24 | APRIL 22 • 2021 

OUR COMMUNITY

T

his Mother’s Day, there’s 
a meaningful way to 
bring joy to mothers 
and other women alike that 
also gives back to the local 
Jewish community. Via the 
Joy Project, people throughout 
Metro Detroit can send the 
special women in their lives a 
custom-made card that donates 
proceeds to women and families 
in need.
Running through Mother’s 
Day, the seasonally held 
program has taken place each 
year since 2009 except for 
2020 due to the COVID-19 
pandemic. It was launched by 
entrepreneur and philanthropist 
Elanah Nachman Hunger 
in honor of her mother, Joy 
Nachman, as a way to say 
thanks for everything her 
mother had done for her 
throughout the years.
Created in partnership with 
Jewish Family Service (JFS), 
the Joy Project has raised more 
than $350,000 to date. “It’s a 
way to honor special women 
in your life on Mother’s Day 
while also helping to provide 
critical services to Jewish Family 
Service for women and children 
in need,
” said JFS senior 
director of marketing and 
communications Lindsay Leder. 
“It’s a win-win.
”
Through the Joy Project, 
people can choose any number 
of cards they want sent out to 
the women in their lives. Leder 
explains that this isn’t limited 
to only mothers, but can also 

include sisters, 
friends or 
anyone else. 
Cards can then 
be customized 
and are delivered 
to recipients by 
mail.
At a time when 
the COVID-19 
pandemic has 
limited connections, 
Leder believes these 
small but valuable 
actions are more important 
than ever. “There are tons of 
women and children in the area 
that can be helped,
” she says. 
JFS estimates that the project 
assists some 3,000 people in 
need each year.
Money raised by the 
Joy Project is used by the 

organization several ways. 
It provides funding for 
counseling, access to food, 
transportation and other critical 
services. One card, for example, 
can help provide medication to 
a community member in need, 
while two cards will cover the 
costs of a social worker visit to 
assist an elderly individual. 

Though the 
Joy Project 
can be 
supported 
year-
round, the 
program’s 
Mother’s Day campaign is 
at the heart of their movement. 
“It’s a nice way to get a gift 
for your mom,
” Leder says. 
“Rather than getting flowers 
or something that she may not 
need, this is something that 
helps the community and other 
people’s loved ones to get the 
services they need.
”

She says that this year, 
with fewer people shopping 
in-person due to the pandemic, 
sending cards by mail is a safe 
and unique way to show loved 
ones you are thinking of them, 
even if the celebrations can’t 
be had in-person. It will also 
further support JFS, which 
is increasing its services to 

help more 
people in need impacted by the 
COVID-19 crisis.
The Joy Project also partners 
with Tapper’s Diamonds and 
Fine Jewelry, a partner since 
the program’s 2009 launch. 
Through the partnership, 
Tapper’s provides gifts to the 
women served by JFS. 

THOUGHTFUL ‘THANKS’
As a bit of a lost art, Leder 
believes sending cards by mail 
is a classic and thoughtful way 
to say thanks to special women 
in the local Jewish community. 
At the same time, it helps put 
food on the table for others, 
among other essential services 
that have become more critical 
due to COVID-19’s financial 
and medical impact.
“We would love for more 
people to get inspired and to 
send cards to their loved ones,
” 
Leder says. “We’re hoping to 
spread more joy throughout 
this [tough] time.
”
She adds that joy is what is 
needed the most right now. “I 
think that’s what people need, 
especially this year,
” Leder 
continues. “
A little bit of love in 
their mailbox.
” 

To purchase Joy Project cards, go to 
jfsjoyproject.org.

Custom Mother’s Day cards mailed to loved 
ones while helping people in need.
Send a Little Joy

“I THINK THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE 
NEED, ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR
… A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE IN

THEIR MAILBOX.”

— LINDSAY LEDER

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Debbie Feit 
and her 
Aunt Vicki

can be 
supported 
year-
round, the 
program’s 

Mother’s Day campaign is 

at the heart of their movement. 

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

include sisters, 

Cards can then 
be customized 
and are delivered 
to recipients by 

At a time when 

the COVID-19 
pandemic has 
limited connections, 
Leder believes these 
small but valuable 
actions are more important 

Though the 

Joy Project 

