Elizabeth—Bruriah 11th graders set out to raise $1200 for the Israeli organization EFRAT CRIB. The money is used to subsidize one mother who could not otherwise afford to keep her baby. The students surpassed their goal and doubled it by raising $2400.
The fundraiser was initiated by veteran Bruriah teacher Mr. Joel Glazer in conjunction with the unit in the history class he teaches about the Holocaust. His goal was to give the students an opportunity to put what they learned into action by doing something positive for the Jewish people today.
Nurit Esral, the student head of the fundraising committee, spearheaded the effort to raise the funds required.
EFRAT C.R.I.B. (Committee for the Rescue of Israel’s Babies) helps women referred to them who are considering terminating a pregnancy for financial reasons. EFRAT offers a woman in that situation free baby food, supplies, equipment, and support from volunteers, making it possible for her to keep her baby.
Tzvi Binn, a representative from EFRAT CRIB visiting from Israel, came to Bruriah himself so the students could personally hand over a check for the sum raised.
“Nurit Esral and the other girls raised $2400 to save the lives of two babies in Israel,” Binn says. “At a time when the economy is still down, they nevertheless pulled this off. It’s a tremendous accomplishment.”
Binn walked away in awe of the students he’d met at Bruriah. “I found the spirit of the school very impressive. These are the girls who will step up to the plate and solve the problems facing the Jewish people in the future, who will live up to the ideal of Kol Yisrael Areivim [all Jews are responsible for one another].”
Mr. Glazer is extremely proud that his students have raised twice as much as the goal he set for them. He plans to do this project again and hopes to see this feat repeated in years to come by his future students.
Associate principal Rabbi Chaim Hagler agreed. “What makes this school so special is the students. We are very proud of what these Bruriah students have accomplished.”
For more information see http://www. friendsofefrat.org/ or contact Mr. Joel Glazer 908-355-4850.м
