
for those families who still reside in
the Chernobyl area, especially the
children who are at high risk for can-
cer and other diseases.
"If the radiation fell on a field
growing food, then the food
was contaminated with radi-
ation. If it fell on fields
where cows were eating
the grass, then these cows
produced milk with radia-
tion in it," explains Jay
Litvin, medical liaison for
Chabad's Children of Cher-
i nobyl, which works to help
bring these youngest victims of
the disaster to Israel.
"Radiation can take a long time
before it causes someone to be sick.
Some children became sick about
four years after Chernobyl. Others
are becoming sick now. And scien-
tists say that people who are
exposed to Chernobyl's radiation
could continue to become sick for the
next 30 or 40 years."
It costs about $15,000 to bring
each child to Israel (about 1,500

Jewish children still live around Cher-
year we must try our hardest to help
nobyl), then give him three months of . more children have a healthy future."
medical care. To help fund such
The money will be used to help
efforts, the local chapter of Children
transport and care for the children at
of Chernobyl will host a benefit on
Kfar Chabad, just outside Tel Aviv. To
Nov. 1 at West Bloomfield High
date, Chabad's Children of Cher-
School. The program will feature
nobyl has brought some 1,700 chil-
Israeli singer Dedi and honor TV
dren to Israel, and it continues to
broadcaster Melinda Soble.
send medical supplies and food to
those still remaining near the site of
the disaster.
Among those already hard at
work locally is Emily Foxen-Craft
of West Bloomfield. A student
at Akiva Hebrew Day
School, Emily has pledged
10 percent of her summer
baby-sitting funds to the
organization. Her mother,
Tansy Craft, has designed
the Children of Cher-
nobyl's first pushkes, which
will be on counters at
Esther's Judaica in West
Bloomfield and at Spitzer's Books
in Southfield.
Also pledging 10 percent of their
summer
earnings are Alta Rose and
Emily Foxen-Craft, Leah Silberberg
Leah Silberberg.
and Alta Rose make their pledge.
Mss: Meer said she hopes to see
"The proceeds of the concert will
Michigan sponsor a plane of 20 chil-
go directly to help the children," said
dren to Israel this year, and she
Phyllis Meer of West Bloomfield, who would like to hear from volunteers
who will match funds the children
is coordinating the event.
raise. For information, contact Mrs.
"Last year we only raised enough
money to help three children. This
Meer at (248) 855-4482.

e Want Youl

As you know, "The AppleTree"
loves nothing more than hearing
the opinions and ideas of Jewish
children throughout metro Detroit.
We like to know everything from
your favorite book to your favorite
holiday. So how can you be
heard? It's this simple:

you a call and include your corn-
Send us your name, age, school,
ments.
address (including zip}, phone
1
Please mail to: Count Me In, The
number and parents' names. Also
AppleTree, 27676 Franklin Road,
please include a clear photograph
Southfield, MI 48034.1f you
of you.
would like your photo returned, be
About once a month, "The Apple-
sure to include a self-addressed,
Tree" poses a question, and when
stamped envelope.
we can use your help we'll give

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7/17
1998

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