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