Though only 8 years old, Nava Siegler is a dynamo at combining entrepreneurship with acts of chesed. Nava, a student at The Moriah School, conceived of, created and fulfilled a Purim chesed project that helped many children in our community and touched the hearts of the Project Ezrah staff. This insightful third grader really thinks ahead: Every Chanukah, Nava helps her mother, Debbie Siegler, deliver toys to our community’s annual Chanukah Toy Drive. “This year, after going to Joy Sklar’s house and seeing the Chanukah Toy Drive, I thought that kids might need Purim costumes, too!” Nava said.

With the goal in mind, Nava came up with the game plan. First she contacted Project Ezrah, “because Project Ezrah is helpful to families who need money or jobs,” to see if there might be a need for Purim costumes for clients’ children. Project Ezrah then contacted clients and asked them for their children’s costume “wish list.” (Project Ezrah’s clients can be assured of anonymity and only staff will contact clients.) Nava took it from there.

Nava sold Purim cards to raise money for the costumes. Our budding entrepreneur emailed family and friends to describe her project and sell the cards she designed: “Purim Sameach! Your contribution will help to purchase costumes for children in need. Thank you for supporting this cause.” Her parents helped print the cards and paid for them. It did not take long for Nava to surpass her goal. “People were very helpful donating money and they thought it was a good idea,” she proudly explained.

Money raised, the real challenge—and the fun—began: finding the costumes. The construction worker, the doctor, Elsa and Supergirl were easy, but where could she find a Minecraft Hero or (the hardest of all) a Chihuahua (two were requested!). Nava was very specific; she wanted each costume to be new, good quality and exactly what each child asked for. In all, 12 costumes were requested (the Minion was her favorite).

Nava and her father visited the Project Ezrah offices to deliver the costumes. “It was very special working with Nava,“ said Susan Alpert, Project Ezrah’s Director of Development. “From beginning to end, she worked with detail and joy. Each one of us at Project Ezrah was truly touched by Nava’s concern for others.”

Costumes delivered—but there was more! Nava also presented Project Ezrah with a check in excess of $1,000 for the money she raised above the cost of the costumes, which was set to be distributed by Project Ezrah as matanot l’evyonim on Purim Day. “You have shown that you know the great importance of chesed and kindness,” said Robert Hoenig, Project Ezrah’s Executive Director as he presented Nava with Project Ezrah’s Chesed Award certificate and the Chofetz Chaim book Loving Kindness, Daily Lessons in the Power of Giving.

Purim Day should be extra special for Nava this year. “We are going to send out the (extra) Purim cards I made and make mishloach manot. We will go hear the megillah at our Shul (Ahavath Torah) and go to a carnival at Moriah, my school,” Nava told the Jewish Link.

Project Ezrah also wanted to make sure to applaud Nava’s parents, Debbie and Steve Siegler, as well as her teachers and rabbis. It is parents and our community’s rabbis and educators who instill in our children the beauty and necessity of chesed and inspire them to “love kindness.” Nava’s act of chesed is a beautiful example.

Most importantly, what will Nava be dressed up as on Purim Day? Well, if you see a Panda with a beautiful soft smile, wish her a hearty yasher koach from all of us!

Ezrah means help! Learn more at http://www.ezrah.org.