Request from a friend

A wonderful human being, the brightest spot in a white space, fellow cyclist Rose Long, whom I hold dear in my heart, has suffered a tragic accident from a hit and run driver while riding in Vermont. The descriptions of her facial injuries are beyond what my soul seems to be able to bear and share here for this young woman. As I understand it, after flipping over the car that hit her, Rose landed on her face on a permanent bicycle rack on the street. Long-term repetitive surgeries will be necessary.

My tears of sadness here are not enough to heal Rose's misfortune. In addition to hospitalization, Rose has had to take the semester off from UVM and in doing so, has not received grant money used for rent and living expenses and is presently living on donations, mostly from fellow college students and college cyclists whom we all know do not have pockets, let alone deep ones.

I can think of no kinder, more gentle person to write and ask for your help in whatever way possible; to share Rose's web site <roselong.com> with as many people as possible so we can reach out with heartfelt compassion knowing that we, as riders, parents of riders, or just parents and human beings, have often narrowly missed being subjected to the same meaningless acts of cruelty that have befallen dear Rose. I can think of no person who deserved this less.

I am asking that you take this message of love and caring from all who know Rose to your own heart and your respective team's heart and colleague's hearts and contribute, giving what you can, whether that be a post for well wishes on her website, or a contribution for the things we all take for granted, a roof over our head and food to eat. Perhaps, together, we can right an unthinkable, tragic wrong. May the ultimate reason for all of this to be a renewed opening of our own hearts with love and compassion to a friend and human being with great light who needs it most, and perhaps, greater than us, has been willing to share her light with those in need. Please, find a way to give back to Rose.

With heartfelt appreciation and loving-kindness to Rose,

Bob

Support for a friend

I am forwarding this email from a dear friend who is embarking on a trip and fund raising effort for a noble cause. Please read below. Thanks.

Ross

I am going to Israel this November on a very special trip, and I want to take you with me! I am traveling with Rabbis for Human Rights – North America, an organization that works to protect the rights of all – Jews and Arabs alike – in Israel and the West Bank. We will be visiting with the leaders and members Rabbis for Human Rights and other Israeli human rights groups like Betzelem, the Israeli Human Rights organization, Machsom Watch, women who witness the treatment of Palestinians at checkpoints, Shovrim Shtika, soldiers who break the silence about human rights abuses and many others. Rabbis for Human Rights and these groups are partners dedicated to realizing the founding vision of Israel to be a state based on the prophetic ideals of justice freedom and peace. As Israel celebrates its 60^th anniversary, I am going to Israel to express my solidarity with their inspiring vision and the courageous work of these Israelis.

One of the most important events on this trip will be the planting of trees in Israel and on the West Bank as part of Planting Justice: The Two Trees Campaign of Rabbis for Human Rights. These will be trees of life hope and peace, trees planted with the intention of building a future where both Israelis and Palestinians will enjoy security, dignity and peace.

And this is how I'd like to take you with me: I hope you will want to be one of my trip supporters, and by extension, a supporter of the courageous and righteous work of Rabbis for Human Rights and its partners by making a donation to the Two Trees Campaign. Our group hopes to give Rabbis for Human Rights $36,000 raised from our friends, family and community. As part of my commitment, I've set a goal of raising $1,000 for Rabbis for Human Rights before I leave. You can give your contribution in honor or memory of someone and Rabbis for Human Rights will send the honoree a certificate. By participating in this way, you will be planning the trees with me. As another way of taking you with me on this journey, our group will send you a report on our trip when we return.

Below you will find a flyer about the Two Trees Campaign and a contribution form. You can also find out more about the campaign and make a donation online by visiting: http://www.rhr-na.org/story/two-trees-campaign-launched

Please let me know if you make the donation online so I can acknowledge your gift and count it towards my fundraising goal.

Please consider making a gift (multiples of $18) to help me meet my goal of raising $1,000 before I leave in November. [I will greatly appreciate any amount you can give.] It would be wonderful to take you with me to Israel in this way.

Thanks so much for considering my request. For more information about the work of Rabbis for Human Rights please visit www. rhr-na.org

and www.rhr.israel.net

B'virkat Shalom-Salaam/Blessings for Peace,

Phyllis

April: Charity of the Month

The Center for Acupuncture has chosen it's first charity. In light of current events, we have decided to donate to the International Campaign for Tibet. Information on this organization can be found on its website as well as a list of some of their projects and its mission.

Center for Acupuncture Gives Back

The Center for Acupuncture is pleased to announce its new charitable donation policy. Each month, beginning in April, the Center for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in Westfield, New Jersey will choose a different charity and donate $1 from each treatment in its busiest week of the month to said charity.

The Center for Acupuncture will post in its offices and website/blog information about each charity that it chooses. Final decisions about the charities chosen will be made by myself and my wife, Ann, but we strongly encourage patients and anyone so inclined to let their recommendations be known. We plan on choosing from local, national and international charities.

Information on our first charity is coming soon......