Our Works Can Be Diving: Some Stories

The Rambam taught that loving one’s neighbor as oneself meant that what we wanted for ourselves is what we should want for others.

The following people and groups demonstrate their caring for others in ways that are creative and inspiring. Each fulfils the Rambam’s definition of love for others by understanding peoples’ needs and attempting to fulfill them.

Read about each person/ group and the work they do. Select one that most appeals to you and indicate how they demonstrate the empathy with which we would want to be treated.

	The act, the mitzvah, they do	What is there about what they do that you would want for yourself? Your answer should be in terms of the values* provided.
Second Wind Dreams www.secondwind.org	Make dreams come true for people in nursing homes.
Gift of Life Foundation www.giftoflife.org	Run bone marrow testing drives and make matches.
Songs of Love www.songsoflove.org	Provide personalized songs for children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses.
Rock & Wrap it Up! www.rockandwrapitup.org	Collect leftover food from major events and distribute them to hungry people.
Birthday Wishes http://www.birthdaywishes.org/ massnonprofit.html	Provide birthday parties for children in homeless shelters.
Shoes that Fit www.shoesthatfit.org	Provide shoes for children who can not afford a new pair.
A School for Iqbal http://www.mirrorimage.com/iqbal/	Middle School students who fight child labor.
Glass Slipper www.glasslipperproject.org	Provides a boutique for donated prom dresses.
Ground Swell Mural www.groundswellmural.org	Encourages people to use their talents and combine them with community activism.
Locks of Love www.locksoflove.org	Provides wigs for children with permanent hair loss.
Mayaworks www.mayaworks.org	Provides employment and microloans for Mayan women.

*Remember that these value statements should not be about possessions (clothes, money), but about values such as understanding, empathy, kindness, sensitivity, respect, tolerance, etc.