Samuel M. Attias of Shaker Heights, Ohio, had his Bar Mitzvah back in April. He knew he wanted to do a Mitzvah Project that incorporated three things that are important to him: kids, Israel and sports.
The Attias’ contacted Schneider Children’s Medical Center, and together as a team, they brainstormed to create a personalized project.
Here’s the scoop on Sam’s Mitzvah Project in his own words:
MM: Tell us about your Mitzvah Project.
SA: I asked my guests to consider making a donation to the hospital instead of giving me a gift. I was able to give the hospital over $5,500. With that money the hospital purchased exercise equipment. After my Bar Mitzvah, Dr. Stein, a doctor from Schneider’s was visiting his in-laws in Cleveland and I got to meet him. He explained to me that kids who get exercise are given less morphine during their chemo treatment. Also, the kids who get exercise while in the hospital are more able to quickly return to a normal life after they are released from the hospital. I also learned that the bicycles that were purchased with my donation were customized to fit a child’s bed! I thought that was very cool.
MM: Tell us about the hospital that benefited from your Project.
SA: Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel is the only comprehensive, highly specialized care hospital of its kind in Israel and treats kids from all over the Middle East. The hospital dedicates itself exclusively to the well-being of all children from newborns to 18 years olds. There are 250 beds at the hospital and 107 of them are used in the Intensive Care, Neonatology and Burn units. Their Website is www.mdinyc.org.
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
SA: I was looking for a project that combined three of the things that are important to me and my family: kids, Israel and sports. At first I wanted to collect soccer uniforms and send them to Israel but it turned out that the kids in Israel did not need them so badly. My mom found the hospital for me.
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar Mitzvah?
SA: For my Bar Mitzvah I only wanted a couple of gifts, like an iPod and new hockey pads. That is how I came up with the “suggested gift” idea to Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Israel. I have been raised in a family and community where it is normal to have a tzedakkah project. The question was not whether to have a project; it was more like finding the right one.
Sam doing what he loves…hockey!
MM: How did you let people know about your Project?
SA: To spread the word, I talked about it with everybody and the local newspaper eventually wrote an article about it. I also included an additional card with my invitation. Here’s what I wrote:
As a suggested gift, please consider helping me raise money for the Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel in Petach Tikvah. The money we raise will go toward soft sporting equipment, such as door hoops for basketballs and a customized exercise bicycle that will be used to help children during physical therapy.
Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel is the only comprehensive, highly specialized care hospital of its kind in Israel and treats kids from all over the Middle East. The hospital dedicates itself exclusively to the well-being of all children from newborns to 18 year olds. There are 250 beds at the hospital and 107 of them are used in the Intensive Care, Neonatology and Burn units.
Please make a donation by visiting the Medical Development for Israel website at: www.mdinyc.org or, you could send a donation to: Medical Development for Israel, 295 Madison Ave #1705, NY, NY 10017 212-759-3370
With your help, kids can heal and have some fun too. Thanks in advance, Samuel
MM: How long can people donate to this charity?
SA: People can always donate to Schneider’s as a charity because the kids could always use their help. Donations to Schneider’s also go toward extra stuff like tutors, hospitality for families and special therapists
MM: Anything else we need to know about your Mitzvah Project?
SA: A friend of mine from Cleveland wanted to visit the hospital for me when she was vacationing in Israel. While at the hospital her father videotaped their tour given by the head Oncology Dr. Stein. The video highlighted the wonderful care the kids get when they are at the hospital. Sometimes the kids are at the hospital for 3 months or longer. Dr. Stein also told us about the advanced technology like the ventilation system that that keeps the air clean for the kids. The video was very cool because even though I did not get to see the hospital in person I still got to see what the hospital looked like. This spring my 8th grade Schechter class gets to go to Israel and I am excited to visit with Dr. Stein and the kids at the hospital.
We want to thank Sam for sharing his gift of giving with Mitzvah Market. If you are interested in having your Mitzvah Project benefit this great cause, check out all their ideas here.
