Special Report
HELPING OTHERS
Mitzvah Day Magic
A teen and her family share holiday cheer with Alzheimer's patients.
Gabriella Ring
Teen2Teen Staff Writer
A
Verna and Gabriella Ring, 15, of Oak Park play "Chrismakuh" bingo.
Ruthe Levy of Waterford lights the menorah with Larry Terebello, whose wife is a resident.
s the old joke goes, aside from movies and Chinese restau-
rants, there's not a lot for Jews to do on Christmas Day. But
my family jumped at the chance to perform tikkun olam
(repair of the world) by participating in the annual Mitzvah Day, where
Jewish volunteers fill the void for Christian workers wanting to spend
the holiday at home with their family.
Sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council and the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Mitzvah Day drew more
than 800 volunteers to various soup kitchens, senior centers, children's
centers and Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan.
In typical Mitzvah Day fashion, all volunteers reported first to the
Max M. Fisher Federation Building in Bloomfield Township. There, we
were treated to a complimentary breakfast and briefed by our team
leaders. Ruthe Levy of Waterford was my family's team leader for
Arden Courts Alzheimer's Assisted Living Home in Bingham Farms.
She had been the executive director there a few years ago and would
prove to be on a personal level with many of the staff and residents.
I knew that as Alzheimer's patients, residents have trouble with
their memory. But the day was to be spent in a positive light bringing
cheer to others and providing fresh, comforting faces to the residents.
Walking into the facility, I felt humbled already.
We were directed into a medium-sized room with a Christmas
tree in one corner, fish tank in another, piano in another and chairs
in another. The room had a bulletin board with "Happy Chanukah"
plastered on it, along with images of a dreidel and menorah. The ceil-
ing was decorated with green pine leaves and hanging gold stars. The
decorations were both Chanukah- and Christmas-oriented, a recurring
theme throughout the day.
I sat myself down at a table next to a woman named Verna, who
was dressed in a festive red sweater with white trees. She and I talked
plenty during the course of the afternoon (my mother said I talked too
much). Verna often laughed at what I had to say.
The highlight activity on our agenda was to play "Chrismakuh"
bingo, a combination of Christmas and Chanukah objects decorated
on a bingo card. To win, players needed to cover their full card of 12
squares. Prizes included quilts, beaded necklaces and chocolate. Verna
won a purple beaded necklace.
Verna often leaned over and asked for me to help her. After two
rounds, it was on to our second activity of describing the holiday of
Chanukah to the Christian seniors. A prepared packet asked questions
like "What is Chanukah?" and "What is a latke?" Levy assisted Larry
Terebello, husband of a resident, in lighting the menorah, thus per-
forming one of the most important traditions of the holiday.
Next, we sang songs for both Chanukah and Christmas. Levy
brought in a variety of Chanukah music that played on speakers across
the room.
Seniors were escorted in and out during our time there, but the warm
spirit stayed constant. I was glad to be able to spend a holiday I do not
celebrate with those that do, making a day that's not a special day for me
become just that as I was able to warm the hearts of others. E
Gabriella Ring, 15, is a sophomore at Berkley High School. She is the daughter
of Anna and Elliott Ring.
A8 January 1 • 2009