On the occasion of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah,you can help save children's lives in Israel.Learn More:Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah - Past Participants - We Need Your Help - How You Can Help - Recognition - Gift Opportunities For more information, contact Tani Schwartz at 800-556-5327 or mitzvah@mdinyc.org Download the Program and Registration Form here: (depending on you internet connection, it may take up to 1 minute to download the program) Printable Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program Registration Form Mazel Tov on Your Upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah! - Back to top. Bar/Bat-Mitzvah literally translates to “son of” or “daughter of” mitzvah, which means that as you attain religious maturity, you become responsible to fulfill all Torah commandments, or mitzvot (good deeds). The occasion is cause for great celebration. It is also a time to reflect on your new status as a prayer and community participant. We invite you to mark this important milestone with a special and unique mitzvah of your very own. You can help save children's lives. In Jewish tradition, philanthropy, tzedakah, is a righteous deed and a just activity. Tzedakah not only provides you with a sense of personal involvement, but also empowers you to make a difference – such a difference in fact, that it can save a life. » Back to top. Past Participants - Back to top. On the occasion of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah, we invite you to join other children who have given tzedakah to the hospital, helping save many children's lives. Alana, Bridgewater, NJ Alana donated money to the burn unit at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel in honor of each guest that attended her Bat Mitzvah. “I am so happy to help the pediatric burn victims in Israel, because my sister also was a burn victim in the United States.” Ayala Lieberman, Brooklyn, NY In honor of her Bat Mitzvah, Ayala made teddy bears with her classmates at Shulamit for the children at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel. Project Sunshine was a tremendous help in sending the bears to the hospital, which brought so much joy to the children at the hospital. Children light up when they receive Ayala’s bears Devra, and friends Sarah and Rachel, Cleveland, OH “…I wanted to donate to a place that was going to put my gift to good use…we decided to donate money to buy stereo equipment for one of the therapy or activity rooms at the hospital. I believe that music is an amazing gift from G-d that has the ability to cheer people up. I wanted children who were ill or injured to hear music and become uplifted. My friends and I are proud to donate to this cause.” Emma, Short Hills, NJ Emma asked her friends and family to donate funds towards a Mobile Library and also organized a read-a-thon to benefit Schneider Children’s. She was so successful that sufficient funds were raised to purchase PlayStation games for the children as well. “This program has truly moved me. It helped me to incorporate my love of reading to helping others. I hope other people will participate in this program as well.” Erica Winters, Port Washington, New York . Erica handcrafted a beautiful quilt as her Mitzvah project and sent it to Schneider Children’s with the wish that, “I hope it keeps you warm and that you feel better.” Eva, Providence, RI Eva prepared a special letter for guests of her Bat Mitzvah celebration and asked everyone to make a donation to Schneider Children’s in lieu of gifts:…” To make this day even more meaningful, I would like to contribute something to others who are less fortunate than I. I would especially like to help children that are in need. Our discussions at school about the Middle East have made me more aware of the growing needs there. I would therefore like to suggest that as my Bat Mitzvah gift, you join me in making a donation to the Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel...” Justin Siegel, Rockville, MD Justin organized a poker game to raise money to purchase Distraction Toys for the children at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel. “I felt really great participating in this program. It showed me that it is fun and easy to make a big difference in someone’s life. I am so glad I could participate.” Katie, New York, NY In continuing the tradition of philanthropy in her family, Katie, the granddaughter of Irving and Helen Schneider, donated money from her Bat Mitzvah to help the children at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel. Michael Suskin, Baltimore, Maryland Michael donated funds to Schneider Children’s and visited the hospital with his family so that he could meet some of the children. “Helping other less-fortunate or ill people makes me realize how fortunate and blessed I really am.” Molly Zuckerman, Potomac, MD Molly donated some of her Bat Mitzvah gift money to help the children at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel. Rachel Kirschner, Voorhees, New Jersey Rachel sent Schneider Children’s seven boxes of stuffed animals that she collected as part of her Bat Mitzvah project. “…Thank you so much for giving me a chance to help young children of Israel and give these toys as gifts”. Summit Jewish Community Center, Summit, NJ The Bar/Bat Mitzvah class donated Tzedakah Funds to Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel. » Back to top. We Need Your Help - Back to top. Israel's government is hard-pressed to provide sufficient funds for the country's health care system, which is facing a crisis of major proportions. In order to ensure that the finest medical care is provided to the children in its care, Schneider Children's must seek alternative sources of income. It is here that your support can play a vital role. Your gift can help us in many ways – from enhancing services and facilities to purchasing urgently needed equipment and supporting the addition of new staff members. You can choose a specific project from our Project List such as toys, art supplies, computer equipment, Hospital Clowns, or you can donate to the general needs of the hospital. » Back to top. How You Can Help - Back to top. Choose one or all of the suggestions listed below in order to help Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. Donate all or part of your bar/bat mitzvah gift money to Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. Organize a mitzvah project in your community and send the money you have raised to Medical Development for Israel, Inc.(MDI). Suggested mitzvah projects: Create a show or concert, and sell tickets to benefit the hospital. You can then videotape it, and send it to Schneider Children's for the children to watch. Collect children's books and toys and have a yard sale. Make an item that you can sell to a friend, and send the matching item to a child in the hospital. Suggestions include bracelets, t-shirts, toys, or posters. Children will have “buddies” in Israel wearing or using matching items. Coordinate a walk-a-thon or a read-a-thon and ask friends and family to sponsor you for each mile you walk or book you read. Host a community car wash with friends. Create your own project by turning a personal interest into your mitzvah project. Encourage your parents to make a contribution to Schneider Children's in honor of each guest attending your bar/bat mitzvah. Insert a small card in your invitation or thank you note acknowledging the contribution your family is making on behalf of each guest to Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. Or, distribute the card at your bar/bat mitzvah. We can provide your family with a template for this card. Make a tzedakah presentation about the hospital to your congregation, friends, or school. We will provide you with a PowerPoint presentation. Encourage your guests to make a contribution instead of bringing a gift by mentioning your preference for a contribution in your invitation. You can also adopt your own project or department at the hospital (minimum gift required). For more information about any of these suggestions, please e-mail mitzvah@mdinyc.org or call (800) 556-5327. Donations are to be made payable to Medical Development for Israel, Inc. (MDI) which is the American fundraising organization for Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. MDI is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. All contributions made to MDI are tax-deductible. » Back to top. In appreciation of your contribution, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel will gladly recognize your generosity Recognition - Back to top. Your name will be inscribed in the Roll of Honor Book kept permanently at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel alongside those of other B ’nai Mitzvah. A letter acknowledging your contribution will be sent both to you and your Rabbi. You will receive a special certificate in appreciation of your contribution to Schneider Children’s. Continue your commitment to save children’s lives by repeating your Mitzvah. In celebration of your next five birthdays until you turn 18 (chai, meaning “life”). You may pledge an annual gift of $180 (ten times chai) or more to Schneider Children’s. At the end of that period, your name will be permanently inscribed on the Roll of Honor Plaque kept permanently at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel alongside those of other B ’nai-Mitzvah. The children of Schneider Children's say: » Back to top. BAR/BAT MITZVAH PROGRAM GIFT OPPORTUNITIES - Back to top. Thank you for participating in our Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program! You have the option of designating your gift towards a specific project on this list, or, alternatively, allowing us to apply the funds to the general needs of the hospital. Below is a current listing of available projects: $ 150 Television services for one month for one child (underprivileged, socio-economic cases)** $ 250 Soft cuddly toys, those that make a noise (bells etc), bright colored, different sizes** Art supplies (materials, paints, paper, etc)** Lego Sets** Therapeutic tools for social workers such as art materials, games requiring thought and emotions** $ 300 Television services for two months for one child (underprivileged, socio-economic cases)** $ 400 Transport services between Schneider Children’s and homes for children from underprivileged backgrounds** $ 500 Electronic toys for older children (gameboys, software programs, board games)** Play table for Lego** One Hospital Clown for one month $ 750 Stereo system for Physical Therapy $ 900 Television services for six months for one child (underprivileged, socio-economic cases)** $ 1000 Distraction toys for children in Nuclear Medicine, Imaging, Dialysis, Oncology, Epilepsy Clinic, Pain Management, etc.** 25” Color Television for Physical and Occupational Therapy $ 1500 Digital Camera and Printer for Photography in Art Therapy Program $ 1800 Television services for one year for one child (underprivileged, socio-economic cases)** $ 2000 Digital Camera and Printer for Pain Management Program for periodic recording and assessment $ 2500 Oxygen Monitor ** Reclining wheelchair for Physical Therapy ** Mobile Library on Wheels (project funded as of 11-1-04) $ 3500 Oven for Ceramics and Sculpting in Art Therapy Program Looms for Weaving in Art Therapy Program ** $ 5000 TV monitor mounted on the ceiling, for children lying down while undergoing lengthy tests in Nuclear Medicine Manual lift wheelchair for Physical Therapy Computer and accessories for Audiology screening of newborns One Hospital Clown for one year ** $ 6000 Laptop computer and software for bedside quality control in Pediatric Pain Management Wheels ** and Kiln for Art Therapy Program $ 9000 Artist/Photography teacher for Art Therapy Program $ 10000 Materials for annual Educational Art Program** Two hospital clowns per year ** $ 12500 Warming blanket for children/Radiation warming system for infants ** $ 13000 Video Camera, TV set, VCR and accessories for movement assessment in Physical Therapy $ 15000 Computerized Patient Data Management Station in Intensive Care Unit ** $ 18000 Upper Limb Exerciser for Occupational Therapy $ 20000 Annual calendar production of children's artworks ** Multiple Items Needed.