Giving Season

I visited a friend this weekend – she had a present wrapped for me… I was embarrassed – I got us a nice lunch. I was caught flat-footed. I think of Christmas Season starting about 6 days before (like today, but I have final exams, so, for me, tomorrow). I know that’s old-fashioned. Christmas starts earlier and earlier. After Thanksgiving? After Halloween? The day before Labor Day?

But the personal presents aside, December does conjure up feelings of “giving season” to which I am not immune. With so many causes, how do you choose? I guess the decisions can be arbitrary. Here’s mine:

Rosenberg Fund for Children

I started donating three years ago. I was, more than anything else, recognizing the work of Abel Meeropol, who with his wife Anne adopted Ethel and Julius’ sons after the US government executed the parents. Abel had been a teacher - high school English, DeWitt Clinton, up the block from me – (Abel was never a UFT member). He was also a poet, and a songwriter – his most famous work was Strange Fruit. Anyway, donating to indirectly recognize Abel is a little convoluted – he DID help protect children of activists who were being abused by the system – but I think it’s perfectly okay – whatever the reason.

In the intervening years I learned a little more about RFC and its work. And just now I’ve been reading Robert Meeropol’s “An Execution in the Family” – and I was in the chapter on the founding of the Rosenberg Fund for Children when the appeal came in my mail and email. I think I understand better what the organization does, and feel even more motivated to help.

The Rosenberg Fund for Children was established to provide for the educational and emotional needs of children whose parents have suffered because of their progressive activities and who, therefore, are no longer able to provide fully for their children. The RFC also provides grants for the educational and emotional needs of targeted activist youth. Professionals and institutions will be awarded grants to provide services to beneficiaries.

– RFC website

I had been giving late January/early February, but the timing of the appeal worked – I gave. And I’ll donate again on my birthday. Here’s the link: Support the Rosenberg Fund for Children.

The International Dreamers Scholarship Fund

There are probably thousands of good causes to help high school students – I worked from the 1990s as a high school teacher – and this is one of them. It also caught my attention a few years ago, I got tagged on Facebook I think. The organizer is a daughter of a friend – the friend is Fred, daughter Jessica (who I feel like I know a bit, even though we’ve never met).

For over a decade this fund has been supporting students without documentation as they go to college. It supports vulnerable students. And it helps build community (not mine, but that doesn’t matter).

Dear Friends and Family, For the past 10 years, my school has supported a very special project: The International Dreamers Scholarship Fund, which helps undocumented graduates of the International High School at Prospect Heights (the school where I teach) go to college by helping to pay their college tuition. Since we began in the Spring of 2013, we have awarded over 30 scholarships. In January of 2019, the passage of the New York State DREAM Act made state financial aid available to undocumented students who arrived in the country before their 18th birthday. However, these students are still unable to access the federal loans and and grants that so many students need to cover the other costs of their education and are similarly blocked from employment opportunities that might enable them to cover some of those expenses out of pocket. As a result, the International Dreamers Scholarship is committed to continue supporting our most vulnerable students. Please donate below to help support this project that is very near and dear to my heart. Thank you.

– Jessica

And so I started giving a few years ago, and am happy to contribute each year.

Here’s a link to: Support the International Dreamers Scholarship Fund Facebook Page, and another directly to the International Dreamers Scholarship Fund donation page.

Ceasefire Now

Some giving is about a donation. But there is also giving your time, your energy, your voice. In the case of Gaza the need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire is clear.

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And so I give my activism. Some are great organizers. There are many, but I am calling out one: I am amazed at the work that Jewish Voice for Peace has been doing. So important. So impressive. The slogan “Not in our Name” – the high visibility protests. The songs. I am not an organizer, but I can bring my support.

And so I give my voice. Others have bigger audiences, or speak with more clarity, or can share direct experience. But as each individual who opposes the bombing, the killing, the destruction, the hunger – as each one of us gives our voice – it makes it easier for others to join in. I’ve noticed that some don’t try to change my mind, they just ask me to remain silent. No. Remaining silent is not an option. I give my voice.

Children

I guess that’s my theme. This year. I think it’s a good one.

Honestly, in the past I was not moved by the season. Presents? Donations? Bah.

But now, older, in my very very early 60s (that’s what I call 59), it’s different.

So yeah. This is what I did and am doing. Makes me happy that I am making good choices.