Jewish community doing good deeds for Mitzvah Day

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The Jewish community will participate in Mitzvah Day on Sunday in the greater Youngstown area.

“Mitzvah is a commandment to do good deeds,” said Sarah B. Wilschek, program coordination for Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, which is among the participants. Others involved are Congregation Rodef Sholom in Youngstown; Temple El Emeth and Children of Israel in Liberty; Congregation Ohev Tzedek in Boardman; Youngstown Area Jewish Federation; Jewish Community Center of Youngstown; Commission for Jewish Education; and Akiva Academy.

Last year, Congregation Rodef Sholom conducted a Mitzvah Day coordinated by Mari Alschuler, chairwoman of the social action committee.

“The vision was to expand it to the entire Jewish community,” Wilschek said. And that’s what has evolved from meetings of representatives of the organizations involved. “We had feedback on possible projects,” she said. “It all came out of conversations of what could help.”

Alschuler added representatives of the Jewish organizations “brainstormed on suggesting projects” and “there was input from all groups.

Wilschek said about 120 people are involved in various projects.

“Mitzvah Day is a time to get together and do good for others,” Wilschek said.

Recently, Ronna Marlin, program director at Levy Gardens, an assisted-living facility for people of all faiths, and president of Temple El Emeth; Toni Pizzulo, a tenant at Levy Gardens; Barbara Byers, a Levy Gardens employee and volunteer; Jeannie Peskin, Levy Gardens volunteer; Elyse Silverman, program director at Temple El Emeth; and Alschuler met at Levy Gardens to discuss the project.

Sew and Sews, a group that has met Mondays from August into October at Levy Gardens, has worked on sewing projects. Participants have made walker bags for tenants at Levy Gardens and Whispering Oaks in Hermitage, Pa.; caps, booties and baby blankets for Akron Children’s Hospital and caps for adults and children undergoing chemotherapy. Items have been sewn, quilted, knitted or crocheted.

Pizzulo, a longtime member of St. Anthony Church, said she got involved with Sew and Sews even though she’s “not a sew-er.” But, she made items with instruction from other experienced participants. “I really worked at this and I enjoyed doing it,” Pizzulo said. “You can’t say no when Ronna asks. ... She makes it fun.”

Pizzulo said Mitzvah Day promotes an idea dear to her heart. “God has been good to me. This is a way to give back,” she said.

Marlin added, “The projects will benefit the community and we had fun being involved. The work had a purpose.”

Byers and Peskin said being involved in volunteer service was meaningful to them.

Silverman said one of the projects suggested by Temple El Emeth was making chemotherapy bags for adults and children. “Almost everyone can relate to that or knows someone with cancer and getting treatment,” she said. “To provide a comfort in some way may help.”

The group noted that doing good deeds for Mitzvah Day reflected a directive in many religions of helping the less fortunate and those in need.