I To Life ON TH COVER Hungry from page 31 thing that will be 'the thing to do' — some- thing easy and powerful," Rabbi Yedwab said. In the meantime, there are many ways Mazon is included in synagogue Rabbi Roman life. At Temple Israel and Shaarey Zedek, every b'nai mitz- vah receives a Mazon brochure and learns about the organiza- tion from the synagogue's rabbis. Area rabbis have been includ- ing Mazon in their Shabbat and holiday sermons, and many are promoting Mazon's annual Passover appeal. Last month, the social action committees of Ann Arbor's Beth Israel Congregation and Temple Beth Emeth co-sponsored a Mazon weekend that included a presentation by Schockman. "Supporting Mazon, Yad Ezra, Gleaners and Forgotten Harvest is a large part of our congrega- tion's mission," Rabbi Berkun said. "Throughout the year, we remind our members that they can make a difference in the lives of those who are hungry. By contributing to Mazon during certain Jewish holidays and in connection to special programs and events, our community is constantly fighting to end world hunger?' As Passover nears, Temple Israel sent 1,800 e-mails to members asking them to donate some of the cost of their seders Emily Schottenfels 32 April 6 • 2006 to Mazon. A portion of the funds collected for Shaarey Zedek's syna- gogue seder also will be donated to Mazon. Several area syna- gogues make a contri- bution to Mazon when they host events. At Temple Kol Ami, long- time Mazon supporter Rabbi Norman Roman said, "It is our syna- gogue policy to include a Mazon donation at every function involving food?' And that's what Emily Schottenfels is planning to do at her bat mitzvah celebration at Kol Ami this Shabbat. The West Bloomfield 13-year-old is no stranger to hunger-related social action, having volunteered many times at area soup kitchens and food banks with her parents, Jody and Lee, and siblings Peter, 19, and Abby, 15. "Part of the theme of her April 8 bat mitzvah is hun- ger," said Emily's dad, Lee, a Kol Ami past president and current executive board member. "Her dvar Torah will include hunger awareness and, in addition to a dona- tion of a percentage of the cost of the meal at her party, Emily will also give a portion of her cash gifts to Mazon." In The Classroom While local rabbis are at work getting synagogue youth involved in Mazon, Steve Freedman is bringing it to the classroom. Last month, a daylong program on local, Israeli and world hunger was held for Hillel's eighth-grade students. Initiated by Joel Jacob, whose daughter is in the class, Freedman, Jacob and Luger of Yad Ezra led the program that included learning and an intro- duction to the concept of advo- cacy to effect change. "Every tangible way that we iN addressed the Shaarey Zedek would otherwise be destroyed," board of directors, describing Freedman said. Mazon and its benefits, and Mazon offers its own "Hunger encouraging them to establish a No More" curriculum to facilitate partnership. discussions among adults and "At the party, guests will be youth around hunger and pov- enjoying themselves and having erty. good food:' he told them. "No In Jacob's home, his 13-year- old daughter, Merrick, is a strong guests will leave hungry, but I know there are people in Detroit, advocate of alleviating hunger. in America, in "She went to Israel, all over the Washington and . world who do not was a very effective have enough to advocate speak- eat. All we have to ing to members do to be a partner of Congress',' said synagogue is agree Jacob, who is to this resolu- Mazon's incoming tion and commit national vice chair- to supporting man. IvIazon." Some of our For Adam's fam- synagogue youth ily, including dad groups were ahead Dr. Bruce Fisher, of the game in Adam Fisher that meant, in their longtime part, making a 3- involvement percent donation in honor of his with Mazon. bar mitzvah. "NFTY (North American According to Rabbi Berkun, Federation of Temple Youth) because of Adam, the synagogue includes a mandatory Mazon now is an official Mazon partner. donation in the cost of all of "Establishing the partnership their events:' Rabbi Roman between Mazon and Shaarey said of a 20-year-old resolu- Zedek had a much greater impact tion. "They also do some educational programming for on how much help he would be giving',' said Adam's mom. teens?' Rabbi Yedwab hopes the future holds a place where donations Connections More than a dozen local syna- and support will come naturally. "We want our work to reach goguei of various denomina- a goal where a few years from tions have signed as "part- now it will be hard to find some- ners" with Mazon, a position one who doesn't know about that encourages members to OCC Mazon." make donations and to fund- Orchard Ridge raise for the agency. Campus Already a Yad Ezra volun- teer, Adam.Fisher of Franklin Sign-up online: was inspired by a video on JNIcarathon.com Mazon shown to him by To make an online Rabbi Berkun as part of the donation to MAZON: preparation for his September A Jewish Response to 2005 bar mitzvah. Hunger, access the Web After viewing the tape, site at: mazon.org or participating in the Mazon 3-per- "Adam went on the [Mazon] Web mail a check to Mazon, site and learned Shaarey Zedek cent solution. 1990 S. Bundy Drive, was not a partner:' said his mom, "In a few weeks, when our Suite 260, Los Angeles, Dr. Laurie Fisher. eighth-graders are in Israel, they CA 90025. For informa- And so, a month before his will be volunteering in a soup tion, call (310) 442-0020 bar mitzvah, Adam, a 13-year- kitchen and working with the or e-mail at: old eighth-grader at Berkshire organization Table to Table to mazonmail@mazon.org . Middle School in Beverly Hills, harvest produce from fields that can offer children opportuni- ties to perform a mitzvah makes them a partner with God in tik- kun °lain (repairing the world)," Freedman said. "Donating a portion of their gifts, writing letter's to politicians or lighting candles at their party to bring this issue to the attention of all of their guests are all valuable and meaningful ways to involve young teens?' Hillel's curriculum will con- tinue to include education on hunger issues. "Food is a funda- mental necessity and something that all children understand," Freedman said. "We are teaching our students that they can make a difference?' Middle school students will learn about becoming involved in government, and student and parents will be advised about . May 7, 2006 ❑ .