Caring Globally -> Connecting Locally   If we were superheros and had a limitless amount of time and resources, we could devote full attention to a myriad of worthy issues and causes in our world. But as we are only humans, we make choices. We set priorities. We juggle our attention and our resources.    When a disaster strikes, we are mobilized. We are excellent responders; but can we be passionate initiators? We feel satisfied knowing that we can help in an emergency; yet there can also be great satisfaction gained from connecting with people in our own communities who need our help.     This issue of our newsletter is devoted to current events and issues that have captured our hearts and boosted our passion for local community involvement. We hope they'll inspire you, too. Choose to engage and initiate - even if it's the smallest act of chesed, of kindness. All that we do in the name of tikkun olam - improving the world - makes a huge difference. These are the important daily values we can pass on to our children.   -Michele Lifshen Reing   Founder & President   Giving Arts | The Creative Judaica Kit Company

The Jena 6 - Speak out against injustice, prejudice and racial inequality in Jena, Louisiana    Today, September 20, and every day.   Our government, our communities, our media, our schools and our children need to hear our voices in protest of a community and a high school that, in 2007, condones "whites-only" places to sit and the unspeakable lynching threats made by white students toward their fellow black classmates. When six black students fought back against mounting racial slurs, they were arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder. This is happening in our time.   Sign the petition at Color of Change.   Attend a local peace rally in your neighborhood.   Most of all, be aware, try to build bridges and heal inequities in your community. More than ever, let's teach our children equality, empathy, social justice and giving and work to eliminate prejudice and injustice and hate.    Sunday, September 23, 2007   A Hands-On Event for Community Service    JCC on the Palisades  Tenafly, NJ    This Sunday, we are joining with Areyvut, who has organized a fabulous Community Service and Mitzvah Expo.    Explore how your family can give, impact your community and make a difference in the world. Make a creative tzedaka box with Giving Arts, write letters to Congressional representatives in support of important causes and meet with representatives from 25 organizations, who will introduce students and parents to an exciting variety of tzedakah and mitzvah opportunities.   This is an especially valuable opportunity for students looking for Bat/Bar Mitzvah projects or meaningful ways to fulfill a community service obligation for their school. Students will learn about leadership, philanthropy, Jewish values and the rewards that come from giving by participating in hands on projects designed to help them identify mitzvah projects that they can feel passionate about.  Free and Open to the Community. More info Finishing God's work: The Surprise Mission of United Jewish Communities (UJC)   Yesterday I visited the Wellness, Arts, and Enrichment Center of JSDD (The Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled), one of 18 partner agencies of United Jewish Communities in MetroWest NJ. As I sat in the meditation circle, it was clear that UJC dollars were helping a very special alternative learning center to exist and make an enormous life-change for so many disabled teens and adults.   "Creativity is a fragile thing," said WAE program director, Marilynn Schneider. "We consider each person here as an individual and work with their innate abilities. And perhaps for the first time, they discover the concept personal choice."    Ms. Schneider, along with a cadre of talented and extraordinarily patient artists and mind/body experts, run a weekly program of enrichment for disabled people who live at home or in facilitated group homes. The residential and cultural programs receive funding directly through annual UJC campaigns.   This is just one example of the community building and community enrichment work that UJC supports. Find out more about UJC in your community and how you can volunteer and make a donation to help fund the important work that makes such a difference for so many lives.   More info about WAE and JSDD.   Read more about UJC and locate your local UJC/Federation.   Visit UJC MetroWest for more info about Northern NJ community involvement.   Helping you Connect...   We are passionate about creative philanthropy.   Our hands-on tzedaka/charity boxes and giving stickers are an excellent way to re-inforce the values of social action and giving in a fun, creative way.    We make both Jewish and secular kits.    Individual kits are a great retail product for families to purchase for gifts, home craft projects and enrichment activities.    Bulk kits can be used in schools, houses of worship, camps, family programing, interfaith projects, afterschool clubs and activity centers and more.   Planning a birthday party, bar/bat mitzvah or event? Add meaning - simcha v'chesed - with our tzedaka/charity boxes.  They make excellent party favors, party activities and centerpieces - decorated to suit any theme and raise awareness for any cause!   We offer creative workshops for children using our products and also will design customized projects to suit your needs. We are also developing creative workshops for women's groups including memory/scrapbooking; creative bookmaking; bead therapy; friendship tiles and more.    View our product line.    Contact us for more information.    We can help you with your project!

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