Nutritionally
Speaking

MIKEY STEBBINS
and YONI KATZ

}(ti and Mikey
holding the donation
moneyfo- r Ktd Ezra.

City: Southfield
Kudos: Birthday Mitzvah

When Mikey and Yonis dads, Gil Stebbins
and Sidney Katz, suggested the boys ask
guests coming to their joint birthday party
to bring a $5 donation for Yad Ezra
instead of a gift, the boys — 6-year-old
kindergarteners at Yeshivat Akiva in
Southfield — learned firsthand about the
mitzvah of giving tzedakah (righteous gifts
of charity). A couple of weeks after the
Dec. 5 party, the boys presented their $450
donation to Yad Ezra, the Berkley-based
kosher food bank.

Gil, How did the plan come about?
"We dreaded bringing home dozens
of presents — mainly toys that within
days will be all over the house, pieces
missing and broken, creating a huge
mess. Then we thought we'd teach the
mitzvah of tzedakah to our kids. Also
at the age of 6, it is customary [at
Akiva] to invite your whole class to
your birthday party. This means par-
ents will have to buy 25-30 presents
throughout the year, which could get
very costly."

How did you discuss the concept of
"no presents" with the boys?
"We explained that there are many
people who can't afford food let alone
gifts, and a birthday is a nice time to
collect money for them instead of get-

I T

ting toys the kids don't need."

Mikey, how did you react to this
unusual suggestion?
"I was a little sad at first, but when
my parents [Chani and Gil] told me
where the money was going to, I
thought it was a great idea. I was
happy, plus I knew people like my
bubbe [grandma] and saba and savta
[grandpa and grandma] couldn't let
my birthday go without giving me
presents, so I knew I was also getting
toys and would still be able to help
others."

Gil, who made the decision to take
the donations to Yad Ezra?
"Yoni's mom, Shoshana. The kids
know Yad Ezra because they have col-
lection boxes in the school for food,
and both Mikey and Yoni helped
deliver food to people in the past."

Mikey, what do you think about

' ) TYG KE

the invitation you just received from
a boy in your class who also asked
classmates to bring a $5 donation to
Yad Ezra to his party instead of a gift?
"I'm happy that other people are
helping others who don't have money,
and my parents are happy that the
idea is catching on."

Gil, how do you think this project
affected the boys?
"A week after the party, they'd never
remember the presents, but we think
they'll always remember the idea of
giving to the needy." El

— Shelli Liebman Dorfman,
staff writer

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ues-
tion:
Dear
Bar
e-
cently, my
very athletic
son of 14 was
diagnosed
with diabetes. It's been tough
for him with all the changes that
he has been told to make. Can he
still have some of the snacks he
likes to eat? Thanks, A Con-
cerned Morn.

rislever: Dear Concerned
Mom, Your son's diet is
the most consequential
component of his health. By
making better food choices, your
son can strengthen his body and
be more immune to disease.
Imposing rules on a 14 year old is
difficult, but necessary, to
keep
glucose levels within
0
normal range. Explain to
him that your goal is to
prevent long term health
problems and to con-
trol blood sugar issues.
This will allow him to
continue to be athletic
and has other positive
// health benefits. Seek
nutritional help.

)

Intake of convenience
foods should be limited.
His body just won't run well on
them. Read labels and look for
snack servings that contain:
• 15 or less grams of carbs;
• 2 or less grams of fat;
• Sugar listed after 3rd
ingredient;
• 4 or less grams of sugar;
• 3 or more grams of fiber; and
• Low sodium.

— Barbara Beznos,
Registered Dietitian

t.,en d Your Ouestions To

Barbara Beznos At

Integrated. Nutrition, LLC,
32401 Northwestern Hwy.
Farmington Hills. MI 48334

Phone:

(248) 538 8050

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