West Hempstead families repeat #GivebackSunday

Patients at Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital in Man-hasset will enjoy beautiful shabbat packages due to the efforts of the families of the Young Israel of West Hempstead.

Close to 100 children, along with their moms and dads, participated in the Young Israel of West Hempstead Sisterhood’s fifth annual #Giveback Sunday event on Feb 16.

“We started #GivebackSunday in 2016 as a way to do chessed for the larger Jewish community,” said former Sisterhood President Kari Levine. “Each year it’s one of our most popular events. I am proud to say that in the last five years we given out over 500 packages to hospital and nursing home patients.”

“#GivebackSunday is a fantastic way to spend a cold winter morning teaching my children the importance of giving back,” says Ayelet Mottahedeh, who brought her two children to the event that she’s chaired for several years.

Families are handed a Shabbat kit in a reusable shopping bag. The kit includes a kiddush cup, electric candles, a deck of cards, a bencher, a challah cover, a sachet for besamim, and the supplies needed to make a paper flower. Participants go to work at tables teeming with craft items, such as of markers and glittery stickers, and they get down to work embellishing the packages with their personal touches. Each package is a work of art made with love.

“This event is so perfect for me to bring my kids to,” said Daniella Rosenberg. “I want to teach my kids to think of others, and this event helps me show that in action”  

Rabbi Dr. Hillel Fox, chaplain of the North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, agrees.

“It warms my heart to see so many families volunteering their time to decorate and provide religious articles for the Jewish patients at Northwell Health’s North Shore University Hospital,” Rabbi Fox said. He told the participants that “your kindness will bring smiles, comfort and joy to sick patients who are hospitalized over Shabbat.”

 “I came here today to do chessed in honor of my upcoming Bat Mitzvah,” says Meira Levine, age 11, “I can’t wait to do it again next year!”

—From Kari Levine