I hope you had a happy Passover. In the last few months, you’ve received two appeals from Kulanu – one for the nutrition program in the Abayudaya schools (http://cyan.olm.net/~kulanu/b2/?p=885) and one for an online tribute journal to show our appreciation to Laura Wetzler (http://cyan.olm.net/~kulanu/b2/?p=940), our coordinator for the Abayudaya, who has worked so tirelessly on behalf of the schools and a host of other projects. So it seemed logical to couple them together.

Now, when we receive a donation for the school feeding program, your name (and message to Laura if you choose to give us one) will automatically be included in the online tribute book. If you’ve already given a contribution to the nutrition appeal, your name and a message of your choice will appear, as well.

To refresh your memory, I’d like to remind you that for the last year-and-a half, Kulanu has been providing funds for a simple breakfast and lunch for more than 700 students in the Abayudaya elementary and high school. Before this, students used to come to school hungry or late as they searched for food. The food at school has made a huge difference in the ability of students to learn effectively. Absenteeism and dropout rates have been reduced drastically, while discipline, concentration, and mental health have improved tremendously according to school administrators. But funds are sorely needed as enrollment at both schools has increased. These students represent the future of the community. We can’t let them down after such a successful start, can we?

For those who have responded to our nutrition appeal, we can’t thank you enough for your generosity. What better way can we show our appreciation for Laura’s efforts than to donate to a cause that is so dear to her heart? For those who can afford a larger gift, we have a special request. The Estelle Friedman Gervis Family Foundation has once again come to our aid by offering a $10,000 challenge grant for new or increased contributions between $500 and $1200. We aspire to meet that challenge, which would go a long way toward the $30,000 a year needed to feed all the students. But, again, every donation counts and will help us continue to feed the Abayudaya students and their Christian and Muslim classmates.

You can send your donation and message by mail or on-line. If by mail, please fill in the form below and send it to us by June 1, 2011. Make your check payable to Kulanu and mail it with the form below to: Harriet Bograd, President, Kulanu, 165 West End Ave., 3R, New York, NY 10023.

To donate online, go to kulanu.org/donate. See contribution levels below. In the comment field, please write “Nutrition/Tribute” followed by any text of your ad for Laura (limit 100 words for full-page ads, 50 words for smaller ads). If you have any questions, or to send any images for your ad, write to: wetzlertribute@kulanu.org

If you have already donated to the nutrition program and want to send a message to Laura, simply send your ad copy to wetzlertribute@kulanu.org.