in this holiday of rough times, a chance to make a difference...

[lagilman]

Growing up, a word I heard a lot in my household was Tzedakah. It's loosely translated as 'charity', but the root word is actually 'justice.' Tzedakah was not something only the wealthy were expected to do -- it was an obligation to help those who have less, even if you yourself have little.

And the highest form of tzedakah was to give anonymously, so that you did not benefit, and the recipient did not feel guilt or obligation to a specific person, but rather felt part of a caring community.

You have the chance right now to make a real difference -- to perform an act of tzedakah. Vera Nazarian, owner of Norilana Books, is in dire straits due to several turns of terrible luck, and this damned economy. She's done everything she can -- now she needs help to keep the roof over her head, literally. $1, $5... the small bills in your wallet can make a very real difference. (and you can check out the charity auction, if you want to put little more money down! Some very nice items being offered...)

The details are here: http://community.livejournal.com/helpvera/751.html And feel free to pass the word along to people who aren't on LJ.

Thanks.

Comments

[quarkwiz.livejournal.com]

I'm seeing this everywhere. Wish I could give more; I gave the equivalent of the cash that's in my wallet right now--because if someone were walking around the room with a hat and that story, I'd open the wallet and empty it.

[lagilman]

Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction -- I had just gotten a small anthology royalty check the day before, almost like it knew it was going to be needed.

[terri-osborne.livejournal.com]

Mine, too, except without the anthology royalty check. I basically sent as much as I could.

[lagilman]

I basically sent as much as I could.

Pretty much what everyone's doing, I suspect. Sending more than you can afford is counterproductive....

[wolfsilveroak.livejournal.com]

I donated yesterday and Twittered the link, it should have been shipped (via LoudTwitter) to my IJ by now.

Any idea how far they've gotten yet?

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

They were at around $3300 last night. She's updating totals in the evenings, so I expect it'll be several more hours before we hear a second update on how it's going.

[wolfsilveroak.livejournal.com]

That's awesome so far!

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

They're up to $7K now! Woot!

[wolfsilveroak.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[allaboutm-e.livejournal.com]

Seeing people respond so positively is wonderful.

[lagilman]

the problem is, there are so many people in need, and likely only to get worse... how do we combat burnout and/or over-giving? It's a hard line to walk, to say 'you and you, but not you...' I admit to facing it right now -- I know what I can afford, both financially and emotionally, and I can't let myself go more than that. And yet...

[rhena.livejournal.com]

I almost skimmed over your initial post due to this very concept...when to say enough is enough. Once I pushed the link and read about Vera and her mother it was a done deal for me. I lost my mom in 2004 after a lengthy and often costly illness. I donated because I believe a society is only as great as the care we have for our elderly and young.

I hesitated to link it on my own LJ because I know many of my friends would be willing but unable to donate. After thinking on it I linked anyhoot and suggested they take a look at the outpouring of wonderful auction items to do some Christmas shopping that would help someone in need along with the hint that they might as well peak because if I get lucky enough to win something....well who knows which one of them will be the giftee:) They're a curious lot so it will generate some traffic at the very least.

So what tipped the boat for me was empathy for Vera's situation which reminded me where my life was at a few years ago and the creativity and generosity of the folk doing it with the auction concept. The auction allows me to not only give but to take care of my own desire for gifts for friends I love...a twofer deal:)

Thanks to you for posting the link on your own LJ which allowed me to find it and pass it on. The ripple effect is an amazing critter:)