With all the hardships that 2020 has thrown our way, it is now time to start a new chapter in our lives. A few days from now will be the first Yarzheit for our wife and mother, Linda Schiffman A'H. We thought there could be no better way to uplift ourselves from the challenges of 2020 than by starting an endowment in her memory.
When losing a parent, the custom of saying Kaddish is an undertaking in which a mourner invests a tremendous amount of time and energy. The daily schedule revolves around being able to make it to minyan and say Kaddish; everything else is secondary. After completing the eleven months of Kaddish there is often a sense of lost connection to the deceased, which is difficult to accept. To honor our mother's memory, we felt it was important to get involved with an organization that provides critical assistance to those in need.
Our mother had many passions in life. She loved her family, was a steadfast supporter of the State of Israel, and had a strong desire to help those less fortunate and to bring people together, much like Aaron Hakohen who would often be described as someone who was אוהב שלום ורודף שלום - someone who loved peace and chased after peace. Most importantly she made sure to instill these values in her children. As a result we will be starting an endowment in her memory with Leket Israel.
Started by Joseph Gitler, Leket Israel, Israel's National Food Bank collects and rescues 40 million pounds of healthy, surplus food annually that would have gone to waste, and distributes it to those in need. With a growing need to supply an increasing number of citizens, Leket always steps up to the plate and finds a way to meet the demand for its service.
One specific project that we are passionate about is their involvement with at-risk youths. The program works with students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who are at risk for not graduating. The program not only provides them nutritious meals they do not have access to at home, but also provides after school programming to help these students get back on track and graduate with a high school diploma or vocational degree. Leket has partnered with many of these schools to feed these students so that they receive a least one nutritious meal a day. This simple gesture of a home cooked meal that many of us take for granted has made a tremendous difference in the success of these students and will hopefully allow the cycle of poverty to be broken and assist them in establishing a better life. This type of support is something our mother would be proud to be a part of.
On behalf of my father and sister, I want to thank each and everyone one of you for reading this letter and ask that you help contribute to this wonderful cause. With your support our mother’s memory will continue to help others less fortunate and allow us to make this world a better place.
