Good
Times
Giving meaning and scope
to your celebration.
ven during tough times, there is nothing wrong with having a good time. In fact, it's a good thing. There is much
to celebrate — weddings, bar mitzvahs, babies, anniversaries, birthdays, successes — and we need the diversion
and the closeness and support of family and friends. And businesses need the business.
But it's understandable, and laudable, that our celebrations are tempered by the times. Just as a glass is stomped at weddings
to recall the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, we can make our celebrations even more meaningful and special by adding
some touches that show our commitment to others as we celebrate our own happiness.
Before your celebration, give some thought to what makes you happy to support: Children, the needy, the arts, animals, the
environment, Israel, education, disaster relief, you name it. Then, if you don't already know of one, find an organization or institution
that provides quality services and programs in that area and give them a call to discuss how supporting their work can enhance
your event.
Don Cohen I Special to the Jewish News
Here are some ideas to consider:
SPREAD THE JOY — Before your event, make arrange-
ments to put to good use whatever you have left once the event
is over. Religious institutions, senior and community centers,
schools, group homes, hospitals, shelters and various non-prof-
its can make good use of flowers and centerpieces to brighten
up someone's day or make the centerpieces food baskets or
children's books and donate them.
Leftover food can be put to good use at a homeless shelter
or a facility for battered women and children.
GO GREEN — Of course, when the party is over, you can
recycle what you can't give away. But there is more you can do
to reduce the environmental impact of your event:
• Cut down on paper, and postage costs, by sending e-mail
invites and accept RSVPs the same way.
• Consider setting up a Web site with all the information that
your guests need in a format easy enough that even the
technologically challenged can find their way around.
• Serve finger foods to cut down on paper and silverware or
wash and reuse items instead of pitching them.
• Give your out-of-towners gift bags that they can reuse
instead of ones they will discard.
• Rent plants and trees to give your room natural elegance or
buy some and plant them after the party to have a living,
lasting memory.
BUY LOCAL — Yes, in the global scheme of things we are
all neighbors, but there is nothing wrong, and much right, with
giving priority to local businesses that employ people in your
community.Talk to your party people about buying items grown
or manufactured locally, from Michigan or in the United States.
If local items are more expensive, set your budget accord-
ingly and think hard about whether you really need those
cheap chatchkes from overseas. If you buy abroad, make it for
a reason: supporting Israeli products for example, or helping
community cooperatives in poorer countries.
Invitations supporting Jewish National Fund.
ENCOURAGE DONATIONS AS GIFTS — Starting
a new life together or having a child is an expensive proposi-
C o
celebrate! I
March 2010
tion. Many times, the gifts we receive are not only special, but
also very helpful — and it's nice to recall the gift-givers as we
put things to good use.
But there are times when gifts just aren't needed so provide
an alternative: Ask you guests to make a donation to a charity
particularly important to you. Provide giving options or focus on
one project and be sure to speak with the charity beforehand
to let them know you've done so.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE — Consider making a gift to estab-
lish a fund with a favored charity that your guests can donate
to in your honor. Over time, you can add to that fund in honor
of the special occasions of others. The Jewish National Fund
offers a variety of invitations and cards that can be customized
for events.The cost includes a donation made in honor of those
invited. A quantity of JNF tree or water certificates also can be
personalized as gifts to your guests. Other charities have similar
programs or can work with you to develop one.
PARTY FOR A CAUSE — Supporting a good cause
is reason enough to throw a party! Lea Luger at Yad Ezra, the
kosher food pantry in Berkley, tells of a couple who invited
friends to dinner at their home and asked each guest to donate
to Yad Ezra what they would have spent on a restaurant dinner.
Or focus on a fundraising dinner or event and ask your friends
to attend with you.This way, you can have a party within a party
and leave the planning and details to someone else!
CELEBRATE THROUGH DOING — Throw your party
at a senior center, food bank, group home or some other place
where your guests can help and mingle with the residents. Or
instead of drinking and dancing, bring a group of friends to
spend a few hours volunteering where you can have fun while
doing good.
COLLECT ITEMS — Ask your guests to bring canned
goods, sweaters, shoes, toiletries, books, toys or whatever you
choose and let them know where the items will be donated. ❑