B NAI MITZVAH PROGRAM GUIDE
A LITTLE ABOUT MAZON Founded in 1985, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is dedicated to preventing and alleviating hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds. MAZON means food or sustenance in Hebrew. MAZON practices two of the most important Jewish ideals. We practice tzedakah by supporting the organizations that are feeding hungry people today, and tikkun olam by working to prevent hunger in the future. Our important work would not be possible without your support.
One day, God, may it be Your will that we live in a world perfected, in which food comes to the hungry as from heaven, and water will flow to the thirsty as a stream. But in the meantime, while the world is filled with hunger, empower us to stand on Your behalf and fulfill the words of Your prophet: to all who are thirsty bring water, and greet those who wander with food. Bless us that we should sustain the hungry. Written by Rabbi Scott Perlo Introduction to MAZON
THE BASIC INFO Our program is designed for you to mix and match different tzedekah and tikkun olam opportunities to create a partnership with MAZON that is unique to you. In this program guide, you will find ideas for: Planning to include MAZON in your celebration Meaningful mitzvah projects Ways to include MAZON on the day of your Simcha Sharing your work with MAZON with friends and family and ways to stay involved Mazel Tov to you and your family on this wonderful celebration!
JOIN OUR WORK MAZON is thrilled that you want to join our effort to end hunger! We want to hear about all of the great work you are doing! Send an email to outreach@mazon.org with the following info: Name Date of Bar/Bat Mitzvah Synagogue Your address & phone number What you have chosen to do for your project or if you want help brainstorming ideas Preferred sweatshirt size (adult sizes S-XL) Overview of MAZON B nai Mitzvah Program
MATERIALS WE HAVE We have lots of great resources for you. Email outreach@mazon.org to request any of the following: MAZON advocacy postcards Place cards MAZON petition Brochures MAZON sweatshirts and t-shirts Newsletters MAZON tzedakah boxes Donation envelopes MAZON tribute cards Hunger/SNAP fact sheets Centerpiece cards Electronic file of MAZON logo Centerpiece card MAZON sweatshirt THE FIRST STEPS Before your event even happens, there are lots of ways to include MAZON and your Mitzvah project in the planning stages for your big day! Donate 3% of the cost of your event to MAZON Donate to MAZON in honor of your guests in lieu of purchasing party favors Suggest that guests donate to MAZON in lieu of gifts If there will be dancing at your event, consider coordinating a dance-a-thon and have your guests pledge money for those who dance the longest/have the most creative dance move Distribute MAZON advocacy postcards in your invitations. Ask guests to sign them and send them back with their RSVP card Include a link to MAZON s website on your event website Available Materials & The Planning Process
THE FUN STUFF Paper plate campaign: Invite your friends and family to write letters on paper plates that express your concerns about hunger. Send these plates to your congressperson. Your advocacy for this important issue will deem you a valuable partner in the fight to end hunger. Visual representation: Plan an event to showcase what hunger looks like to you through art, photographs, videos, poems etc. Charge admission for the event and donate the proceeds to MAZON. Your creativity will help inform others on the issue of hunger and share the facts in a new and unique way! Meaningful storytelling: Reflect on the volunteer experiences you may have or the observations you have made about hunger. Then write a descriptive story about these experiences and facts and turn your story into a book. Your storytelling will bring new meaning to your experiences as well as inspire others too! Decorate a plate or bowl: Decorate a plate or bowl in honor of the millions of empty plates around the country. Put your work on display at your Simcha to bring awareness to the issue and ask your guests to donate money to help symbolically put food on the empty dishes. Your artistic touch will educate others on the issue of hunger!
MORE OF THE FUN STUFF Creative expression: Whether you are comfortable on-screen or behind the scenes, create a video to share important facts about hunger and why you care about the issue. Send this video electronically to your guests and share it on Facebook, Twitter and your event website. We can t wait to see your creativity! Family food stamp challenge: Research SNAP (food stamps) to learn more how much money an average family of your size would receive if you qualified for food stamps. Plan with your family to eat on a food stamp budget for one week. Keep notes of your thoughts and feelings each day of the challenge and share them with others to help them understand the struggle. Fundraising: Coordinate an event or activity to raise money for MAZON. You can organize a walk-a-thon, host a garage sale, make a craft to sell to your friends and family or run a lemonade stand at your synagogue. The sky is the limit! We d love to share your creative projects on our website, so be sure to send us pictures and keep us updated on all of your hard work! Do you have another project idea? Send us an email at outreach@mazon.org to tell us what you re planning. Mitzvah Project Ideas
THE BIG DAY The spotlight is on you as you celebrate your Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This important day is your chance to showcase all of your hard work, as well as highlight the work you have been doing with MAZON! On your big day, you can: Include what you learned about hunger and what you have done to join MAZON in the fight to end hunger in your D var Torah Display MAZON materials on tables at your oneg or party Include information about MAZON in your printed program Print the MAZON logo on giveaway items at your celebration (i.e. Frisbees, t-shirts, party favors etc) Sell MAZON t-shirts and sweatshirts before or during your event to raise funds and awareness for MAZON Have a MAZON petition available to sign next to your guest book
KEEP IN TOUCH We are proud to now call you our partner. We look forward to working with you for years to come. Here are a few ways to stay connected with MAZON: Continue to donate on the anniversary of your B nai Mitzvah Organize community awareness & education events Coordinate social justice activities during Jewish holidays at your synagogue Join our MAZON Hunger Fellows program in college Your commitment to MAZON and the fight to end hunger is what will help us transform how it is into how it should be. Day of Your Simcha & Staying Involved
10495 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 442-0020 (800) 813-0557 mazon.org 10495 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90025 800-813-0557 mazon.org Connect & Spread The Word Find us: facebook.com/mazonusa twitter.com/stophunger facebook.com/mazonusa twitter.com/stophunger