My friend sent me this great e-mail from Partners In Kindness. It was really nice. I am also looking for a job and I see that you have job postings. Brooklyn, NY This is a great idea. I'd like to get our religious school involved. Port Washington, New York Yasher koach on perfoming this most important mitzvah Albany, NY Melrose Park, PA I'm so sorry you lost your dear wife. May her memory be for a blessing. This web site is a lovely tribute to Shoshanah. New York, New York I want to subscribe to your letter. I work and live in Frankfurt, Germany. I am sorry about your wife, may her memory be a blessing. Frankfurt, Germany Let us bring Mashiach and celebrate this Thursday as a Yom Tov! (the 9th day of the Jewish month of Av) Brooklyn, NY Every act of kindness is true 'chesed.' I am overwhelmed by your efforts, and pray that the tree of kindness that you have planted will bear abundant fruit. Tel Aviv, Israel curious about this website, sounds like a good idea Netanya, Israel May The ALMIGHTY bless all your family! Guarujá, São Paulo Brasil WOW!! WHAT A FABULOUS IDEA AND GREAT WEBSITE. IT IS SUCH A "NOVEL" IDEA, BUT LIKE THE TORAH SAYS" THE JEWS ARE TO BE A LIGHT UNTO THE NATIONS" . THIS IS THE MOST POSITIVE IDEA THAT I HAVE HEARD IN A LONG TIME AND I WANT TO WISH U BRACHA V'HATZLACHA, BLESSING AND SUCCESS AND I WILL DO MY BEST TO FORWARD ALL OF THIS INFO ON TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND MAY WE ALL TOGETHER BE MATLIACH, SUCCESSFUL IN THIS GREAT MITZVAH EFFORT!!! KOL TUV, ALL GOOD THINGS. CHICAGO, IL It is hard to even find words,when I read that Shoshana was killed by a suicide bober. She probably was a young vibrant woman. Why Lord why? I have 3 daughters, and it is hard to imagine if this would have happened to one of them how I would have reacted. After despair and pain I would have asked the God of Abraham Issac and Jacob, and He is the God of the Christians and the Jews to carry me through, and I would have begged him to help me every minute. Like He had taught me to trust in Him when I had suddenly lost my first husband, and at that time I had a newborn and a 2 1/2 year old girl. Then I had lost my second husband after 5 weeks in intensive care. And now my third husband has abandoned our family...when I was ill. Because I put my trust in God I have experienced in times of extrem difficulties that God was kind to me. He sent people along my way who said a kind word, or helped me with love in action. God has never left me, and he promises this in His word. God is the primary source of kindness and I as a thankful Mensch want to pass this on even in difficult circumstances, because isn't it easy to be kind to a friend? I am not perfect, but God has promised that if we follow Him we will get more and more like Him. And don't you all even feel better when you are kind? I always do even if it first was a struggle. New Bloomfield, MO Hatzlacha New York, NY I am truly sorry about your wife's murder. What a beautiful tribute to her. We need more people like you for doing such a mitzva. Mitzva goreret Mitzva, One Mitzva leads to another Mitzva. Skokie, IL If mitzvot gereret mitzvot, than gemlicet chasadim geveret gemilcet chasadim. If mitzvot create more mitzvot, than your acts of kindness will create more acts of kindness. Your wife, Shoshana, was a lucky woman to have married you. You are truly making her memory one more precious than gold or rubies, a true woman of valor. Buffalo Grove, IL Temple Beth El in Bakersfield, Ca. organized the Kindness Klub (TM) in May 2002 as a fun way to teach Torah to K-8 Kaptain Kindness Bakersfield, CA I read Shmuel Greenbaum's article and was inspired. More than just observing Halacha, Jewish Law, I feel we need to be raising our children(myself a single mother of an 8 yr.old boy) to behave with kindness and compassion to others. Not to say that Halachot are not important (!), however, much more emphasis must be placed on the compassion and love that our Yiddishkeit teaches us! What alovely tool and opportunity we have here, thanks to Mr. Greenbaum. New York, NY I think Jews around the world including the USA need to come out of their safe homes and spread kindness too all unfortunate Jews. There are needy Jews every where and too many people choose to ignore them. Your daughter, the Poor, mentally ill, emotionally troubled. People are afraid to go beyond the Torah or their neighborhoods or their Shuls. I will not have a car soon but I hope the world will become more loving and giving instead of focusing on their cars and large homes. I wish you well. Ferndale, Michigan Ihave an archive of 1300 photos. If you need any touching or serious photos from Israel, send me an e mail and I will give it my most attention. May we speedily see our redemption. Brooklyn, NY A wonderful idea! Wish you hatzlachah tovah! South Easton, MA I just wanted to re-visit the web-site, I have not been here since it was so expanded and filled in. Yasher Koach, lit. may your strength be focussed, on an extrodinary project and on all you have been doing to mitchazek, strengthen, all of us in chessed, kindness looking at the positive, and remembering Shoshana A"H in such a meaningful light! Thank you. Jerusalem, Israel Thanks Chicago, IL What an awesome idea!! I am a 47 year old woman and my kids are out of the house (one married, one in out of town yeshiva) - I tend to be a homebody, love to do chesed and I have tons of time on my hands. I live in Chicago and I love this idea. Is there a way to do it exclusively for my city or how could I help others in this idea? I don't know how to make websites, but I know how to work w/AOL and some basic knowledge of computers. If you hve any ideas for me, Please let me know. Thanks, CHICAGO, IL USA I've never been so happy to receive a new web site. This is SO refreshing. I've often wondered why there can't be a news channel of just GOOD news! Well, you'er the second best thing. What a mitzvah you are doing during these difficult and sad times. THANK YOU! Maitland, FL Wonderful idea! My wife and I have been distributing sheva mitzvos b'nai Noach, Biblical laws incumbent on gentiles literature and urging people to do more acts of goodness & kindness. The reception has been staggeringly positive and gratifying. Brooklyn, NY We will be holding a Mitzvah Day for our congregation. I would love as much information and/or a guest spaker to education our students and their families on your orginazations. Buffalo Grove, IL Our condolences to you and your family on the tragic death of Shoshanah. You have inspired through your courage and humanity the capacity to grieve through the spreading of kindness. May the Jewish People never forget that this is an essential legacy of our role in the world. May Shoshanah's memory be ever inscribed for blesssing because of the love you are expressing through your example. Thank you! St. Michaels, MD Yasher Koach! (May your strength be focused) You brought tears to my eyes when I heard your words in the on the radio 550AM WKRC morning! It is this type of work which will certainly bring Moshiach, the Messiah in a revealed way quickly!! Cincinnati, Ohio How can I get my son's high school involved in this? I have three boys. Ages 13, 16, and 18 and think that some involvement with this program would be great. Actually my youngest son attends school in Cherry Hill, NJ. His principal's neice was at Sbarro the day of the bombing. Her name is Chana Tova and she remains in a facility in Israel in a coma. She and her husband have a 3 yr old little girl. I am very sorry for your loss. I read wonderful things about your wife. Merion Station, PA When will school's be able to participate? I am very anxious to pass the information of the tradition of kindness web site info on to my children's day schools. This would be a wonderful addition to their middos program. Merion Station, PA Every investment portfolio should be diversified in order to insure against declines in certain markets. Likewise, adequate nutrition is obtained only from a variety of foods. In mitzvos too, Shlomo advises in Ecclisiastes ‘Scatter your bread on the waters”. This can be taken as advice to do different categories of mitzvos. One example of a powerful mitzvoh involves Merit of the Community. Instead of focusing on an individual, the community as a whole becomes the target of the mitzvoh. A good example is your Kindness newsletter. But that is for you, what about everyone else. We are not all up to creating websites but there are many individuals involved in different form of communal merit. The examples below are of real people. Some involve monetery outlay, time, or even nominal effort. Obviously, our sages point out that ‘according to the difficulty, is the reward’. However, the benefit of ‘Zechus Horabim’ is that it often keeps accruing merit for the one who initiated the activity. Real life examples from Brooklyn N.Y. - initiate a daily charity collection in shul for the purpose of aquiring a library for members - organized a weekly neighborhood Torah class - create a ‘gemach’ , a society/group which: - lends money - lends flowers/benchers etc. for relevant occasions - gives new/used shoes to needy children - lends wedding gowns - organize learning program for children on Motzoi Shabbos - help collect funding for that program - post ‘Asher Yotzar” signs near washrooms to encourage people to make blessings from written text - orgaize a minyan for mincha - fill hot water urn for people in shul - buy tea bags/milk for tea/coffee for shul - let newly married couple use finished basement for 1-2 weeks after marriage - post signs informing people of a lecture - organize group to assist sick neighbor with housework/cooking/children Again, some of these activities require money, but mst do not. Everyones situation in life allows unique contributions. The only indispensible ingreedient is a desire to care for others. Bklyn, NY My maiden name is Strimel and I see in one of your article reference to ??an article of clothing?? called a strimel. Could you please tell me what it is?? Thanks for your information. Bradenton, FL usa Galil Elyon, Israel I am interested in Job sites, but only in Israel, I don't want to see everything advertised all over the world. Can the site be designed to slected a country? I would love to make many changes in our website and many new projects. However since I am donating thousands of dollars for this out of my pocket and I do all the work for it in my spare time and I have not gotten any solid commitments for volunteers, this will not happen any time soon. However... Subscribe to our weekly job e-mails. They contain many more jobs than our website and the Jobs for Israel are listed first. Also, the highest form of charity is to help a person find a job. After you finnished reading our e-mail, in a few seconds you could forward it to an unemployed friend in the US. Jews believe that G-d helps those who help OTHERS. Keep up the Kindness! Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel My heart leaps out to you and is filled with deep emotion when comtemplating the power of human strength and goodness. This is what unites & helps us survive as a nation inspite of all the obsticles surrounding us. All the power to you. Givat-Zeev, Israel BEHATZALAJA!!! San Diego, CA I just read the essay on Shoshana on page: http://www.traditionofkindness.org/shoshana.php It was one of the most inspiring pieces I ever read. Thank you. Toby Klein Greenwald, Efrat, Israel Efrat, Israel When in San Francisco, visit us: +DiversePeoples+OpenMinds+LovingHearts+ San Francisco, CA U.S.A. looking forward to seeing more "stuff" on the site. looks like it has great potential... jerusalem, israel It is great to see such a positive movement. Keep up the inspiring work and dedication. Minneapolis, MN USA Excellent website! Keep up the great work! Brooklyn, New York USA Looking for the text of Birkur Holim Primer. Please send, if you have this item. Many Thanks Minneapolis, MN, Minnesota I think what you are doing is unbelievable. maybe the purpose of your wife's life was to inspire such a program. Brooklyn, New York Is there a way to archive old daily messages? I have started yesterday getting a message, but heard some good ones from a friend and would love to find them myself. Skokie, IL USA Beautiful. see my email..it sums it all up!! Baltimore, MD Jerusalem, Israel On likes to read about other peoples kindnesses but repeating my own has never been my style. -Don't worry, the authors name is never printed - Ed. Baltimore, Maryland Thank you for your project. I really need advice. How I can get it. Beitar Illit, Israel Thank you for starting this wonderful project. I commend your bravery and strength. Your actions are very inspiring. G-d willing, I will join the list and ask others to do so as well. I just also wanted to mention that on the "about us" page, in the link to view the essay on Shoshana, her name is misspelled. Brooklyn, Ny I don't know what to say really. How can my wife and I know what you all are going through. We are Christians and the Lord has told us to love and support Israel. We pray each day, I wish we could do more. Owen Reading, Berkshire, Berkshire, United Ki United Kingdom I need peace and kindness Vancouver, WA I am a psychotherapist in private practice and also I am working to promote social and emotional learning in a school district in NJ. I am so impressed by this idea. Tenafly, New Jersey I've just visited your website for the first time and I'm in awe. Transforming darkness into light is a lofty concept that is easier to study than to implement. You are proving that it's not just philosophy but a way of life. Thank you for your shining example! Rochester, NY Your page was most uplifting, was just praying for my wife whois ill whith m-m cancer. Lord help us. Thanks Eldon, MO Usa I am so sorry to hear about your wife! I lived in Israel 30 years ago near Askalon. I know and can feel the hatred there! We need world peace now in order for survival! We are a proud people and I hope it remains that way! Babylon, N.Y. Kindness is contagious. Durham, N.C. Happy Holiday! With Blessings, Kockengen, Netherlands Most INTERESTING Shalom Eldon, MO Thank you for this wonderful site! The "message" of kindness brings out the best in all of us! Keep up with the great work! Blessed are you! Växjö, - Sweden Thank you for starting such a wonderful program! silver spring, md usa This is a wonderful idea and I would like to be a part of it. New York, New York I don't know if this is a right place to siggest the idea, but I've been thinking that there should be some website out there that people cvan post their tefilla requests (eg. for refuah shleima) and others can access and pray on theur behalf. I got the idea since I am on a mailing list of some jewish organizations and sometimes they circulate such requests. also, since there is a site for sharing simchas (www.onlysimchas.org), so maybe we can increase our merit with such a site? Response: KEYtfilla@aol.com sends frequent e-mails to their international list of people who pray and say Psalms for those who need it. Brooklyn, NY This site is breath of fresh air in this world of darkness Eldon, Missouri Usa This site is very special. I am truly inspired. Keep up the good work. Chicago, IL Shalom my friends, I was particularly touched by the young boy who, in spite of being given a hard time at school, still is prepared to be kind to others. His mother wants to move to an area with a Jewish community, school etc and thereby enjoy the support. This woman and her son sound like strong people with fine attitudes. Her son is going to be a better man living where he is being an example to others rather than being swamped in a total Jewish environment. It sounds like his dad is absent. That's sad. If he wants an Email Grandad he can always write to me but I do hope there's a strong man close by to give him friendship. I live in a community where there is no synagogue, Jewish school or any Jewish facilties. In a urban/rural population that would exceed 70,000 people there wouldn't be a dozen Jewish families let alone any facilities for them. We have a little group of 4 families who meet once a week to ":just enjoy being Jewish". I am now retired, after a lifetime of hard and rewarding work, always aspiring to be part of a large Jewish community but never getting the chance. A friend once said, "You have to learn to grow where you are planted, remembering that G_d never gets it wrong". If we are to be a light to the nations then we have to be out there right in amongst them. I have dreamed all my life about being in Israel, and on analysis my reasons are selfish. It's better that I am here, in the diaspora, growing where I am planted. Wanganui, New Zealand Mr. Greenbaum, My wife, neice, grandneice and I were in Sbarros with your wife. You and I spoke at the Clinton press conference at the Isaiah Wall. My neice is still in a coma as the result of the bombing. I'm angry. I believe that every kindness shown by Israel has been interpreted as weakness by the Arabs. But, I subscribed to you e-mail list in the hope that it will effect me the way others say it effect them. I glad that you have found a way to cope with your tragic loss and pray that you should know no additional tragedies. Ma'ale Adumim, Israel I am interested because I received mail describing the project. Los Angeles, California It is so great to hear about an organization like this!!! Passaic, NJ Thank you for publishing the letter from the couple who had to spend time in the hospital because of the husband's heart condition (Friday, July 25, 2003). By being open to and grateful for the positive aspects of the hospital experience the wife was able to connect with and engender continuing feelings of appreciation. This made the experience not only bearable but also miraculous. This same situation, viewed differently, could have been experienced as a tragedy. New York, NY I do not have a story nor a contact for you, but am taking this opportunity to acknowledge your request and thank you for several things -- your devotion to your wife and her blessed memory, your positive attempt at tikkun olam, for that seems to me to be your mission. Fixing the world by teaching kindness. Your stories have enriched my life, given me things to contemplate which, hopefully, have made me a better person; and I have shared them with others. Sharon, MA Very nice Toronto, Ontario Canada I would like to be able to make a donation to a gemach in Israel for weddings. My son is getting married next week and I would like to help some young couple in Israel get what they need for their wedding. Where can I find the correct email address for such a gemach? Englewood, NJ How will you make the Palestinian do act of Kindness instead of bombing us Jerusalem, Israel Well expressed and encouragement for all of us to express Torah in our living. Thank you so much. Corpus Christi, TX USA When I first heard of the bombing in which your wife was killed, I felt very strongly the connection to Israel that Jews have. I resolved then that if my son wanted to go to Israel to learn, I would let him-even if it was so far away. My son left to learn in Jerusalem right after Passover and will come home, G-d willing, right before Passover. May the Torah he is learning in our holy city of Yerushalayim be an aliya to Shoshana's neshama. I hope the Rebonon Shel Olam gives you strength and many simchos in the future. Brooklyn, NY This is one of the most beautiful websites I've ever seen. may you always go from strength to strength, you have done amazing things in the world by turning pain into chesed. May G-d bless you. Blessings for all good things to you. chicago, il we are shlihim in albany,we live in cochav hashahar in israel. i believe that helping each other will save us from our suffering and bring the mashiah.i will be very happy to help with anything i can do. i also heard about saving lives with the cord of a newborn baby. my mother died from cancer 5 years ago at age 47.i am interested to know who to contact about that, since i am due in two monthes time. albany, new york I have a washing machine in a working condition to give away. It is not a protable one and has to be connected to water (hot and cold) and sewer. It is about 7-8 years old, but work. Do you know someone who can use it. I leave in Flatbush area of Brooklyn, NY. -Ed I will call you with suggestions. Brooklyn, NY It is so sad that there is so much violence. I wish that there was none. You have a good thing started here. Desoto, WI USA I think that this is a wonderful idea. I would lke to get my Hebrew School involved in these projects. Please advise. Huntington, NY May HaShem protect you and give you His peace daily! Northridge, CA brooklyn, ny usa Jews were the 'chosen people' to show by example how man should live one's life. I applaud this wonderful idea of showing the kindness of the Jews who value life as opposed to other religions who feel that it is right to kill and be killed in the name of religion. Let us show the world what the true Jewish spirit and beliefs are about. London, England, United Kingdom VERY INTERESTING San Diego, Ca. I wish to help promote this website. Kent, WA Do you or could you archive the daily doses of kindness? Ed. The archive for A Daily Dose of Kindness e-mails is located at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aDailyDose The archive for Kind Words e-mails is located at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PartnersInKindness New York, NY usa Your heart and soul will be blessed for sharing the wisdom in the readings. West Hills, CA I think that this project is an amazing idea. I was a student of your first wife of blessed memory at HALB. I think that this project is a true aliyah, merit for her nishama, soul. She was not only an amazing teacher, but a truly amazing person as well. I feel very fortunate to have been her student. Thank you so much for stating such a campaign in her memory. Far Rockaway, NY Perhaps the greatest of the many powerful gifts this website bestows is the picture of Shoshana's life, lived in perfect faith that every obstacle is an essential gift. What power for healing is there! Acts of kindness are not 'extra', but necessary for human life to continue. They work on the doer from the outside in. Perhaps when you have the time you could turn your gift for scholarship and writing toward what the tradition offers in terms of preparing from the inside out...dan l'kaf z'chut, shmirat halashon...Good deeds can be done for appearance's sake or to satisfy ego needs unless we allow them to transform our hearts and minds. In closing: through your websites I believe that you have transformed a crushing obstacle into an unimaginably valuable gift for an unimaginably large group of people, including those of us who see the sites, those who act upon your challenge to do chesed, and the entire world, which benefits. A tremendous tikkun! Baltimore, Maryland Great website! Far Rockaway, NY Good work gary, in I've been getting the emails on both lists for quite a while now. Tizke L'mitzvos! (Registering because I'd like to print the last article to post on my desk at work.) Brooklyn, NY I think I need to sign up to a website that gives out a "daily dose of kindness". I myself have lost an 11 yr old boy by death 12 yrs ago and, 8 yrs ago, gave birth to a seriously autistic son. Right now my husband and I are being emotionally attacked by a vindictive ex-wife and a ungrateful and also vengeful son of his that has poisoned his daughters against me and him, after many years of not being able to see his daughters by his ex-wife. He was getting to know his daughters again until his son moved back in with mom, and his girls are 14 and 11 and whatever relationship that he has made with his girls is being destroyed by his vengeful son. His ex-wife destroyed him in the divorce and ruined his career in education, so now my husband is going back for his 2nd Master's degree to rebuild his life.It is hard to be kind to his ex and his son. He is trying to keep us away from the girls and the girls are SO confused as to who is right and who is wrong, with all the propaganda and lies fed them. Also it saddens me to see my husband hurting like this while trying to maintain his grade point average and working 2 jobs,(hopefully not for long), for this is a very hard town to make a living. He moved here to be closer to his children. Only G-d knows why we have been given this path in life to follow. So a "daily dose of kindness" in my emailbox will help me and my husband very much. Flagstaff, AZ Just want to thank you. I'm going through a very difficult time these days and your daily email gets me through. Nocity, Nostate Nocountry best wishes teaneck, nj The movie "Pay it Forward" tells this story ,too. To be a Jew it is incumbent upon us all to do random acts of kindness. I applaud your beautiful organization. Thank you. Delray Beach, Fl Tamarac, FL No, I don't have a particular story, although I have performed acts of kindness in my life. I don't think it is generous to remember them. The important thing is to keep on doing them. I commend you on your resolve not to become embittered by the loss of your wife, and to have formed this group, Tradition of Kindness. I know kindness works, and the effort is never in vain, even if it doesn't. G-d bless you in your enterprise. Kissimmee, Fl I think its good! Simferopol, Crimea Ukraine accept BROOKLYN, N.Y. Best Wishes Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu INDIA I want to compliment your 'web site' but words just seem woefully inadequate in light of your personal experience... My husband was niftar 6 years ago after being ill, he was 38. On the subject of Chessed and compassion, I realized that my kids deserved it not only from others but from ME as well. Just as the 'community' was supposed to be extra sensitive to us now, I was just as obligated to be sensitive to my kids! I've used this as a tool to overcome the exhaustion, frustration, and loneliness of single parenting. I think it's a great technique for Midos refinement. And when it is especially tough to acquiece to a request of theirs I often will say: "Yes honey I'll help you with....as a Chessed." Let them see 'Chessed work' in action. Let them feel the compassion. Let them see I'm going 'beyond myself'. And I perform the task with true joy and purpose! I have been active for 30 years doing 'Chessed' work in the Jewish community (A/K/A being on the giving end). But having experienced illness, crises, loss, widowhood and coping alone, I now have gained an invaluable perspective in the Chessed equation (A/K/A being on the receiving end). By the way when asked what I do, I say: "I work with my family." I don't mean a family business (as some people assume). I mean that my family is my new Chessed project. The real reason I've responded to your web site is because I just wanted to reach out. EVERYONE I knew, felt tza'ar along with you, although I didn't plan to say so at the outset... And I guess I can relate to your macro view of life, which is inspiring. May you be matzliach in bringing us closer to Biyas Goel Mashiach. New York, NY Your essay on your wife is beautiful. I am so sorry for your loss, apparently G-d needed your wife to countinue her "goodness" elsewhere. Your essay reminds me to be a better Jew. Thank you St. Louis, MO Blessings to all who are involved with the 'A Tradition Of Kindness' Organization. Toronto, Ontario Canada i would love to know more about openning an e-gemach. gan yavne, israel none Monee, IL United States I'm a shalich voluteer of the jewish agency in wroclaw-poland with my wife wroclaw, poland No comment Los Angeles, Ca How right you are to encourage acts of kindness. In this way the spirit of kindness will spread and the world WILL be changed. And we don't HAVE to be Jewish to be kind, either - anyone can do it! (I'm a Christian but very excited and proud to learn recently that I have Jewish blood in my veins, as my great-grandmother was a Jewess.) It is part of God-in-us to be kind to others. A little act of selfless love brightens the day for both giver and recipient. God bless you in your work, its great! Rochester, Kent United Kingdom I think it is WONDERFUL what you are doing - Chessed is the key - and achdus through doing chessed is the master key. I wondered if you have heard of the Institute for Heart Math - they have done all sorts research about how we come to feel good and actually become healthier through doing kindnesses. (www.heartmath.org) Keep up your good work! Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel Singapore, Singapore It is a very beautiful and important idea. Bless you for picking yourself after such a terrible tragedy and thinking of others, rather than wallowing in self pity Dallas, Texas A beautiful idea that can really give a lot of chizuk to others! Yasher Koach! Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel maybe you could have a very simple idea list like gift ideas ect you're what i did kind list is a little to daunting for little things (Answer: Our e-mails give the readers ideas of acts of kindness that they can do. Some are very simple. Others are more involved. Our website highlights the details of special kindness mitzvahs. ed.) ..., MD New York, New York Kol hakavod! Mendota Heights, MN My Mom sent me one page from the Jewish Voice newspaper with a recipe. Your article was on the other side. I applaude your efforts and look forward to visitng your site! State College, PA I belong to a Synagogue in Newark, New Jersey. It is very close to downtown Newark, which is, as you may know, what is considered an "Inner City", in other words, largely populated by African-Americans. This synagogue is a treasure in NJ and fighting hard to stay in existance. It is the only "living" synagogue left in Newark. A few of it's members is dedicated to the concept of "tikun olam" in general, and to making a working connection with the people who live in Newark. So, here's my idea. Perhaps it could be arranged that you come to speak at the synagogue, which by the way is called Ahavas Sholom (it has a websight)and the synagogue members arrange that the audience be a mix of synagogue members and community members. I can't think of a better audience of potential allys, but often opponents, to speak to about Kindness. Perhaps the result of the lecture could be some sort of program hosted by the two groups. I will fowrard this idea onto the man who is the most interested in this type of project. PS. My husband is an Israeli, by the way and thus our family is deeply connected to Israel and the well being of its citizens (Jewish and Muslim alike). (Answer: let's do it!) Parsippany, NJ I enjoyed this site and will continue to read it. I am forwarding this to some friends. Cherry Hill, NJ I truly enjoyed the talk last night! Farmington, Ct This is a most inspiring site and I'm glad I found it. I will pass it on to a friend at Neot Mordachai? in Upper Gallilee. I am a Sabbath keeping (Saturday) Christian and have kept the Feast of Tabernacles several times in Israel and indeed my honeymoon. Keep up the good work Alexandria, Dunbartonshire Scotland, UK Under links, you show http://www.ohr.org.il/ for Ohr Sameach. Their web address is www.ohr.edu The old address will still take you there, but who knows for how long. Kiryat Yearim, D.N. Harei Yehuda Israel G-D less you and yours!!!! SHALOM West Palm Beach, Florida I would like to know how can I help someone. Do you have an office in Miami? Miami Beach, Fl USA very nice far rockaway, new york i'm looking forward to hearing Mr. Greenbaum at our shul's luncheon. it would be nice to have a special site or email for kids. university heights, OH The stories are inspirational and I would like to share them with the teachers in my Religious School here at Temple Emanuel. I would encourage the teachers and others in the congregation to attend the presentation when you come to St. Louis in June. St. Louis, MO I love reading about the acts of kindness. They are very inspirational and really encourage me to think of more ways to be kind and to always be on the lookout for a mitzvah opportunity. I hope you will make the link to the kindness examples more visible on your website. I only found it after I had submitted a story. I couldn't find it on your homepage, which is a shame. Chesterfield, MO You are an insperation. May Hashem give you strenghth to continue this project. HaNof, Israel your idea is really great and i like to be part of it too. please send me details. thanks. valley village, California Very thoughtful website New York, NY US As a mother whose youngest child was killed on 9/11 I feel (strongly) that through acts of terrorism will come acts of kindness. As these acts of kindness grow hopefully peace will follow. When will the world heed these wake-up calls? Coral Springs, Florida I don't care for religion at all. I simply believe in GOD and Oneness, which means, we are all the same. I thank you so much for this wonderful website and I admire the way you handle your wife's death! It shows perfectly who you are and where you come from. You are part of God, who is pure love. We all are! God bless you. Worms, Germany m very glad to find it. m new to it and yet to learn more....pray everyone on earth can find this wonderful wesite! bhutan, bhutan bhutan oceanside, n.y. I was wondering why you didn't speak very much, if anything, about your wife tonight, but now that I have read your essay about her on the website, I understand a little better, and appreciate a little more, why you are involved in this endeavor. I will try my best to help. Flushing, NY i WOULD LIKE TO GET YOUR E-MAIL KINDNESS DAILY St. Louis, Mo. I hope to be your long Partner for good development. Kampala, Northern Uganda I would be very interested in working in or helping establish an e-gmach. Please contact me as to what I can do or if no one is working on one yet let me know and maybe I can work on doing it. Brooklyn, New York USA I am looking for a money gemach to start a small grocery business with my husband. Brooklym, NY This sounds like an inspiring undertaking. Philadelphia, PA dont worrie b happy lehavim, israel It's a wonderful thing to be kind to people. Miami, Florida I am looking forward to receiving the weekly inspiration. Mount Shasta, CA Thanks for your site. Woodstock, NY In addition to the wonderful work that you do, please know that Shoshana's work continues through the Ner Shoshana program at Bais Yaakov in Los Angeles. The girls who observe and assist the Ner Shoshana girls benefit immensely from this program, perhaps even more than the Ner Shoshana girls themselves. May this wonderful program continue to be a blessing for Shoshana's memory and for Mr. Greenbaum and his family for many years. May you continue to go from strength to strength; bracha and hatzlacha for all your endeavors. Valley Village, CA This is a fantastic idea, and inspiring! I have a similar project called the "Better World Project" -- every day I take action to make the world a better place, and educate others on how they can do the same. Feel free to check out the project website: http://www.betterworldproject.org I hope that projects like this one and mine inspire others to do more good in the world! Washington, DC I would like to join her newsletter and have my story circulated. I would love to get more donations. It keeps this program running. I accept slightly used and new teddy bears and all stuffed animals, particularly beanie baby size. Bergenfield, NJ I love receiving your daily newsletter. For me this replaces reading the biased, slanted "news" of the day. Some of the stories are so touching. Thank you for making this possible. Baltimore, MD I like this idea. "Pay it Forward" is very much a Jewish concept. I'm the wife of a Rabbi and run into jaded and cynical people all the time who express to me that they can't imagine being saddled with the title of Rebbitzin. I smile and tell them that I don't call myself Rebbitzin. What then? I'm my husband's Ambassador of Peace and Loving Kindness. Wouldn't everyone like to have one of those? Jerusalem, Israel looks great. great idea! May you be blessed! You are surely bringing us closer to moshiach's arrival. Petach Tikva, Israel what a wonderful idea, I'd be thrilled to see your emails. Jerusalem, Israel Edith Cavell, who was executed in the First World War by the Germanson the false accusation of being a British spy in Belgium said (alleged last words) "patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone" raanana, Israel Doing acts of kindness becomes a way of life - Judaism demands that of us on a daily basis. Best wishes in this endeavor. Nashville, TN Have just started to read A Tradition of Kindness. I think I also read an article about you in the Post, was it also March 17th? Herzliya, Israel I applaud you for your positive attitude and wonderful work on promoting acts of kindness; this is what Jews should do, as part of our work on 'Tikkun Olam' Denver, Colorado Pls send weekly. Ed. - See our Partners In Kindness website. Leesburg, Fl Thanks Columbus, ohio it is a feel good sight West Hempstead, New York I am a jewish religious school teacher. my first 6 week theme is acts of loving kindness. Henryville, Pa United States B"H - May HaShem bless you for all your loving acts, and may HaShem bless the momory of Shoshana zl. I got an email with the story of the Chassidic landlord and his bottle for Sarah on Purim; with no further thaught, I translated it and send it to family and friends in Colombia, Venezuela, USA, Israel... AND TO YOU TOO! Did not want to do "Genevat Daat" so I copied your web address on it. I have been reading your writtings for hours... Soon will be midnight and I haven't done all the things I should have done this evening but, never mind, I have been out of this dark world, flying on a cloud of Chessed and Hajavat le Chamoja.... THANK YOU! I sent the links for jobs for two families!!! And suggested the Heroes link to friends in need. What an incredible day! Shalom u'Brajah. PURIM SAMEAJ Madrid, Spain your site is very useful. Boston, MA United States I recently created www.yourunfinishedlife.com, an online book showing kindness as a principal road to personal happiness and growth. I hope that perhaps you may find it of interest in spreading our common message. Barrington, NJ was looking for a picture to send a granddaughter in Eretz and found you link. Hatzlacha Rabba B'col Ma'ase Yodecha boston, ma Thank you very much. New York, NY wow. i always wanted something like this website.thanks to you and your wifffe,shoshana, may her memory be blessed. todah clifton, New Jersey Please have the friend of the Ethiopians in Mevaserret Zion, read Paul Fleishman's book called Seedfolks. Superb. Same idea, but about a self started community garden in Cleveland. Read it with my daughter's 5th grade Book Club. Superb. You and the book are inspiring. Jerusalem, Israel I am reading a wonderful book on chesed linked to each parasha, this has become very meaningfull to me It is important to know that everyone can and aught to do some kind of chesed each day, all acts of chesed are important. Oslo, Norway I signed up for your "daily" dose of kindness. monsey, ny Thanks. Raleigh, NC United States Thank you so much for the ongoing words of inspiration and encouragement to do acts of kindness! May your wife's memory be for a blessing. New Rochelle, New York Enormously and deeply touched, but more importantly, inspired to respond here, now. Have received email urging me to respond on many levels, however until this particular site reached me, I rarely have been motivated enough. Grateful, especially for Shmuel Greenbaum's letter which I read just now, and followed my sense to see more about what's possible, with simple, honest acts of kindness. Perhaps today I am particularly open and available for kindness, having heard several tragic accounts from friends, one dear friend's sister is missing. Feel this sense of "I have no choice, cannot afford not to act. Now." And not knowing what 'to do'. So, began reading email backed up in my compu inbox. And found this letter. so thanks. And so much more comes to light as I tune in to this site. About jobs. Helping friends to find work. Decent work that they will find fun and fulfilling. Beginning and ending here. ...in gratitude Barbara Vancouver, B.C., Canada Wonderful website! Studio City, California interesting site Edgware, United Kingdom this a wonderful cause givat shmuel, israel 'Chessed Dollars' To involve teens in chessed, build a more closely-knit community, and provide needed help for those in need. Today's teens are in danger of 'dropping out' of our traditional society; they have 'nothing to do', 'no one to talk to', and 'no money'. A barter system in which chessed is exchanged for 'money' which can be used in local stores, and at a local teen center with activites like pool, music lessons, etc,. would be a wonderful way to nourish teens in multiple ways and provide support to struggling memebers of the community in need of help. (babysitting, light housekeeping, shlepping, painting, etc.) Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel I get the Daily Dose of Kindness each morning and I was wondering if there was an interest in creating a group on Facebook with the daily emails. I would be able to create the group if wanted. Thanks, Teaneck, NJ