Education Director – September 2007 Bulletin Message

The Hebrew word firgoon is a term for which there is no English equivalent. The genesis of this word is from Yiddish, and it is used on and almost daily basis by Israelis and other Hebrew speakers around the world. The word describes a pure action of sincere gratitude and thankfulness without jealousy or hypocrisy. It is also used to express a direct and genuine praise of one’s actions and/or achievements. Unfortunately, although Israelis use this word frequently, most of the time it is used when one is protesting the lack of firgoon in Israeli mentality and culture.

This summer I went to visit my family and friends in Israel. I also met with representatives from The Jaffah Institute and Wings of Happiness – two of the five organizations that our Hebrew school students contributed their tzedakah money to. I had the option to mail them the checks but I opted to hand-deliver them and I am glad that I did so. Their gratitude and firgoon were beyond my expectations. After they had presented their respective organization’s philosophy and achievements, they outlined their plans for using the tzedakah money raised by our students. The money will go directly to programs that work to help Israeli children. One organization supports children who live in poor environments and don’t have food to eat or other basic essential needs met. The other organization runs a special youth movement for children with mental and physically disabilities.

Being generous and supportive is an important core Jewish value. On September 1 we will read the Torah portion of “Ki-Tavo”. Moses stands in front of B’nei Israel right before their conquest of Eretz Canaan, and he preaches the word of God and commands the Jewish people to give 10% of their crops to the orphans and the widows. We too are obligated to change the lives of those less fortunate who need not only our financial backing but also emotional support. Our Hebrew school families and many other congregants helped our school to fulfill this Mitzvah.

Last school year our students raised enough money to purchase 400 trees that were planted in the north of Israel. Throughout the school year, Beth El Hebrew School students donated $1,149 as part of our tzedakah collection project. We contributed the money to five different non-profit organizations. I would like to express the firgoon sent from the young and ambitious volunteers with whom I met in Israel this summer. I would also like to express my own firgoon to all of you who have helped our school take a step in working to change the lives of those less fortunate than us.

I wish you a Shanah Tova blessed with peace, health and happiness.Eran Vaisben