24 June 2010

SOS Campaign Northeast - Brazil

Instituto Ressoar
The states of Alagoas and Pernambuco in Brazil were hit by violent rains which claimed victims and left thousands homeless. The situation in these two states is very serious! 26 cities in Alagoas are affected, with 15 of these municipalities are in a state of public calamity; Now Pernambuco on the quantity affected cities is even greater. There are 54 municipalities affected by the rain. Of these, 30 are in an emergency situation and enacted in 9 public calamity.

Touched by the plight of the people of the northeast, the Institute Ressoar Rede Record TV invites to help victims of the Northeast. With national coverage, the campaign will collect cash donations to help victims of this great disaster to regain his dignity.

Donations of any amount can be made directly in branches of Banco Bradesco or ATMs for account:
Banco Bradesco
agency 922-9
current account 5500-0


Below are the data from the Institute Ressoar, if anyone wants to make the deposit via DOC:

Record Office for Social Responsibility
CNPJ: 07.669.797/0001-63


Those who live abroad can make wire transfers to a thousand reais (R $ 1,000.00). For other forms of payment you must take account details over the Swift Bradesco abroad:

Banco Bradesco - 237
Agency: 0922-9
cc: 5500-0
Record Office for Social Responsibility
CNPJ: 07.669.797/0001-63
swift code: BBDEBRSPSPO


For larger amounts you need to discover your financial agent abroad to learn about the correct procedures.

In addition, the campaign will encourage the donation of mattresses, bedding and bath, hygiene material, diapers, nonperishable food, powdered milk and mineral water. measures such as emergency care to the population.

The victims affected and the displaced are in dire need of mattresses, bed linen and towels, personal hygiene supplies, diapers, nonperishable food, powdered milk and mineral water.

To know where to send donations in Alagoas and Pernambuco click here

22 June 2010

Relief Center In Israel - Meir Panim

Mission
Meir Panim’s mission is to prevent poverty, distress and dependence on governmental aid or charity, and to build self-esteem and independence amongst needy populations in Israel. Meir Panim is the largest conduit of its kind, dispensing vital food and social service programs to those who need it most. Our commitment is to the people of Israel and under no circumstances do we discriminate based on race, ethnicity, or religious observance.

For nearly a decade, Meir Panim has been steadfast in its dedication to the needy of Israel. Meir Panim's dynamic programs reach out to all victims of poverty - young and old alike - restoring hope into the lives of thousands each day. Meir Panim aims to be not only a provider of food and social service programs to those who need it most, but a symbol of strength to meet the daily challenges of the impoverished of Israel.


MEIR PANIM - Numbers and data
3,000Devoted, responsible, regular volunteers representing all shades of Israeli society give of their time, energy and talents, enabling Meir Panim and POG to continue their ongoing work.
5,000Alternating volunteers each year from delegations from abroad and youth groups.
14Elegant restaurants are situated in the centers of towns, and serve hot, nourishing meals each day, with 3 courses at every meal.
List of Branches: Jerusalem, Tzfat, Dimonah, Sderot, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Malachi, Kiryat Arba, Haifa, Akko, Chatzor, Tiberias, Or Akiva, Be\'er Sheva.
2,400Guests eat each day in the restaurant chain.
1,200Meals on Wheels are delivered each day to elderly and handicapped people who are homebound and cannot go to the restaurants. The shipping is handled by volunteers.
5,000Hot Meals are distributed each day to children of underprivileged families who study in long school-day programs in playgroups, schools, and welfare clubs.
5,000Food cards are distributed to elderly Holocaust survivors throughout Israel prior to the Holidays (Rosh Hashana & Passover).
30,000
Hot meals will be distributed to children in educational institutions in towns in the Negev each day, starting from the 2010 academic year, through the "Food Factory for Negev Children" program.
800Food cards are distributed every weekend to underprivileged families in Kiryat Malachi.
8Welfare Clubs are run in Meir Panim branches during the afternoon hours in cooperation with the Bnai Akiva, Ezra and Hatzofim youth movements. The clubs are run by professional teachers and provide academic reinforcement as well as meals and enrichment. They are accompanied by special parenting schools. The clubs function in the following locations: Acco, Hatzor, Kiryat Gat, Tiberias, Or Akiva and Safed .
3Clubs for the elderly are run in Meir Panim branches during the morning hours, in the following cities: Acco, Kiryat Arba and Tzfat. The participants enjoy cultural activities such as art, sudy of the Hebrew language and lectures, as well as a hot lunch.
64Handicapped and emotionally disabled people are currently integrated in rehabilitative work programs in Meir Panim kitchens, in Kiryat Malachi, Dimona and Acco. They assist in preparing and packaging food, and receive a symbolic salary in exchange for their work. The Food Factory for Negev Children will integrate another 150 rehabilitation patients.

Can you help? Click here to donate

15 June 2010

Operation Promise

Our Jewish story begins with a promise, passed from generation to generation like a golden chain, etched in our collective memories and recorded in our books. This promise represents our hope to be a free people, to return to our historic homeland and to create a better future; it represents our dream to be a compassionate people, whose purpose it is to make the world a better place.

The Jewish Agency for Israel along with the federations of North America accept this promise as our legacy and our opportunity. We are responsible for one another’s safety, health and quality of life. And Operation Promise reminds us of our commitment to a rich tradition of generosity and justice that are the hallmark of the Jewish people.

$160 Million in New Funding Over Three Years

Operation Promise has been launched to continue and expand the already extraordinary achievements of the federation movement: Caring for hundreds of thousands of needy elderly and building and supporting the next generation of Jewish life in the FSU; and bringing the Ethiopian Jewish community home to Israel and helping them to take their rightful place in Israeli society. The programs are in place; the urgent needs have been well documented. Now is the time to implement the plan: $160 million in new funding over the next three years.

- $23 million for the Falas Mura in Ethiopia: for maintaining the compounds, providing assistance with food, rent and healthcare, and operating several feeding programs; Hebrew-language education and other vital aliyah preparation to help ensure a smoother absorption; and airfare to Israel.

- $40 million for the initial absorption of the Falas Mura as the rate they arrive in Israel doubles from 300 to 600 each month; the absorption centers and the programs and services provided must be expanded.

- $37 million towards critical initiatives to improve the educational opportunities for all Ethiopians, who, without these opportunities, are in danger of becoming part of a permanent underclass.

- $30 million for needy elderly Jews in the FSU who live in poverty, with virtually no government safety net.

- $30 million for programs to connect to a generation of young Jews in the FSU, with no roots in Jewish life. Falling short means that we may lose them forever.


10 June 2010

Children's Health Fund

Children's Health Fund, co-founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician/child advocate Irwin Redlener, MD, is committed to providing health care to the nation's most medically underserved children through the development and support of innovative primary care medical programs; response to public health crises; and the promotion of guaranteed access to appropriate health care for all children.

The Fund works specifically to:
Support a national network of pediatric programs in some of the nation's most disadvantaged rural and urban communities;
Ensure support of its flagship pediatric programs for homeless and other medically underserved children in New York City;
Advocate for policies and programs which will ensure access to medical homes that provide comprehensive and continuous health care for all children; and
Educate the general public about the needs and barriers to health care experienced by disadvantaged children.

How to help the Children's Health Fund
Biography of Paul Simon, Co-Founder.

09 June 2010

Deuteronomy (Devarim), Chapter 5: 6 - 17

"Torah is not just a way of life... It is Life"

ו  אָנֹכִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים:  לֹא-יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, עַל-פָּנָי.6 - I am the LORD thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
ז  לֹא-תַעֲשֶׂה לְךָ פֶסֶל, כָּל-תְּמוּנָה, אֲשֶׁר בַּשָּׁמַיִם מִמַּעַל, וַאֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ מִתָּחַת--וַאֲשֶׁר בַּמַּיִם, מִתַּחַת לָאָרֶץ.7 - Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, even any manner of likeness, of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
ח  לֹא-תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה לָהֶם, וְלֹא תָעָבְדֵם:  כִּי אָנֹכִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, אֵל קַנָּא--פֹּקֵד עֲו‍ֹן אָבוֹת עַל-בָּנִים וְעַל-שִׁלֵּשִׁים וְעַל-רִבֵּעִים, לְשֹׂנְאָי.8 - Thou shalt not bow down unto them, nor serve them; for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate Me,
ט  וְעֹשֶׂה חֶסֶד, לַאֲלָפִים--לְאֹהֲבַי, וּלְשֹׁמְרֵי מצותו (מִצְו‍ֹתָי).  {ס}9 - and showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments. {S}
י  לֹא תִשָּׂא אֶת-שֵׁם-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, לַשָּׁוְא:  כִּי לֹא יְנַקֶּה יְהוָה, אֵת אֲשֶׁר-יִשָּׂא אֶת-שְׁמוֹ לַשָּׁוְא.  {ס}10 - Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain. {S}
יא  שָׁמוֹר אֶת-יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת, לְקַדְּשׁוֹ, כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוְּךָ, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ.11- Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD thy God commanded thee.
יב  שֵׁשֶׁת יָמִים תַּעֲבֹד, וְעָשִׂיתָ כָּל-מְלַאכְתֶּךָ.12- Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work;
יג  וְיוֹם, הַשְּׁבִיעִי--שַׁבָּת, לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ:  לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה כָל-מְלָאכָה אַתָּה וּבִנְךָ-וּבִתֶּךָ וְעַבְדְּךָ-וַאֲמָתֶךָ וְשׁוֹרְךָ וַחֲמֹרְךָ וְכָל-בְּהֶמְתֶּךָ, וְגֵרְךָ אֲשֶׁר בִּשְׁעָרֶיךָ--לְמַעַן יָנוּחַ עַבְדְּךָ וַאֲמָתְךָ, כָּמוֹךָ.13- but the seventh day is a sabbath unto the LORD thy God, in it thou shalt not do any manner of work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou.
יד  וְזָכַרְתָּ, כִּי עֶבֶד הָיִיתָ בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, וַיֹּצִאֲךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ מִשָּׁם, בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה; עַל-כֵּן, צִוְּךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, לַעֲשׂוֹת, אֶת-יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת.  {ס}14- And thou shalt remember that thou was a servant in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day. {S}
טו  כַּבֵּד אֶת-אָבִיךָ וְאֶת-אִמֶּךָ, כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוְּךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ--לְמַעַן יַאֲרִיכֻן יָמֶיךָ, וּלְמַעַן יִיטַב לָךְ, עַל הָאֲדָמָה, אֲשֶׁר-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ.  {ס}15- Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God commanded thee; that thy days may be long, and that it may go well with thee, upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. {S}
טז  לֹא תִרְצָח,  {ס}  וְלֹא תִנְאָף;  {ס}  וְלֹא תִגְנֹב,  {ס}  וְלֹא-תַעֲנֶה בְרֵעֲךָ עֵד שָׁוְא.  {ס}16- Thou shalt not murder. {S} Neither shalt thou commit adultery.{S} Neither shalt thou steal. {S} Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. {S}
יז  וְלֹא תַחְמֹד, אֵשֶׁת רֵעֶךָ;  {ס}  וְלֹא תִתְאַוֶּה בֵּית רֵעֶךָ, שָׂדֵהוּ וְעַבְדּוֹ וַאֲמָתוֹ שׁוֹרוֹ וַחֲמֹרוֹ, וְכֹל, אֲשֶׁר לְרֵעֶךָ.  {ס}17- Neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's wife; {S} neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's. {S}

06 June 2010

AACD - Association for Assistance to Deficient Children

The Association for Assistance to Deficient Children is a private, nonprofit, who has work for 59 years for the welfare of people with physical disabilities.

AACD was born the dream of a doctor in Brazil who wanted to create a rehabilitation center with the same quality of centers that knew abroad to treat children and adolescents with disabilities and reintegrate them into society. Dr. Renato da Costa Bomfim assembled a group of idealistic and, in 1950, founded the AACD.

Earlier, the organization worked in two rented houses in Rua Barão de Piracicaba, in São Paulo. But with to the collaboration of the donors, the AACD founded his first rehabilitation center, on land donated by the São Paulo city on street Ascendino Reis.

The center was inaugurated in June 1963 and marked a new stage in the treatment of patients of the institution. It works to date, same address. But the company won seven other units throughout the state and throughout Brazil.

Mission: To promote the prevention, habilitation and rehabilitation of persons with physical disabilities, especially children, adolescents and young people and encouraging social integration.

Vision: To be the preferred option in Orthopedics and Rehabilitation for patients, doctors, professionals, covenants and supporters, and be recognized for its high standard of quality and efficiency, transparency, social responsibility and sustainability.

Values: social responsibility, respect for human beings and their differences, ethics, quality, efficiency and competence and transparency

For over a decade, the AACD performs the Teleton, which every year brings together artists, presenters and personalities in a telethon in search of donations.

 - To keep the more than 5.760 calls medicals that AACD does every day, the institution relies on donations of individuals and companies who collaborate regularly. However, there are still over 30.000 disabled people in queues waiting for an opportunity to receive care. In some cases this queue reaches up to 8 years of waiting. So their contribution is so important. Choose how you want to help and do your part. Help AACD to help those in needWondering how? Click here.

03 June 2010

5.700 years - Our Union

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669, Daniel in the Lions' Den 
Drawing with pen and brush - Art and The Bible
5.700 years - The faith in our Gd will always be our union and salvation

I'm part of a people and a nation persecuted by its customs and its determination to be free

In the past, as our history shows, we never accept slavery and oppression, we always had the desire to be free. Our history has over 5000 years. During this period, almost 2000 years, we were prevented from returning to live in the land of Israel as descendants of a nation and a united people. We returned to earth in 1948 after the Nazi persecution and oppression of anti-Semitic world (many nations and peoples, not only the Nazis, betrayed us) and then rebuild our identity with a free country, modern and democratic. But still, other nations and leaders of different religions try in always blame us the ills of the world, trying to beat us to take negative our freedom and right to exist.

Why we are always accused and guilty in the past 2000 years?
It may be that:
- Our self-determination to follow the laws of one God, our One Lord, Whoever taught us the precepts of our conduct of life? This offends other people?
- Our determination in to never accept the rule and power of kings who styled themselves the right to be chosen by the doubtful his god?
- Our determination not to accept that a single man to be our leader because he received only a realm of family inheritance or by conquest of war? Not even David, a man symbol for the Jews, went unscathed in our trial when he sinned against Uriah.
- Our determination not to accept as true Messiah (Mashiach) our brother Jew named Jesus (Yeshua)?
- It was our determination not to accept that men and women were deified as saints by Catholicism? Or becouse we do not accept Catholicism as the only truth after Jesus?
- Was also not considered fair to Islam, we jews, not consider Muhammad the Messiah of the Muslims?

For nearly two thousand years after the second destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 d.C, where they were killed almost 1 million Jews, the survivors were expelled from wandering around in all corners of the earth. Yet, never accept other gods, nor mud, nor of gold, never accept be enslaved by the Kings or other authoritarian regimes. Other millions of my brothers died because of that, but We never lost hope that one day our One Lord would bring us salvation in life, even if it was for our distant descendants, we never lost the hope because we endure for a better world, even which means we should suffer humiliation at all sides.

It is this self-determination of all of us that offends others cultures?

When we choose a leader he should be for us a good example, never accept leaders tyrants, never in our history of more than 5000 years had a leader even be described as evil and tyranny. Because of that then we would accept the tyranny of others? The humble faith and grace that falls upon a leader must be good and sweet as our God teaches, A true leader can not be a proud, bitter and spiteful in his heart.

In all ages of history on earth, other peoples and nations accepted or be ruled by patriarchal reign of tyranny, or religious or totalitarian. And now where are they? How they live their descendants? - Most of them lost their identity, their children lost their freedom, their women were vilified, their men have died in vain in wars and struggles senseless. Leaders that disappeared and been forgotten, bringing the oblivion of his people and his nation. We Jews, we may be different in this regard.

Our habits and desire for preservation, may be threat to authoritarian governments and religions that surround us. Nations where not there is complete freedom, nations and peoples where their women are still sold as slaves. a world where a woman can not bathe in public waters in bathing suits, there where women can not show your bare arms. Nations where sheiks, ayatollahs, clerics, presidents, rich and influential, self-styled masters of truth and the ideals of the exclusive rights of political faith and religious preaching. Similar to its offer submission and servitude as a destination for life, offer an immobile society where a poor man can never rise socially and to be free. Nations that do not offer equal rights to its people, there, where a rich man can have several wives and a poor man might buy only one. It is there, where they teach that killing innocents is going to heaven free from sin and entitled possess the eternal riches and virgins ... These lands only the powerful can enjoy freedom, welfare and wealth? Our culture and way of life, threatened their? Do they fear subjects infected with the "Jewish virus"?

Oh! Evil men. Until when they will try to throw us to the lions?

Are you interested more about Rembrandt's work published here?
Click, Art and the Bible.

01 June 2010

AVINU MALKEINU - OUR FATHER, OUR KING


Images by the artist Alex Levin

AVINU MALKEINU - OUR FATHER, OUR KING

Avinu malkeinu sh'ma kolenu / Our father our king, hear our voice
Avinu malkeinu chatanu l'faneycha / Our father our king, we have sinned before you
Avinu malkeinu chamol aleynu / Our father our king, Have compassion upon us
Ve'al olaleynu vetapeinu / and upon our children

Avinu malkeinu / Our father our king
Kaleh dever / Bring an end to pestilence,
vecherev vera'av mealeynu / war, and famine around us
Avinu malkeinu / Our father our king,
kaleh chol tsar / Bring an end to all trouble
Umastin mealeynu / and oppression around us

Avinu malkeinu / Our father our king
Avinu malkeinu / Our father our king
Kat'veinu besefer chayim tovim / Inscribe us in the book of (good) life
Avinu malkeinu chadesh aleynu / Our father our king, renew upon us
Chadesh aleynu shanah tovah / Renew upon us a good year

Sh'ma kolenu / Hear our voice
Sh'ma kolenu / Hear our voice
Sh'ma kolenu / Hear our voice

Avinu malkeinu / Our father our king

Avinu malkeinu / Our father our king
Chadesh aleynu shanah tovah / Renew upon us a good year

Avinu malkeinu / Our father our king
Sh'ma kolenu / Hear our voice (x4)