Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Contest #3 Winner


Congratulations to Just 1 Good Deeds Contest #3 Winner: Fern C. of PA

You can still watch the inspiring video "Stimulus Package" and let us know what you think. http://bit.ly/WeN0Z
Heres what some people had to say:

"Inspiring because it is not dead ended and keeps on giving. That is real charity." Linda G. NYC

"Meaningul and postive to see people helping each other in a way that makes feel supported and encouraged even if the dollars are a short term relief that won't necessary keep a business from closing. It is true that we often lose sight that every $2 dollars can add up and make a cumulative, measurable difference. " Jackie D. CA

"Its nice to regain faith in the human spirit" Dan L. NJ

"Nice to know that people are doing good deeds" Sharon S. NY

Thank you to all the contestants for participating. Don't forget to "Pay it Forward"

Dear Abby Pay it Forward

Dear Abby: Please let the world know that kind people still exist. I was on my way to two job interviews. Not surprisingly, I was nervous, so before I got off my train, I took my phone out to check the directions to the first one. A short walk later, I reached the subway, but when I went into my purse for my wallet to buy a MetroCard, lo and behold, my wallet and new glasses were missing.

I retraced my steps and ran to the courtesy counter to ask if anyone had turned in my wallet and glass case. The woman in the booth told me the train was still in the station and to hurry there immediately to check for my things. Long story short, no luck.

Heartbroken, I returned to the courtesy desk. Not only would I miss both of my appointments, but I was stranded with no money. I burst into tears, as I explained the situation to the woman in the booth. Abby, she reached into her purse and handed me $7!

"It's all I have right now," she said. "Use it to get to your interviews."

I went to my interviews and aced them both. When I came back to thank her, she was gone, but she had described me to the woman on the next shift who handed me a courtesy ticket home.

Abby, that woman's kindness was overwhelming. And just when the day couldn't get any better, I received a call. A conductor had found my wallet and glasses and would meet me on the train the next day.

I just want to share that kindness can happen when we least expect it. When it happens, we should pay it forward. - S. Smith, Asbury Park, N.J.

Dear S. Smith
: And I know you will. Good deeds are like wildflower seeds. Throw enough of them around and a desert becomes a garden.
Tampa Bay on-line http://bit.ly/eosID

North Dakota sets an example

Fargo, ND and surrounding areas were hit hard and are still at risk, but North Dakota residents are setting an example with acts of random kindness.

"The generosity is so common that even as thousands of people are driven out of their homes by the overflowing Red River, most storm shelters are virtually empty."

"Locals don't consider the outpouring of kindness at all unusual"

See the full story here: http://bit.ly/Ld18

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Good Deeds "Spotlight on Facebook"


The Gown Gemach
Jodi S. of Brooklyn runs this organization and the Facebook group. They not only provide a commnunity service but also give a percentage of proceeds to Charity.
Check them out at: http://go2.me/34p

Do you run a Good Deed organization or have a Good Deed Event you run? Let us know and we'll give you a "Spotlight" and a "Tweet".

Good Deed Inspiration

"When one begins to purposefully perform acts of kindness, the spirit changes and soon doing good deeds becomes a focal point for our life; doing good begins to be the same as feeling good. The periods of emptiness when we search for the 'meaning of it all' begin to fill with acts of kindness."
-Gary Blair
[As posted by: Debbie from Living with Gratitude http://livewithgratitude.blogspot.com/]

The "Postive Patrol"



The Federal Way Boys & Girls Club recently won a Merit Award for their "Positive Patrol" program. The Merit Award is given by BGCA to local clubs for incorporating programs that are fun, creative and effective.

Local News

The Federal Way Boys & Girls Club recently won a Merit Award for their "Positive Patrol" program. The Merit Award is given by BGCA to local clubs for incorporating programs that are fun, creative and effective.


"Positive Patrol" rewards kids for good deeds
Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Congratulations to the Federal Way Boys & Girls Club for winning a Merit Award for their "Positive Patrol" program. The Merit Award is given by BGCA to Clubs for incorporating programs that are fun, creative and effective.

Last spring, the Federal Way Club started running a program called "Positive Patrol." The program allows Club kids to acknowledge the positive actions of fellow members.

If a member is "caught" doing something good, their name and good deed is written on a piece of paper and placed in a jar. Once a week, three names are drawn and the Club kids who get picked get a special prize. In addition to these weekly treats, every patrol member receives a "Positive Patrol" T-shirt, an official badge and two tickets to the local skating rink.
[As reported by: Federal Way News http://go2.me/34n]

Hollywood promoting good deeds

Jennifer Aniston narrates kids book
Mar 24, 2009, 08:32 AM | by Margeaux Watson

Categories: Books

Jennifer Aniston and her father John (Days of Our Lives) have teamed up to narrate the bonus CD of a new children's book by Nick Katsoris called Loukoumi's Good Deeds. Other celebs who contributed to the project include singer Gloria Gaynor, actress Olympia Dukakis, CBS news anchor Alexis Christoforous, and former American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis. Priced at $15.95, Loukoumi's Good Deeds will be released on April 1 by Dream Day Press/NK Publications, with proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. [EW.com weekly: http://go2.me/34k]

Monday, March 23, 2009

Good Deed Contest #3 - Stimulus Package

Who knew stimulating the economy could lead to so many good deeds. One mans plan brings a smile to so many faces, but especially his employees. Some employees even come back to work for free?


Enjoy this inspiring story and Enter the Just 1 Good Deed Contest #3

Win a beautiful glass Seder Plate for yourself, your parents or your host!
The contest is open to everyone and it’s very simple:

1. Watch the video

2. Read the question written below the video

3. Send us your answer by filling out the form below by March 29, 2009

4. Share this good deed video with your friends and family



Question: What denomination of bills did the Pharmacist give his employees?




Your answer must be received by Sunday March 29, 2009.

The winner will be chosen by lottery from all contestants with the correct answer. On Monday March 30, 2009 we will announce the winner of the beautiful glass Seder Plate made in Israel by SusanArt, a Jerusalem based organization that designs beautiful glassware by employing and training teens at risk from the streets of Jerusalem.

Share your good deeds with us via twitter @just1gooddeed or email: just1gooddeed@gmail.com

Join our facebook group and meet other community members http://go2.me/zP


A Heros Ultimate Good Deed

Do you remember? The attack at Otniel in 2002?

This story and video of Noam Apter is not just about a heroic act, but an example of complete selflessness and self sacrifice. The ultimate good deed.



Sublime Heroism

Lori Lowenthal Marcus

Here's the challenge:
In your last seconds of life, with terrorists spraying bullets at you, would you:

(1) try to kill those who are trying to kill you and all your people?

(2) run for cover rather than be blown apart by bullets? Or

(3) Make Noam's choice, turn your back on the terrorists, even though you have a sidearm, and leap to lock the doors and hurl away the key, so that the murderers cannot kill the dozens of your fellow students in the
room beyond?

We will never know what choice we would make. But we do know what choice Noam Apter made, and he deserves our attention and gratitude. How often does it happen, that a soul is revealed, in its essence? The pure, virtuous soul of Noam Apter was revealed on Friday, December 27, 2002. Most of the world missed that profound moment.

Not a single mainstream media source mentioned Noam's actions, nor even his name, outside of Israel. We are so caught up in the next deaths, the next bombings and the latest number of body parts. When a sublime act of heroism occurs, we don't even notice.

Here's what happened. Listen, remember, and tell the story to others. It deserves to be told.

Boys from the Otniel Yeshiva (religious university) outside of Hebron, were hosting young men from another yeshiva, Har Etzion, for Shabbat. The boys gathered together for Friday evening services, then made their way to the dining hall. Noam Apter, 23, was in charge of the kitchen crew that night. The Otniel boys all take turns cooking and serving. Yehuda Bamberger, 20, and Tzvi Ziman, 18, were also on kitchen duty. So was Gavriel Hotter, only 17, who was waiting for his 18th birthday so that he could officially join in the complete Hesder program.

Otniel and Har Etzion are Hesder Yeshivas. Students in these schools, although religious, also serve their country with rotations in the Israeli Defense Forces. They alternate Torah study, their religious duty, with military service, their national duty.

Otniel is known as an "artsy" yeshiva, with courses that include drama and dancing. Noam's mother, Pirhiya, recently recalled his entrance interview. Noam and the admissions Rabbi spent the time discussing the book Noam was reading, Catcher in the Rye.

After sunset, the boys streamed into the dining hall. The Otniel hosts were already serving the first course of fish, salads, hummus and tehina. The plates were cleared, and the soup course was underway.

As the crew arranged the soup bowls on the platters, two terrorists dressed in Israeli military uniforms burst into the kitchen through an open service door. Their guns pumped bullets into Tzvi, Gavriel and Yehuda, who were gunned down where they stood. Tens of bullets were found in each of these boys.

But Noam.

Noam, the "one in charge," had a sidearm. But with the bullets slicing the air and his friends, he never turned to fire. Noam lunged toward the door leading to the dining room. Though already shot in the back, Noam managed to lock that door, and hurl the key out of reach. Noam's body was recovered there, at the door, riddled with bullets. But the terrorists could not get through the door to complete their mission: to gun down as many as possible of the dozens of young men inside.

This child of God, this Zionist soldier, with his last breaths, saved the lives of dozens of others, rather than his own, and rather than try to take the lives of the murderers. This is a story of humanity at its apex.

The news reports, the few that ran, referred to Noam Apter as an unnamed
"Yeshiva student" and "settler" who was one of four killed by Palestinians. Of all the print media in the United States, there was exactly one mention of this young man by name. Only The New York Post shared the miracle of Noam with its readers.

I met Noam Apter last summer, when I and several friends went to Israel on a study and solidarity mission. Noam, an adorable young man with an M-16 rifle (it isn't incongruous in Israel), accompanied us as our guard. We were a bunch of middle-aged, fairly knowledgeable, somewhat observant, mostly left-leaning American Jews. But this young man touched us all. I told him to forget his girlfriend, because I have two daughters and I wanted him to marry one of them.

I just spoke with Yossi Apter, Noam's father, to share his grief. During our conversation he remembered Noam told him what I said about my daughters. How sweet, how tragic. That trip to Israel was as close as I will ever get to knowing a hero.

If you share this story, you will be spreading the tiny drop of pure goodness and decency in the sea of madness flowing from the Middle East.

********

postscript: I still think of Noam very often, and always on Shabbat. I think about Noam, and weep, when we sing Etz Chaim.

Lori Lowenthal Marcus

Philadelphia, PA USA


Contest #2 Winner

Congratulations to Michele A. of VA the winner of the Just 1 Good Deed Contest #2

Thank you to all our contestants we hope you enjoyed the Short film Validation. Look for another inspiring video and Contest #3 coming soon!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Rave Reviews - Validation the Short Film

Some Rave reviews of the Short film Validation http://go2.me/zS

Rabbi Dave: "I love the whole thing. What is especially meaningful to me is that he had given up on effecting her after all that work and then in the end he did effect her without even knowing it. Our acts of kindness (good deeds) have far reaching effects on people and in ways we do not know or probably ever will! Keep planting seeds and The Almighty will make them grow and spread."

Mordechai S. of Florida " Great video! I will be showing it to my middle school students as part of a behavior improvement program at Hillel Day school of Boca Raton!?

Mordechai H. of NY: "It was a very cute story that really drove home the message of treating each other well and validating the other and the impact that can make."

Michelle A. of VA "Made me remember that if you say a kind word to someone, it is echoed through others."

If you haven't seen it yet don't miss out, click here: http://go2.me/zS

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Chicken Lady

Great Aish online movie clip about a one woman chesed machine. Please spread this good deed video around.


Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Purim Act of Kindness #1 - Giving Food Packages (Mishloach Manot)

When the Town Robber Gave Charity



Just in from our Twitter friend @dovidzak another great good deed story

When the Town Robber Gave Charity http://go2.me/32K

Good Deed "Spotlight Story"

Our Thanks to Debra from Yedei Chesed for her inspiring response (below) to one of our previous posts


I am Debra (Wallin) Kapnick- former New England NER NCSY'er and Regional President (1971-1976) and later, NER Regional Director(1977-1979) I have been in the field of Jewish Special Education for the past 32 years, and have been blessed to see these kind of good deeds each and every day with my special needs students and clients. 

Thirty two years ago, when I began to work in the field we had a difficult task ahead of us, as acceptance of these individuals within the community was not on the level we have achieved today. As a counselor for a number of years, and eventually, as the head counselor at Camp HASC, I was privileged to see campers with special needs reach out to fellow campers who were unable to complete a task. 

These moments always brought a lump to my throat- a camper holding up a lower functioning camper during roller skating or showing another the correct place in the Siddur during davening. The counselors I worked with over the years were heroes of kind deeds, as they gently coaxed and encouraged each camper to achieve their fullest potential. Whether participating in a bunk night, Color War cheering competition, or just comforting those who had no guests on Visiting Day, these teenagers and young adult counselors were heroes of a multitude of good deeds. 

I am fortunate to still be close with many of these counselors who have turned into the leaders and role models within the greater Jewish community today- and many are still actively working in the field of Jewish special education.

As the curriculum Director at Chush/The Jewish Center for Special Education in Brooklyn, I watched the coming together of staff members from very diverse segments of the Jewish community- Chassidish, Litvish, and modern, all pooling their talents and efforts on behalf of the special students within our school. 

One recalls Rebbes who took students to visit bedridden classmates, teachers who took their classes to participate in Tzedakah projects for other worthy causes, and staff taking students into their homes for Shabbos and Yom Tov. They too, are examples of what the Jewish community, and the world, could accomplish if people truly put aside their philosophical differences and worked to make a difference for others.

Today, I am honored to serve as the Director of WorkPoint/Day Habilitation at Yedei Chesed, an agency in the Monsey, New York area that provides advocacy on behalf of the developmentally disabled- serving a diverse range of disabilities and a population including infants through adults. Again, I am lucky enough to witness each and every day a multitude of kind acts being performed. 

My staff members reflect a cross-section of the Jewish community and their backgrounds widely differ. Yet watching them mentor our special needs adults is an honor. They gently coax the best behavior and some verbal response from a client who was previously perceived as unmanageable. They encourage kindness by taking these adults to prepare and deliver meals for hospitalized patients in conjunction with Bikur Cholim of Rockland County. They take these young people out into the community- and give them a chance to socialize, work, and enjoy educational and recreational activities. Isn't this perhaps, the greatest kindness of all- allowing someone to simply feel that they are "just like" everyone else in their own community? 

I truly feel blessed that G-d has allowed me to work with these Heroes of Kindness... and I pray that He will give all of us the strength to continue to perform these daily acts of kindness for many years to come.

Do you have an inspiring good Deed story to share about yourself, a friend an organization? Email it to us at just1gooddeed@gmail.com and you may be the next Just1gooddeed "Spotlight Story"

One Good Deed Deserves Another


http://go2.me/32G

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Good Deed Contest #2 - Validation

If you only watch one video in your whole life - we want to recommend this video of personal empowerment and love - this is a life-changing short film that should be emailed to everyone you know!

Enjoy the short film and Enter the Just 1 Good Deed Contest #2

Win a beautiful glass Seder Plate for yourself, your parents or your host!
The contest is open to everyone and it’s very simple:

1. Watch the video

2. Read the question written below the video

3. Send us your answer by filling out the form below by March 22, 2009

4. Share this good deed video with your friends and family








Question: What is the career change made by the validator?






Your answer must be received by Sunday March 22, 2009.

The winner will be chosen by lottery from all contestants with the correct answer. On Monday March 23, 2009 we will announce the winner of the beautiful glass Seder Plate made in Israel by SusanArt, a Jerusalem based organization that designs beautiful glassware by employing and training teens at risk from the streets of Jerusalem.


Share your good deeds with us via twitter @just1gooddeed or email: just1gooddeed@gmail.com

Join our facebook group and meet other community members http://go2.me/zP

Thursday, March 12, 2009

And the winner is....

Michael P. of New Jersey is our Just1gooddeed Contest #1 WINNER!

"I love to hear of or see "ordinary" people doing something good simply because it's good, not knowing what the result might be. When you have the choice or opportunity, take advantage -- don't let it escape! " Michael P. of NJ

Congratulations Michael from everyone at Just1gooddeed

Contest #2 coming soon....

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Kindness 101

During my second year of nursing school our professor gave us a quiz. I breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was a joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade. "Absolutely," the professor said. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello." I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. ~Joann C. Jones

Monday, March 9, 2009

Drive-In Good Deed

Just received the following tweet from one of our twitters:

"I went to pay at a drive thru, only to be told the person ahead of me paid for us both. I did the same for the next car"

Isn't it great how a good deed is contagious?

Please share good deeds that you heard about, experienced or were involved in and don't forget to post your pictures and videos of people giving out Mishloach Manot on Purim on our facebook group - http://tinyurl.com/d9lshq.




A Good Deed

Good deeds are done by many different people for many different reasons.
Here is a couple that set up a personal good deed and invited others to join in

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=65933321413

One womans journey

http://1000mitzvahs.wordpress.com/

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Just 1 Good Deed Facebook Group

Just 1 Good Deed is on Facebook and we have a request

Take pictures or video of you, your family, your friends, strangers delivering Mishloach Manot for Purim and post them on the just1gooddeed Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=67202324824#

Any age, location and character is welcome to post.

Show us what you've got!

A Tradition of Good Deeds

Check out this 11 year tradition. Keep up the good work!

Solomon Schechter Day School in Newton holds annual day of good deeds - Waltham, MA - The Daily News Tribune

Does your school, organization or social group have a Good Deed tradition? Tell us about it at just1gooddeed@gmail.com

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Help Others.org: Miles of Smiles -- A Kindness Story

Good deed for the day - Smile

Some good deeds are just simple and cost no more than a second of our time. This group spent a little more than a second, but found that an unexpected smile can go a long way for all involved

Help Others.org: Miles of Smiles -- A Kindness Story

Enjoy the story and smile!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Focusing on Good Deeds

Today I decided to do a google search on "good deed contests". 

Well look what I found...

It was such an uplifting sight to see pages of google reslts for contests focused on spreading good deeds.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Good Deed Contest #1

With the Jewish holiday of Purim approaching and the spirit of chesed/good deeds and charity, we wanted to kick off the new month with a small good deed contest to get people into the spirit of chesed and good deeds. 

It's simple, it costs nothing, you can win a great prize and you help generate an atmosphere of chesed/good deeds by spreading this information on to others.

THE GOOD DEED CONTEST INFO.

The good deed contest to win a beautiful glass Seder Plate (a perfect gift for your loved ones or your Pesach hosts) is very simple:

1. Watch this video 
2. Read the question written below the video
3. Send us your answer either via twitter (@just1gooddeed) or email (just1gooddeed@gmail.com) - all info. is noted below the video as well
4. VERY IMP: Please tell us your name and location
5. Share this good deed video with your friends and family

Send in all your answers by Purim day, March 10th to win the beautiful glass Seder plate.

On Shushan Purim, March 11th, we will have a lottery and choose one winner from all the people who submitted the correct answer. The chosen name will receive a beautiful glass Seder Plate made in Israel by SusanArt, a Jerusalem based organization that designs beautiful glassware by employing and training teens at risk from the streets of Jerusalem. The winner can use this beautiful glass seder plate for themselves or use as a Pesach gift for family or friends.

On March 12th, we will announce the winner of the good deed contest.

Click here to see the beautiful glass seder plate, watch the good deed video, take part in the contest to win and share this good deed video with everyone you can.  

If you have a few minutes to come up with your own good deed story to share, then we would  love to post that as well and send it out for all to see. The goal is to create an atmosphere of good deeds and chesed, join us in making this Adar a month full of good deeds.