Become a Friend of The CAJM

Mitzvah Squad

 

Why We Must Care—by Elaine Scheye

After traveling to Cuba a few years ago, I continued to keep track of the Jewish community through various websites. One day, while clicking around on the Internet, I found The Cuba-America Jewish Mission and a program called Bottoms Up. It was there, that I, a single woman working in healthcare, found my four godchildren. My first one, Adriana, looked just like me when I was a tiny child and her birthday is near that of my beloved Mother, of Blessed Memory. So excitedly, I called to pronounce that Adriana was mine and mine alone. Thus began what is now into its 5th year of a relationship that continues to evolve. I help both Adriana and her sister, MY SECOND GODCHILD, with their homework via the Internet. Their mother facilitates. I send clothes and books and in return, I am overjoyed when I receive pictures of mi dos princesas, my two princesses, wearing clothes and reading the books I send. Their mother emails the messages the kids send me. I recently returned from Cuba where I attended the Bat Mitzvah of the oldest of mi dos princesas, in this case, Princesa Ely, sister of Adri. My other two kids are princes, one of which is autistic and whose special needs are costly. As American Jews, we take for granted that all our kids will have shoes. In Cuba, even though they have some money, they often can’t find shoes in the sizes they need to meet the needs of growing children. If you want to do a Mitzvah where real children benefit directly and immediately from your donations, GIVE to the Bottoms Up Program and other programs administered by The Cuba-America Jewish Mission. Trust me, you will have satisfaction unlike anything you have ever known in your lifetime. These programs are not abstractions. This organization is wonderful about making sure that your financial donations and clothing and books get directly to the families, and in short order. And, your donations are all income tax deductible! If anyone wishes to contact me, please contact June Safran, executive director, who will be happy to provide you with my information. Elaine