It’s always a little odd being a Jew in New York during the Christmas season. Despite all the political correctness in our midst, it really is still Christmas season. No doubt about it. Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, Christmas music . . .
But yesterday I saw it. A sign from above that, yes, it is Chanukah season here too. As I was smack in the middle of Herald Square (which might as well be Christmas central), I heard the tinkling of “Rock of Ages” being played over a loudspeaker. I turned, and in all its glory was — The Mitzvah Tank.
For those of you who aren’t in the know, the Mitzvah Tank has been around since 1974, prompting Jews to do good deeds, or mitzvot. Now, I don’t know if it makes more appearances during Chanukah, but it was a comforting sight nonetheless. Later in the evening, I also saw a jeep-like vehicle with a large, blue menorah strapped to the top. It was one of those moments when I really wish I had my digi-cam with me. Damn.
I have never done the “traditional” Jewish Christmas of movies and Chinese food, so this year, I am going to Makor to watch Woody Allen movies and eat Chinese food with fellow Members of the Tribe. I am seriously considering following that with going to the Knitting Factory to see What I Like About Jew, a parody rock revue with a Jewish flair, with songs such as “Hanukah with Monica” (She put that age-old myth to bed – ’bout Jewish girls not giving head). Oh yeah.
Granted, as a Jew, I have never felt truly left out during Christmas. My stepfather isn’t Jewish, so I always have Christmas eve with him and my mom, and Christmas day with my (step?) aunt and cousins. Basically, it’s the best of both worlds. Happy Chanukah everyone — even the goyim!
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Please read this. It is a write up on the
Mitzvah Tanks in Israel. An Extraordinary
effort.
MOBILE MITZVAH CENTERS—ISRAEL (Chabad Lubavitch)
820 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11213
Telephone: (718) 756-1898 Fax: (718) 756-0017
E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.chabadisrael.org
Israeli Headquarters: P.O. Box 1035, Nazareth Illit 11710 (046) 462 770
Mobile Mitzvah Centers, nicknamed Mitzvah Tanks, educates over 60,000 children, soldiers, senior citizens and immigrants in Israel. A staff of 150 experienced teachers and 300 young counselors carry out these educational objectives.
Jewish Education in Israel: Twelve recreational vehicles are sent out daily, each one thirty feet in length, with a three-man staff, two classrooms with libraries, and a full array of religious articles. Each staff conducts six classes daily in different locales. Other experienced teachers travel to outlying communities during evening hours to teach adult classes. The fully computerized project, headquartered in a multi-building complex in Upper Nazareth in the Galil, services 250 communities throughout Israel.
Jewish Education in Russia and Ukraine: Mobile Mitzvah recently initiated in the cities of Moscow, Kiev, Petersburg, and Minsk of the former Soviet Union a project modeled after its program in Israel.
Children’s Education: The Tzivos Hashem program educates 45,000 children in 250 communities throughout Israel. With 200 children’s libraries, the children are taught the basics of Judaism and instilled with pride in being Jewish. The monthly children’s magazine employs a full-time staff of six people. Produced on 32 pages of vivid color, it is filled with exciting features, suspenseful stories, cartoons, puzzles, and much more.
Adult Education: Twenty-five years of experience have given Mobile Mitzvah the ability to manage an efficient, caring network of 250 learning centers for 10,000 men who learn three hours a day.
Services to the Military: The frontline companionship given by the Mitzvah Tank staff to Israeli soldiers under fire is common knowledge in Israel. In addition to offering a listening ear to troubled soldiers, the staff joins them inside a Mitzvah Tank to pray, to make L’Chaim and to relax with coffee and cake. Israel’s Prime Minister called the Mitzvah Tank operation “The spirit that upholds the sword.”
Russian Immigrants: The Center and Ulpan for Russian immigrants serves a community of over 2,000 in the surrounding area of Upper Nazareth with food and clothing supplements and work-oriented education.
Jewish Community Centers on Wheels: Part of the teaching staff bring their “community centers on wheels” to 20 different communities every Shabbos. Services are conducted on Shabbos with singing and learning in a lively atmosphere. For the benefit of Jewish communal life and spirit, the same activities are sponsored on all holidays.
Holiday Celebrations: Three annual parades that travel the length of Israel, from north to south, and frequent rallies celebrate holidays such as Chanukah.
Giving Opportunities: In 25 years, Mobile Mitzvah’s budget has grown to $2.5 million. Tax ID #51-0141725. “We hope that you will join our partnership and help bring the joy of Yiddishkeit to thousands of families in Israel and Russia and hasten to bring the complete and final redemption… through our righteous redeemer, Moshiach Tzidkeinu.” —Rabbi David Nachshon, Executive Director.
Reprinted from The Guide to Gifts and Bequests, A Directory of Philanthropically Supported Institutions
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