Mitzvah Day Reflections: Ken Meyer

Ken Meyer (empty nester):

My overall feeling of Mitzvah Day was that the entire synagogue space was filled with an amazing energy and enthusiasm. Not only the young volunteers but everyone there of all ages were excited to be helping these children who will be removed from their homes to go into the safety of foster care. I was happy to donate the journal books that were given out, but the true joy came in putting the backpacks together. It was fun to go from station to station picking out items that a young person would like to have or need to have. Since I have two grown sons, I went back in time and prepared a comfort bag for a boy (between 14-17 years old) and then a younger boy (between 11-13 years old). When it came time to artistically personalize a pillowcase to put in the comfort bag, I opted to write words of encouragement instead. I left that Mitzvah Day with a deep sense of community and proud to be part of Or Ami’s caring community.

ANNUALLY, AT CONGREGATION OR AMI (CALABASAS, CA), WE ASSEMBLE 400+ COMFORT DUFFLE BAGS FOR KIDS GOING INTO EMERGENCY FOSTER CARE. WHEN THE WORLD FEELS MOST SCARY FOR THEM, WE PROVIDE THEM WITH TOYS, GAMES, BOOKS, TOILETRIES, CLOTHING, A NIGHTLIGHT, A BLANKET AND MORE. EACH BAG INCLUDES AN INDIVIDUALIZED, ARTISTICALLY-DRAWN WITH A CARING SWEET DREAMS MESSAGE. THIS MITZVAH DAY NOVEMBER (WE RUN 2 OTHER MITZVAH DAYS) BRING HUNDREDS OF JEWISH FAMILIES TOGETHER FOR MEANINGFUL SOCIAL JUSTICE WORK. BE INSPIRED HERE.