The Mausner Women’s Fashion Chain, in cooperation with “Meir Panim”, conducted a clothing donation campaign for needy families throughout the month of June. In the framework of the campaign, which was conducted in the chain’s ten branches, the customers were encouraged to bring to the stores articles of the clothing which they no longer want. In exchange for each item of clothing donated, the customer received a 25 NIS discount on clothing from the chain’s summer collection. In addition, for each clothing item donated, Mausner donated an addition article of clothing. The collected clothing will be transferred to “Meir Panim” which will distribute them to needy women.

“No woman isn’t grateful for the opportunity to renew her wardrobe each summer,” says the chain’s owner, Shuky Mausner. “We are glad to enable our customers to do this and to help replenish the wardrobe of less fortunate women as well. The Mausner Fashion Chain promotes and will continue to promote the welfare of women across the social stratum.

”Throughout the campaign, hundreds of quality clothing items in excellent condition were collected. The clothing was sorted by volunteers and will be distributed to women who are unable to purchase new clothing.

When James & Wendy Abrams invited their guests to David’s Bar Mitzvah, they included a message asking people to direct their gifts to Meir Panim (instead of the Bar Mitzvah boy) to help feed hungry people in Israel. The response was phenomenal. (Over $20,000 came in for the cause!).

The Abrams clan became part of the extended Meir Panim family back in December, when they visited Meir Panim in Jerusalem on a family Bar/Bat Mitzvah mission trip in honor of a triple simcha in the family. The entire family including the children rolled up their sleeves and helped prepare and serve meals for the diners at the Meir Panim restaurant. Everyone was extraordinarily moved and touched by the experience.

We are extremely grateful to the Abrams family for sharing Meir Panim's message, educating others about our important mission, and encouraging involvement in the cause. It is people like the Abrams family, being true role models in the wonderful realm of charity and loving-kindness, who ensure the continuity of our tradition and heritage.

Thousands of members of the Bnei Akiva youth movement set out last Sunday, 15 Sivan (June 11, 2006) on an extensive fundraising campaign throughout Israel on behalf of the children's meals that the Meir Panim organization provides to thousands of children each day.

The Meir Panim organization provides each day over ten thousand hot lunches for needy children, for most of whom this is the only meal received during the day.

The range of poverty-stricken families in Israel continues to expand each day, and includes many children. These families face hardship in many different areas, and many have difficulty functioning at the most basic levels and are thus unable to live at even a minimal standard of living. Unfortunately, the governmental welfare system does not provide an adequate response to this problem, and thus many families in crisis are left without any solution.

The Meir Panim organization provides lunches and suppers also to afternoon clubs, which in many cases provide the children with "spiritual nourishment," as well, including help with homework and a wide range of activities.

The Bnei Akiva movement has joined Meir Panim's effort and enlisted, virtually in its entirety, to help eliminate the hunger that still exists in certain parts of the Israeli population.

This project is but one part of a wide gamut of programs on behalf of the community drawn up by Meir Panim Chairman Dudi Zilbershlag with Bnei Akiva Director-General Eitan Mor Yosef.

A special workshop in furniture renovation was set up in the Meir Panim-Power of Giving branch in Petach Tikva, whose staff consists entirely of mentally ill patients.

The primary purpose of the workshop, which was set up in cooperation with the Shikum Acher organization, is to assist in the rehabilitation process of the mentally ill, using a most unique means of rehabilitation - furniture renovation - while taking into account the special needs, capabilities, talents and ambitions of each participant. The participants are involved in the ongoing operation and management of the site.

The field of furniture renovation, by nature, involves several other areas, as well, and thus the program's participants will be receiving exposure to other areas of interest and occupation, as well. For example, the renovation work entails a process of decision-making, starting with identifying the furniture's potential (how and where it was manufactured, what its value is, etc.), and continuing with the renovation planning (whether to repair the existing piece or make significant changes; whether to reupholster, repaint, etc.), and the decisions concerning style (whether it requires artistic decoration, which colors to use, etc.). In order to make these decisions, participants in the rehabilitation program require the help of not only a professional guide and their fellow participants, but also professional literature on the subject, exhibits, shops, and so on. And thus, over the course of their work in renovating a piece of furniture, the participant will be exposed to a vast world of occupations and other areas of interest, which could likely pave the way for many new opportunities.

The Shikum Acher organization was established in 2004 and works in cooperation with Meir Panim-Power of Giving, in the belief in the immense benefits of cooperation between the two organizations based on the values of giving, contribution, and volunteerism.

In the framework of this cooperation, the Shikum Acher organization is given access to an activity center within the premises of Meir Panim-Power of Giving.

In addition, Meir Panim-Power of Giving will provide the Shikum Acher organization furniture for renovation from the wide range of furniture that it collects. Some of this furniture will, after its renovation, return to Meir Panim-Power of Giving for distribution to the needy families whom it supports.

The renovated furniture will be displayed at the Meir Panim-Power of Giving center at 5 Shimshon St. in Petach Tikva.

"Click-Art – Community" is the name of a group of friends with a background in professional photography and a strong desire to volunteer and contribute on behalf of the community. Its members volunteer and give of their time, energy, talents and equipment in their possession towards community projects that correspond to their objectives. In their work, they develop the use of photography as a means through which they can volunteer to benefit the community.

Last year, the members of "Click-Art" joined with Meir Panim and photographed the Purim celebration the organization held for soldiers without family in Israel. More recently, they photographed a joint Bar-Mitzva celebration held for Belgian children and Israeli children from Kiryat Malachi.

As an entity comprised solely of volunteer photographers, they run various projects that indirectly reflect part of their goal: specific projects such as photographing a fundraising event for a pediatric oncology unit of a hospital, photographing a party for soldiers without family in Israel, photographing and producing an album of a Bat-Mitzva celebration held for girls from crisis-ridden homes, as well as long-term projects, such as exhibits aimed at raising social awareness of currently relevant issues, or projects involving ongoing photographic accompaniment of a specific, predefined population.

The forum's homepage tells of these activities in much greater detail, and also allows visitors to listen to the interview broadcast on Israel Radio presenting a brief overview of the organization's work: http://www.clickart.co.il

Each and every week, without exception, for many weeks now, a large container of fruits and vegetables arrives at the Meir Panim restaurant in Or Akiva, donated by Eitan and Itzik Ashuri. These two residents of Moshav Tzerufa chose the path of chesed (kindness) as a way of life, and are involved in a range of activities to help needy families in the area. They got together with Ilanit Chafuta, manager of the Meir Panim restaurant in Or Akiva, and together they invest a good deal of their time toward "shining the faces" of needy families.

In the Moshav where they live, Eitan and Itzik Ashuri run a large warehouse to collect donations of new clothes and toys, and each month they bring the collected items to the Meir Panim branch in Or Yehuda. They intensified their work in the weeks before Pesach, and managed to triple the amount they normally receive.

Keep up the good work!

On Sunday, April 30th, an exciting and festive event took place in Kiryat Malachi: a joint Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration for the students of the “Netsach Yisrael” school in Kiryat Malachi and the “Tachkemoni” school of Antwerp, Belgium.

The event was the culmination of a program initiated by Meir Panim, which works to alleviate the dire situation of many of Kiryat Malachi’s needy citizens and also seeks to educate the youth in Israel and abroad towards solidarity and social responsibility. Meir Panim therefore made the connection between the two schools.

The school principals, Mrs. Ayala Hagage, Mrs. Gladys Lehrer and Rav Amir Edre’i, decided to teach identical subjects towards the students’ Bar/Bat Mitzvot. The chosen subject was characteristics of Jewish communities in Israel and abroad.
During the course of the program, the schools were in touch via online hook-up and personal correspondence. Every student was allocated a “partner” overseas. This created a strong bond between the students in Israel and their friends across the ocean.

The children discovered the similarities and the differences between their communities. They researched the Jewish Ethiopian community in Israel (which many of the children in Kiryat Malachi affiliate with) as well as the European Jewish community and its efforts to reestablish itself in the aftermath of World War II.

The highlight of the program was the celebration upon the Belgian students’ arrival in Israel.

The 48 students from Belgium kicked off the exciting day by volunteering at Meir Panim’s restaurant and kitchen in the city. Some students peeled vegetables, cut them, and sorted various items in the kitchen, while others helped Meir Panim’s regular volunteers prepare 2,300 meals for schoolchildren in the area. The staff was very impressed by the young Belgians’ skills and efficiency.

Upon arrival at “Netsach Yisrael,” the students were welcomed with warmth and ceremony by their friends. Together they participated in the exciting activities which had been prepared for them. These activities took many forms: Ethiopian mothers came to braid the Belgian children’s hair in traditional Ethiopian style; a different activity station offered ethnic dance (including garb and drums); one room was operated by Rav Amir, principal of Tachkemoni, where children of both groups came and talked about their lives in Israel and Belgium, while the Belgians taught the Israelis a smattering of French.. In order to commemorate this superb event, a fantastic group of professional photographers form “Clic Art” volunteered a day’s work to photograph each pair of students. At the day’s end, each child was presented with a beautiful, framed picture.

Before leaving the school’s premises, Rav Amir took out his guitar and sang songs of Eretz Yisrael with the children and the others present.
At the end of this exciting - but tiring - day, the students were in for yet another surprise…
Upon entering Meir Panim’s restaurant, the students couldn’t believe their eyes - for there they were treated to a lavish meal, truly fit for kings.
The children happily sat down to the festive meal, which was enhanced by beautiful song and dance from Netsach Yisrael’s artistic department.
At the closing of the event, Mr. Moshe Lefkowits, General Director of Meir Panim, warmly addressed the children and wished them only good, happy days. He expressed how seeing so many children from various backgrounds sitting side by side reminded him of the beauty of “Hineh ma tov umah na’im shevet achim gam yachad” (Behold, what is good and pleasant as brothers sitting together). Mrs. Ayala Hagage thanked all those who were involved in this one-of-a-kind project. The children were also greeted by the school’s educational supervisor.

We are certain that this event will only serve as a bridge between Jews in Israel and their brothers and sisters abroad.

The children of the early childhood of Barkai Yeshivah made bracelets out of many different beads including “faces” (Panim). They were sold to the children and parents to help supply meals to the needy in Israel.

Thank you to all the generous parents of Barkai who sponsored many other gifts that were sold alongside the bracelets to help with this worthy cause. We are extremely grateful to the leaders of the Mechinah for their dedication to our mission, and for presenting a sizeable donation to help further our humanitarian work.

We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Rabbi Yehoshua Shani, Rosh Yeshivah of Barkai Yeshivah, for his outstanding devotion and commitment to Meir Panim.

“Computer From the Heart” is a unique project set up back in 2003 by Mrs. Gila Waxman. The project’s goal is to assist and rehabilitate at-risk youth through the study and the acquisition of a profession that will guarantee them a brighter future. The youths repair computers and donate them to children and teens from underprivileged families. Computers that are no longer usable are taken apart and recycled, thus helping to reduce toxic waste that can reach the ground, thereby preserving a clean, green environment.

The project is being run in cooperation with Smile – Internet Gold, Microsoft, the Meir Panim organization, and the Education Ministry.

Once again this year the Meir Panim restaurant network held 18 Passover seders for approximately 6,000 needy families who had nowhere to celebrate the seder.

The Sheraton Plaza Hotel in Jerusalem and chef Shalom Kadosh decided to join this important effort and prepare gourmet meals for the guests participating in the seder held at the Caesar Hotel in Jerusalem. The needy of Jerusalem were treated to the chef's delicacies and luxurious food, the likes of which they had never tasted.Chef Shalom Kadosh: "It was a privilege for us to help needy families on the Passover festival, and we are glad that they enjoyed the food we prepared for them. We invested great effort into their food, because they are among our most important guests."

Sunday evening March 5, 2006 was a clear, dark, frigid night in West Hempstead, New York and to make matters worse, the Academy Awards show was on television that night. None of this stopped the warm hearted people who accepted an invitation from Dr. and Mrs. Farrell Melnick, plus several of their friends, to join them at Dr. Melnick’s home to learn about Meir Panim and all the Israeli children and adults who, out of desperation, have come to depend it.

Plans for this “parlor meeting” began when Dr. Melnick was first introduced to the invaluable work that is being done by Meir Panim. He wanted to find the best way to introduce his community to the importance of the work which they were doing and to demonstrate the absolute need that exists. Dr. Melnick met with Cantor Victor Beck, of Rockville Centre, New York who is a Director of Special Events and Projects for Meir Panim, and together they formulated the plan for the program. The Doctor enlisted the help of several good friends; David and Eleanor Klein, Dovid and Teri Lubin, Avi and Michelle Masliansky, and Jay and Audrey Wildstein. Together they made contact with various leaders of the West Hempstead Jewish Community an invited them to attend the meeting.

Cantor Beck welcomed the group and thanked them for coming out on such a cold night, and thanked the Melnicks for being such good hosts. He then began to explain to them why it was necessary to create a charity such as Meir Panim, the philosophy that drives the organization and with the help of two short videos, a feel for what is actually happening in Israel economically and how that translates into real peoples lives. The cantor then introduced Eli Shaharabany, the Director of Development for Meir Panim, who quoted some specific statistics. The group was visibly shaken by the enormity of the numbers. He also discussed the new state of the art kitchen facility planned for construction in Kiryat Gat which will not only feed tens of thousands of needy children in the Negev region but will also create jobs in an area that is hungry for work.

Dr. Melnick and Cantor Beck then reminded the group that each of them was important to the goals of Meir Panim. First, we needed them to go out into their community and explain to their friends and neighbors what they had just learned. Second, we needed them to be as generous as they possibly could be. At the close of the meeting we found that the group had heard our call for generosity. We can only hope and assume that they will educate their friends and neighbors with as much enthusiasm.

Meir Panim-Power of Giving is "shining its face" in Yokne'am, by both supplying provisions for the needy, the elderly, immigrants and soldiers, and running professional training courses in dressmaking, with the aim of giving needy women the tools for earning a respectable livelihood by pressing and mending garments. The course is held in the Meir Panim-Power of Giving center in Yokne'am every Tuesday morning.

The idea for the course was conceived by branch manager Kochava Rosenfeld, who, after receiving a donation of sewing machines to the Yokne'am branch, decided to take the initiative and give disadvantaged women in the area the tools they need to work for a respectable living. The sewing machines underwent extensive renovation by volunteers who prepared the machines for use in learning the skill of dressmaking.

With her electric enthusiasm, Kochava mobilized an entire staff to work on a completely volunteer basis, including Ruchala Kravitz from Tibon, who volunteers to teach the women, Moshe Golan from Kibbutz Dalia, who repaired the sewing machines, Henry Alexeli from Ein Hashofet who donated the sewing accessories, Ezra Shalom, who donated professional, industrial sewing machines, Racheli Mualam, the volunteer coordinator, and Yokne'am Mall Taxi, which transports the students free of charge.

A Purim party was held in the Turkish Baths in Acre for soldiers without family in Israel, in cooperation with Army Radio, which broadcasted the event. The celebration included dancing, performances, and, of course, a disk jockey, who got the guests hopping in true traditional Purim fashion.

The soldiers were given costumes as they entered and were treated to a bar and especially rich buffet. At the end of the evening, presents were distributed, with each solider receiving a watch, a "Ricochet" kit (consisting of a hat, gloves, a scarf, a wallet, and a gift certificate redeemable at any "Ricochet" store), and a tourist attraction guide. Female soldiers received a Pnina Rosenblum makeup kit. An additional ninety gift packages were distributed to soldiers without family who were unable to attend the event because of their military duties.

Special thanks goes to all the companies who enabled us to "shine our faces" to these soldiers: Click-Art, Lieder & Co., Motorola-Mirs, Brankovitz & Londner/Moshe Londner, A.A.E. Distributors, Rimonei Plast, Roni Schwartz, Roi Ziv, the Turkish Baths, Falafel Be'tzeva – Shimon Cohen, Sachrai Bakery, Pnina Rosenblum, Chantee Elegante – site design; the Red Pirate – Aliza Chanim – decorations and costumes; Chana Maya - candles and other accessories; Sbars – productions; Gilad – productions; Watch Galleries – Roni Katz; Tzofit Publication and Internet – Ofer Silverman; Ricochet – kits for the solders; Oral-B – toothbrushes; and Suflex – Dr. Orpaz – contact lenses.

Avery Fisher Hall - Lincoln Center, New York City - Thunderous applause punctuated the star-studded evening this past Sunday, March 19, as Dudu Fisher, Avraham Fried, and Elli Kranzler, accompanied by 150 children's voices and the World Symphony Orchestra led by Yonatan Raz'el, took to the stage in a concert benefiting the Kiryat Gat Meals for Children Project of Meir Panim Relief Centers in Israel.

Celebrating the legacy and timeless music of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, the concert was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience that took the active and enthusiastic audience on an emotion-filled ride from nostalgia to enrapture and from laughter to near tears.

A beautiful, buffet-style VIP reception preceded the concert, and was attended by hundreds of Meir Panim’s magnanimous and philanthropic friends and supporters, along with their families. The reception gave them the opportunity to meet and mingle with the administrating staff and dedicated volunteers of the organization.

The concert began with a moving video-taped address by the Acting Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert, who spoke about his warm relationship with David Zilbershlag, Meir Panim's founder, and welcomed and thanked all participants for their support of a cause that "helps bridge the wide gap between those who have and those who have not".

Mortimer Zuckerman, Publisher of the New York Daily News, U.S. News & World Report, and Atlantic Monthly, served as concert chairman and also spoke via pre-recorded video. Deafening applause followed both addresses.

Elli Kranzler, a longtime Carlebach fan, well known for his singing on the D'veykus and Journeys albums, set the tone for the evening with a riveting Carlebach Shabbat Medley. International superstar Dudu Fisher's moving rendition of "Neshama" nearly shook the walls and brought down the house. True to style, Avraham Fried's performance was particularly and inimitably warm and enthusiastic.

Among the original and colorful array of video footage shown was a rare account by Reb Shlomo, reminiscent of a stand-up comedy routine, where he hilariously describes his first (and only) visit to a therapist. The audience also got a close-up view of Meir Panim's relief centers and their impact on the lives of families living below the poverty line, including one-third of all Israeli children.

A video-taped performance produced by children in Kiryat Malachi who enjoy daily hot meals delivered by Meir Panim, was introduced by Ayala Hagage, their school principal. Ms. Agag’s cogent account of the circumstances in which many of her students live gave the audience an insider’s description of the terrible effects of poverty and hunger on young children, and ended with an emotional thanks to Meir Panim’s founder, Dudi Zilbershlag, and President, Dudi Roth, for the tremendous positive impact the organization’s services have had in her school.

One of the highlights of the evening was the perfectly orchestrated children's choir comprising 150 young and beautiful voices. Coordinated by Caroll Goldberg, Director of Performing Arts at The Ramaz School, the children were from Hillel Yeshiva of New Jersey, Moriah School of Englewood, North Shore Hebrew Academy, Ramaz School, SAR Academy, and Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County.

Toward the end of the performances, Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, delivered a well-received, inspirational call to action. He mentioned the recent Torah reading, which relates the counting of the Jews in the desert, and explained: “We Jews are not counted by numbers, but by giving.” He then went on to praise Mr. Zuckerman for his major contribution to Meir Panim.

Notable among other friends and supporters of Meir Panim was Cantor Avi Albrecht of Beth Tfiloh, Baltimore, a dedicated volunteer serving as Meir Panim's Major Event Chairperson who was the driving force behind the concert.

The Carlebach family graciously supported and attended the concert. In a letter thanking Meir Panim and printed in the playbill, they wrote: "He (Reb Shlomo) would have loved this event, and would have been so proud of what Meir Panim is accomplishing. May his music continue to inspire us all to open our hearts and our hands to those less fortunate in order to truly bring light and love into every dark corner." Amen.

• To obtain a pre-concert recording, please click here
• To listen to the Kiryat Malachi school children's
special recording for the concert - click here
• To listen to the PM Ehud Olmert
special recording for the concert - click here

On Thursday, Rosh Chodesh Nissan, March 30, 2006, a rich, special and unique musical event was held in the Temuna Theater in Tel-Aviv, the proceeds from which were donated to Meir Panim for the purpose of feeding underprivileged children. The event took place at the initiative of two wonderful, vibrant girls, Shira Golan and Glila Ohevet-Tziyon.

Shira Golan is an actress, singer and composer, who composes music to, among other things, the Psalms. Glila Ohevet-Tziyon is an actress and group leader for "Hitchadshut" – a course that teaches "renewal" of body and spirit, by combining deep meditation and signals that work wonders in improving the lives of the participants. The two came together over the course of their theatrical studies, and have been ever since been "sisters" in soul and action.

The two decided to go out and do something that would make a real difference in their lives and in the lives of others, to give of their talents on one stage, in one evening, and to donate the money to needy children. "Everyone gains from this," they said. "Over the course of working for this performance, we came upon singers, musicians and other artists in the field of performing arts who were thrilled to give of their talents. When such amazing people come together, the sky's the limit…"

"I first met the Meir Panim organization on the internet," Glila tells. "As I was searching for an organization to which to contribute, something inside me told me that we should meet them, and we were amazed to discover the immense range of activity, smiling faces, and readiness to undertake any worthwhile cause. We knew right away that this is it, we found it, Meir Panim is the organization to which we will donate and have many others donate."

The evening was emotional and variegated, featuring familiar and popular songs with arrangements composed especially for the evening d performed by Shira Golan and Orli Tari (singer, actress and comedian) and their friends. It also included original compositions to Psalms, which Shira composed and performed with impressive talent and the accompaniment of talented musicians who volunteered of their time and skill for this event. Glila explained how to increase the blessings in our lives and why "kindness saves from death." She called upon the audience to connect to its internal truth.

The revenue from the performance was considerable and will go towards the preparation of hot meals for needy children in depressed areas in Israel where Meir Panim is active.

Meir Panim is touched and overwhelmed by this most original and welcome initiative which allowed so many people to come to together and help others through this emotional performance initiated by Shira and Glila. Congratulations!

Meir Panim receives a "donation of talent" to help make a difference - the difference of a child growing up failing or succeeding.

A disabled artist who specializes in Judaic Folk Art recently wrote to us: I am a disabled artist - " I do not have money I can donate, but I painted a painting of your children eating lunch...."

We received the picture with this moving message: Enclosed is the painting I have painted for your organization (and permission to reproduce). I hope the painting helps you as I think your kids are terrific and your cause important. I grew up poor, and received free breakfast and lunch in my affluent community's school. It made a big difference sitting through school hungry and being able to participate because I was well fed. My grades improved tremendously. I went from usually being below average to making the honor roll, and ended up getting a scholarship to college. So I know first-hand how much of a difference your organization can make. It can be the difference of a child growing up failing or succeeding. That is why out of all the very deserving Israeli charities I could have chosen to work with, I chose yours.

May Hashem continue to bless your work and may your work continue until that time in the future when there will be no more hunger or want. May it come soon.

A bazaar on behalf of Meir Panim recently took place in Aventura, Florida to help brighten faces in Israel, coordinated by Dayana Susterman, daughter of dedicated Meir Panim supporter, Alberto Susterman, who is also a member of our Honorary Board.

The bazaar brought about the essential community spirit that makes functions such as these successful, and helped familiarize people with Meir Panim’s humanitarian work. The shoppers were extremely delighted with the neatly arrayed merchandise, which was of excellent taste and best quality. The buyers were also very pleased to know that the money they were spending was going to a very wonderful cause.

We commend Dayana for all her hard work and wish her much hatzlacha in all her endeavors.