Philanthropy @ Google

The founders have set a goal of devoting 1% of Google's equity and yearly profits to philanthropy, resources which totaled over $100 million in 2009.

Google.org uses Google's strengths in information and technology to build products and advocate for policies that address global challenges.

Google Flu Trends - A tool that uses aggregated Google search data to estimate flu activity in near real-time for 20 countries.

Google PowerMeter - A home energy monitoring tool that gives you the information you need to use less electricity and save money.

Earth Engine - A computational platform for global-scale analysis of satellite imagery to monitor changes in key environmental indicators like forest coverage.

RE - An effort to develop utility-scale renewable energy at a price cheaper than that of coal.

Google Crisis Response - A team that provides updated imagery, outreach through our web properties, and engineering tools such as the Person Finder application, in the wake of natural and humanitarian crises.

All For Good - A service, developed by Google and other technology companies, that helps people find volunteer opportunities in their community and share them with their friends. All for Good provides a single search interface for volunteer activities across many major volunteering sites and organizations.

Charitable Giving

Googler-led giving to support efforts in our local communities and around the globe (no solicitations accepted).

Corporate Giving Council - A cross-Google team that coordinates support for Googler-led partnerships on causes such as K-12 science/math/technology education and expanding access to information.

Holiday gift - A $22 million donation in 2009 to a couple dozen deserving charities from around the globe in order to help organizations who have been stretched thin by increasing requests for help at a time of lower donations. Gift was in lieu of giving holiday gifts to clients and partners.

Community Affairs - Investments in local communities where Google has a presence, creating opportunities for Googlers to invest their time and expertise in their communities, engage in community grantmaking, and build partnerships with stakeholders in the community.

Google employee matching - Up to $6,000 company match for each employee's annual charitable contributions and $50 donation for every 5 hours an employee volunteers through the "Dollars for Doers" program. 

Read all the actions: 

Engineering Awards and Programs - Information and Tools to Help You Change the World - Google Green Initiatives

I'm sorry - Ani Mitzta'eret

Ahavah

 To all friends and followers of my blog.

- I love you all, without distinction. Now I understand how difficult it is visit you all bloggers.. My lack of time can not be a mere excuse, but there was a change in my schedule with for my time and my family. I would take a blogger tool to streamline my contacts with all of you visiting their bloggers more often, but now it has been impossible. I say this for everyone: I'm very grateful.

Adelle (Isha)

To my friends I dedicate this song 
(English subtitles)

Matan Torah - The Torah Delivery

Mitzvot - The 613 Commandments

"Love thy friend as thyself" (Leviticus 19:18)
Rabbi Akiva says; "This is a great rule [11] in the Torah."

This statement of our sages requires explanation. The word Klal (collective or rule) indicates a sum of details that, when joined, form the collective above. So when he says about the Mitzva, "Love thy friend as thyself," that this is a great Klal in Torah, we must understand that the rest of 612 Mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah, with all its interpretations are no more and no less than the sum of the details entered and contained in that single Mitzva (singular of Mitzvot), "Love thy friend as thyself."

This is rather perplexing, because you can say this considering Mitzvot between man and man, but how can this singular Mitzva contain all the Mitzvot between man and Gd, which are the essence and the vast majority of laws?

And if we can still strive to find some way to reconcile these words come before we say one second, even more conspicuous on a convert who came before Hillel (Shabbat31) and told him: "Teach me the whole Torah while becoming on one leg. "And he replied:" Whatever you hate, do not do unto thy friend "(a translation of" love thy friend as thyself "), and the rest is your comment, go study.

Here before us is a clear law that in all other 612 Mitzvot (commandments) and all written in the Torah there is no Mitzva to be preferred to "love thy friend as thyself." This is because they only direct their play and allow us to keep the Mitzva of loving others properly, since it specifically says - "the rest is your comment, go study." This means that the rest of the Torah and their interpretations of this Mitzva one, that the Mitzva to love your friend as yourself could not be completed if they were not all they also understood.

The 613 Mitzvot
According to Sefer Hamitzvot of Rambam

Tzom Tammuz - Traditions

The tradition on 17 Tammuz
The "17th of Tammuz" (5770) - June 29, (2010). "Tzom Tammuz" is marked by sadness and mourning, a day of fasting and introspection for the Jewish people. It marks the day the Romans breached the walls of Jerusalem, to begin the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. This same day Moses broke the tablets upon seeing the Jewish people worshiping the golden calf.



The three-week -  begin on June 29, 2010 (17th of Tammuz), and continue through July 20, 2010 (9th of Av).
The three weeks of our saddest calendar will the 17th of Tammuz until the 9th of Av, Tisha B'Av. Are marked by a period of mourning for the destruction of the Temple, and the resulting physical exile and spiritual displacement - in which we are still: the galut.

It's called "ben hametsarim" - "between the grips", based on the verse (ECHA 1:3) which states: All her persecutors overtook them on the inside of the grips. " The Sages (ECHA Rabbah 1) explain that 'inside the grips refers to days of trouble that occurred during the period between 17th of Tammuz and 9 Av At this time, many calamities befell the Jewish people through the generations. It was during this period, in the grips, which both first and second Temples were destroyed. This period was thus established as a time of mourning for the destruction of shrines.

During this time, we reduced the extent of our joy. Weddings are not performed, we refrain from listening to music, dancing, recreational trips, and cut their hair or shaving. According to Sephardic custom, which is based on the opinion of Bet Yosef, haircuts are allowed up to the week in which Tish'á Beav actually falls.

It is usually not recite the blessing Shehecheyanu this period. Thus, not wear new clothes or eat fruits that have not yet been eaten this season, so you do not have to recite Shehecheyanu. However, when faced with an opportunity to fulfill a mitzvah that will - such as a circumcision or a pidyon haben - so it made the blessing. Likewise, if a new fruit is available during this period of three weeks and maybe not then Shehecheyanu is recited. As is customary to allow the blessing is recited on Shabbat, it is preferable to save the new fruit until the Shabbat. A pregnant woman who is willing to eat the fruit, however, or a sick person who needs it for his health, can recite Shehecheyanu during the three weeks.

Tends to be even more careful than normal to avoid dangerous situations. People devoted a separate period of time for reflection and mourning for the destruction of both Temples. In some communities it is customary to recite the "Tikun Chatzot" (the Midnight Prayer Service) even at noon.

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

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 3,000 Devoted, 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. 5,000 Alternating volunteers each year from delegations from abroad and youth groups. 14 Elegant 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. 2,400 Guests eat each day in the restaurant chain. 1,200 Meals 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. 5,000 Hot Meals are distributed each day to children of underprivileged families who study in long school-day programs in playgroups, schools, and welfare clubs. 5,000 Food 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. 800 Food cards are distributed every weekend to underprivileged families in Kiryat Malachi. 8 Welfare 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 . 3 Clubs 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. 64 Handicapped 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

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.

Click here to donate