The last six months have seen an upswing in the number of special gifts donated by individuals and federations in the NJ/DE Cluster communities to the Arad/Tamar region. These gifts are special because they are expressions of the partnership between the NJ/DE Cluster communities and the region, which go beyond the regular budget allocation process.
Minibus for Handicapped Elderly
In May 1999, the visiting members of the Partnership 2000 steering committee visited the "Beit Gilad" Day Center for the Elderly in Arad and hear about the need for matching funds in order for the facility to purchase a wheelchair lift-equipped minibus. The bus would allow the homebound elderly in Arad to use and enjoy the facility and its services, thereby relieving their isolation and loneliness.
After receiving assurances from Mayor Bezalel Tabib that the municipality would cover the operational costs of the bus, including a driver's salary, the steering committee members set out to raise the $25,000 matching gift needed. When the steering committee reconvened in November 1999, Mr. Gerry Flanzbaum, the NJ/DE Cluster chairman, brought good news for the mayor and residents of Arad, in the form of a check for $25,000!
Sheltered Workshop Bookbindery
On July 11, 1999 a group of 25 members of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, led by the federation president, Mr. George Liss, toured the "Lev Lelev" ("Heart to Heart") Center for the Handicapped in Arad. The center is operated as a branch of the Arad Community Center and provides daily social activities and employment for 40 local adults with physical and mental handicaps. The center's sheltered workshop project pays the members for the work they perform at the center. The work, which is of the sorting and packing nature, is contracted from the local factories in Arad, including the Motorola electronics plant and the "LAMDA" toy and game factory.
Following the tour of the facility, Mr. Liss presented the center's director, Ms. Celia Sidkovsky, with a gift of $5,000 to be used for the purchase of book binding machinery for the center's sheltered workshop. Today, a group of members are being trained to operate the new bookbindery, which is to become their source of gainful employment in the future. Mayor Bezalel Tabib was on hand to thank Mr. Liss and the Northern NJ Jewish Federation for their partnership in improving the quality of life for Arad's handicapped population.
Chess Tables and Benches
Arad is Israel's first city that was built from the first day according to a comprehensive urban plan. The town planners created pedestrian walkways throughout the town where residents can stroll and congregate in the leisure hours of the day, surrounded by greenery and natural shade.
Since the beginning of the 1990's, Arad has benefited from an influx of new immigrants from the former Soviet Union, which has altered the cultural life in Arad for the better. One benefit of the more "Russian" character of Arad today is the growing interest and love for the game of chess, which these immigrants brought with them.
Mr. David Burns and his family approached Mr. Michael Shapiro, the Jewish Federation Middlesex County's Executive Vice President, with a request to make a gift in honor of his deceased parents, Albert and Isi Burns. Mike's first thought was to find an appropriate outlet for their request in Arad, and he turned to Monica Zelingher, the Partnership 2000 regional manager for assistance.
On November 2, 1999 the Burns', took time off from their participation in the New Jersey/Delaware megamission, and were joined by Mike, Monica and the spokeswoman for the Arad municipality, Ms. Nadia Granitz, to dedicate their gift to the residents of Arad - two new chess tables and benches.
The tables and benches are made of granite stone and metal and are situated in a beautiful green walkway in the heart of the town. The benches are now being used every day by the residents of Arad, where a new generation is growing up with an appreciation for the honorable game of chess.
Shvat 5760 - January 2000