Blog - Page 20 of 39 - The Jonah Maccabee Foundation

JMF Gives Shakespeare an Encore

December 29, 2016 Billy Grants, What's Happening? No comments

Once again, The Jonah Maccabee Foundation is thrilled to provide a grant to Mainestage Shakespeare of Kennebunk, Maine. MaineStage Shakespeare is a nonprofit theater company made up of young, passionate theater artists from around the country who believe in the benefits of the resident repertory theater company, actors who can develop their craft together to produce a creative nucleus that enriches their community-at-large. Also, through the MaineStage ShakeSTARS, MSS offers summertime training that combines actor training, theatre fun, and personal growth development that’s so important to for children growing healthy and whole.

Twelfth Night (2015)

The JMF believes passionately in the arts and their potential to help minds and spirits grow. We’re delighted to partner with Mainestage Shakespeare in bringing repertory theatre and arts education to the 23rd state.

Visit Mainestage Shakespeare to learn more. Watch their new video here.

JMF Helps Reduce Stigma Surrounding Suicide

December 28, 2016 Billy Grants No comments

We just donated to Rethink The Conversation’s end-of-year appeal. Won’t you help reframe conversations about mental health and suicide?

Click here for more info or, better yet, click here and make your donation right now!

Thanks!

Missing My Mom

December 17, 2016 Billy What's Happening? 1 comment

1957 … Mom and I are just getting to know each other

Ida F. Dreskin lived for 93 years, and was well on her way to 94. She was my mom and I really thought she had an excellent chance of seeing a hundred. But one month ago, her extraordinarily terrific life reached its conclusion as Ellen (my wife who, amazingly, happened to have been teaching for a weekend at my mom’s temple down in Florida) held her hand and sang to her as Mom departed this plane to go wherever it is that beautiful mothers go to when their time with us is complete.

But I miss her. This morning, with snow covering New York, I’m homebound with Charlie (Ellen is once again out of town) and the feeling washed over me that this would have been a great time to give my mom a call and say hi. But while I can certainly speak to her, I can’t speak with her. And that makes me sad.

1998 … so happy to have been able to take Mom to Israel with me

Having been my mom’s youngest, we shared a pretty special bond. Probably because she pitied me, being the youngest and the weakest and the most pitiful of her children. (I’m hoping I grew out of much of that sentiment.) Whatever the reason, she was pretty important in my life. And while I didn’t visit her enough, and I didn’t even call her enough, our relationship was always solid and loving.

Thanks to all who have contributed to our Winter 2016 Campaign!

November 29, 2016 Billy Thank You No comments

2016-12-wintercampaign16 Our Winter 2016 campaign’s a little different. You’re invited the honor and/or remember parents and/or grandparents who inspired the life you’re living. It’s a sweet and poignant way to give credit where credit is due, and to help a whole lotta kids along the way.

We are so grateful that you take the time and dollars to support our work. This list of donors is a small but earnest way to thank you. May our efforts bring ever-increasing goodness into young lives!

The campaign continues through December 31, 2016. Please give generously at jonahmac.org/donate.

Ellen, Billy, Katie, Mark and Aiden

Naomi Dreskin … in memory of Helen and Oscar Dreskin (because as members of Jonah’s extended family, they would have been proud, as I am, of your efforts in his name, to enrich the lives of others through the arts– also their passion.)

Rachel Kalmowitz … in honor of my Mama, whose current experience fighting breast cancer reminds me how strong and capable this gentle, compassionate woman is.

Julie Newman … in memory of Bernard Newman, my father — for singing with me in the car

Phyllis Opochinsky … in honor of Hy and Ruth Polikoff, my parents in the best sense of the word

Rona Oberman and Deb Franzblau … in memory of Jonny Franzblau

Robin Brigmon … in memory of Paul and Ruby Brigmon

Beth Sher … in honor of Bobbie Kraus, Choir Member and Grandmother Extraordinaire

Leona Paul … in memory of Susan Paul Sirkman

Nancy Paul … in honor of Leona Paul, my best friend and mother

In Memory of Ida F. Dreskin

November 27, 2016 Billy Thank You No comments

Ida Dreskin: (l-r) 2008, 1957 and 1942

My mom was born in Perth Amboy, NJ, in 1923. She raised six children (me being the youngest) in Cincinnati, OH. Following her eldest (and only) daughter first to Boston and then to Florida, she died peacefully last week at the pretty grand old age of 93. At a sweet, beautiful funeral, attended by five of her six kids and loads of kids-in-law and grandchildren, we sent her on her way to the next part of her journey.

So many of you have donated in her honor and we want to take a moment here to say thank you. I was so deeply touched by all of your gifts. My mom adored Jonah and was utterly bereft when he died. She loved seeing the good work we’ve been doing in his name. Now, with your help, we can do that work in honor of them both.

With humble thanks,
Billy

P.S. Throughout December 2016, our winter fundraising campaign is called “Honoring Our Parents and Our Grandparents.” Donate today in honor of someone that YOU love.

Rabbis Bernard Mehlman, Ronne Friedman, Elaine Zecher and Cantor Roy Einhorn

Ellen and Billy Dreskin

Mitchell Feldman

Lois and Bernie Bacharach

David and Joanne Sapadin

Noah Budin: Another Good Guy Award!

November 15, 2016 Billy Thank You, What's Happening? No comments

This week, we send love and thanks to our good pal, Noah Budin, who donated 100% of the proceeds of CD and songbook purchases following a Shabbat Evening spent with Billy at Woodlands Community Temple this past August. As if it weren’t enough that we were given a most delightful and moving evening of singing and storytelling by this gentle, talented man, he then turned around and said, “Hey, do some good with these dollars, will you?”

We will, Noah. And we’re so pleased to offer you this week’s Good Guy Award and induction into the Order of Stalwart Friends of The Jonah Maccabee Foundation. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy!

What, you don’t know who Noah Budin is?! Well, get yourself over to noahbudin.com and meet him today. The guy writes some mighty nice tunes!

Life (and You) Still Teaching Me

September 20, 2016 Billy Jonah 5 comments

Dear Jonah,

Most days, I’m okay. Really. I’m almost never without you on my mind or very close by. But I don’t dwell much. I enjoy my life, and I eagerly meet each new day.

Meandering along the dog park's back path

Here’s why we love the footpath so much!

I do still feel sorry for myself. Because everyday, you’re still gone. And you’re still nineteen. You don’t disappear at an older age as the years go on. Everyday, my young kid is gone. That hurt, that profound sense of irreparable loss, never fully goes away.

On days when Charlie and I get to spend time at the dog park, we meander along the back trail enjoying the quiet and the solitude. Which is often when I will think about you.

Today, our walk was a lesson in humility and perspective. In life, sooner or later, we all confront loss. The best outcome, perhaps, is that ours will in some way prepare us to be a better presence as others confront theirs.

We met up with two families whose time of loss has arrived.

Thank you for helping us help in Louisiana!

September 6, 2016 Billy Grants No comments

2016.08.LouisianaReliefProject.WebNote Through your generosity, The Jonah Maccabee Foundation was able to forward an incredibly generous grant to Save the Children’s “Gulf Coast Floods Children’s Relief Fund.”

Save the Children has deployed an emergency response team to Baton Rouge to establish Child-Friendly Spaces in emergency shelters and assess children’s most urgent needs in the wake of the severe flooding there and in southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi.

Children, being the most vulnerable when disaster strikes, must have their unique needs be addressed from the outset during emergencies. Save the Children has been working closely with long-term local partners to make sure children are protected and cared for amidst the turmoil they and their families are experiencing.

Thank you for your caring hearts and open wallets. If you’d like to see you name in lights (well, as close to “in lights” as we get around these parts, click here).

With humble gratitude,
Ellen, Billy, Katie, Mark and Aiden
The Jonah Maccabee Foundation

JMF Awards Grant to Save Syrian Refugee Children

September 1, 2016 Billy Grants No comments

A dinghy arrives in Lesvos, Greece, on 30th November, with more than 60 Syrian refugees, most of them children.

A dinghy arrives in Lesvos, Greece, on this past November, with more than 60 Syrian refugees, most of them children.

While we continue raising money to help those kids and families whose lives were disrupted by the flooding in Louisiana, so many more families continue to flee terror in Syria. Save the Children has launched a search-and-rescue vessel to provide lifesaving assistance to children and others left adrift — or worse — as they attempt to make the treacherous Mediterranean crossing from North Africa to Italy. The ship hopes to reach up to 20,000 people at risk of drowning over the next fifteen months. On board, a specially-trained team will provide dedicated services (including emotional support) for children (more than 90% of whom arrive in Italy without their parents) and offer medical assistance, food, water and warm clothing for as many as three hundred people.

Thank you for empowering The Jonah Maccabee Foundation to be able to support this life-saving venture.

Ellen, Billy, Katie, Mark and Aiden
The Jonah Maccabee Foundation

Thank You for Participating in Our Louisiana Relief Project!

August 30, 2016 Billy Thank You No comments

2016.08.LouisianaReliefProject.WebNote We’re so grateful that you’ve chosen to join us in extending a helping hand to those living in areas that are struggling to contend with the flooding in Baton Rouge and other parts of Louisiana. The Jonah Maccabee Foundation is forwarding all of these gifts to help kids who are caught in the mess down there. We’ll be working with Save the Children as they deploy emergency response teams to establish Child-Friendly Spaces in emergency shelters and assess children’s most urgent needs throughout Louisiana.

Most sincerely,
Ellen, Billy, Katie, Mark and Aiden
The Jonah Maccabee Foundation, Inc.

Jason Laks and Rabbi Lisa Izes

Danielle Rodnizki … in gratitude for Noah Budin and the music he shared with me!

Joan Funk