chesed

Kids’ #Giveback Sunday in West Hempstead

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Patients at Northwell Health’s North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset will be having an extra happy Purim this year due to the efforts of the children of the Young Israel of West Hempstead.  

Over 75 of them came out in force (with their moms and dads) for the third annual #Giveback Sunday event. 

“#Giveback Sunday is an event designed to do exactly that: give back to the larger Jewish community,” says Ayelet Mottahedeh, who brought her two kids to the event.

Kari Levine, one of the founders of the program, explains that she got the idea from when she received her own hospital gift package.

“When I walked into the hospital on Taanit Esther to give birth to my fourth daughter, I was handed a beautiful Purim package at the door,” she recalled. “That one package was the inspiration behind this program, which I am proud to say has now given out over 300 packages to hospital and nursing home patients.”

As each family arrived at the Young Israel, they were greeted by cheerful background music and the scents of fresh coffee and pastries. Families were then directed to tables teeming with such craft items as markers, glittery stickers, washi tape and gems. Then they got down to work creating and packing over 100 boxes, to be delivered to patients at the hospital. 

“This year, we wanted to connect our chesed to Purim, and so we created boxes to help people who have to be in the hospital over Purim to be able to celebrate the chag with simcha,” explains Jen Toplan, one of the organizers. 

Each patient will receive packages that include a tzedakah box brightly decorated with stickers and shiny gems, a mask adorned with feathers, a homemade gragger, and a copy of Megillat Esther.

“This event is so perfect for me to bring my kids to,” said Deborah Rockoff, another of the chesed-doers, “I want to teach my kids to think of others, and this event helps me show that in action”  

Rabbi Dr. Hillel Fox, the Manhasset hospital’s chaplain, agrees.

“It warms my heart to see so many families volunteering their time to decorate and provide religious articles for the Jewish patients at North Shore,” he said. Your kindness will bring smiles, comfort and joy to sick patients who are hospitalized over the Purim holiday.”

Even the toughest of  critics seemed to like it. “I really like doing chesed,” says 9-year-old Meira Levine. “I can’t wait to do it again next year!”