Matthew and Emily Goldstein of Woodmere, NY, are preparing for their B’nai Mitzvah which will take place in December. Their inspirational Mitzvah Project, which benefits the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), brought them half-way around the world to Israel. Here’s an overview of their Project, “Dear Soldier,” in this brother/sister team’s own words:
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
M & E: To us doing a Mitzvah Project is caring about more than ourselves and helping and supporting others who need it. Whether it is contributing to our community or even the entire world, it is important to have a goal to make things better for somebody else.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
M & E: We asked all of our friends and family to write a letter, paragraph, or even a few words that they would want to say to an Israeli soldier. We then took all of their letters and made them into books that we distributed to Israeli soldiers throughout Israel. Our Mitzvah Project only requires a donation of time and a little bit of effort. We gave out and e-mailed letters detailing what to do and how to contribute to our project.
The soldiers were all touched by what Matthew and Emily did
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
M & E: We decided to create this project because we were going to Israel for the first time, and since it is our B’nai Mitzvah in December, we felt it fitting to let all of the Israeli soldiers know that we in America are thinking of them.
MM: Is there an end date to your Project? How can people get involved?
M & E: No. We want our project to be able to be continued for as long as people keep writing, and even after that. We want this to be the never-ending Mitzvah. If anybody wants to write a letter, or even draw a picture for the soldiers, you can send it to ideas4me@aol.com or 99 Willow Road, Woodmere, NY 11598.
Thank you, Matthew and Emily! You are really making a difference!
