By MARSHA S. ANDER
The answer can only be measured in compassion, extraordinary happiness and a life lesson for local children that can-t be taught on a blackboard.
Hebrew School students at Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere have been working to raise money to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for 17 children stricken with terminal cancer.
Set to arrive from Israel on March 18, the children are part of Osim Chaim, an Israeli program that helps sick children and their families "realize their dream of vacation in the United States," according to its founder Benny Cohen, who resides in Israel.
Accompanying the children on their 10-day visit will be doctors, nurses and care-givers that will either carry special equipment or make arrangements with medical facilities along the travel route. On both sides of the globe, participants hope the trip will bring medical miracles in the form of hope and motivation for the visiting children and their families.
The Five Towns- students will be meeting the Israeli children on Sunday, March 23 at Dave and Busters in Westbury for a day of fun. Since this program isn-t funded by any governmental agency, they rely strictly on donations once they arrive in the United States.
That's why students have sold handmade bracelets, hosted bake sales and this Sunday morning will be having a rummage sale inside the temple. Their teacher, Mindy Bekritsky, said that they are eager to add to the $500 that they have already raised in order to host a memorable day for their guests.
"We are trying to teach them that you come into this world and your job is to make it a better place. I want our children to make them [Israeli children] feel like they are not alone," said Bekritsky, who lives in West Hempstead and has been a teacher in the Hebrew school for six years.
She has termed the project the "unbirthday birthday." Based on the Alice in Wonderland book. In the story, said Bekritsky, everyone got presents but it wasn't anyone-s actual birthday.
Besides the actual presents that the Israeli children will be given, she is hoping to give her students the gift of empathy. "I want my kids to learn kindness," Bekritsky said, who wants to instill in her students that being Jewish is more than a religion. "Here religion is not just being Jewish, it-s a living, breathing thing. It-s a way of life. It-s about kindness and being part of the world."
Her co-teacher, Chana Ramon, who has been with the Hebrew school for 15 years, became the catalyst for the program purly by accident. "I was coming back from Kennedy airport in a taxi and there was an Israeli newspaper on the dashboard," said Ramon, who was born in Israel.
Once she began to chat with the driver she was introduced to Cohen, who was sitting next to the driver. "Maybe you might help," Ramon recalled he asked, regarding his organization.
After bringing Osim Chaim's literature to Bekritsky and their class, the group decided it was a cause they were passionate about. They sprung into action.
Bekritsky said that her students are busy preparing for their garage sale on Sunday which will be held inside the synagogue.
"God created everyone the same on the inside and the outside is gift-wrap," said Bekritsky, who couldn't be prouder of the many intangible gifts that her students are displaying.
Photos by Marsha Ander/Herald
