Wednesday, June 06, 2007

We're Proud!


Our first grade daughter surprised us a few weeks ago when she announced she wanted her long hair cut. And not only cut short, but she was insistent that she wanted her hair cut so she could donate it to Zichron Menachem -- the Israel Association for the the Support and Assistance of Children with Cancer and their Families"

Zichron Menachem provides wigs to children undergoing chemotherapy who have lost their hair.

We never asked her if she wanted to do this.

It was her idea, her initiative.

And her hair was cut short, and we mailed her braid to Zichron Menachem.

My daughter received the following letter and certificate from Zichron Menachem a few days ago.


Dear Daughter of the Muqata,

Yes, yes, I mean you. You, who faithfully grew your hair for a long a time and then cut it short (and sometimes, even shorter than you would have liked), just so your hair would meet the criteria of Zichron Menachem, just so you could donate it to sick children. You just wanted to aid children that were in a bad way.

When their hair started to fall out, in a bad way.

That is the first actual sign which proves to them that they are sick -- with the terrible disease known as cancer, and breaks them emotionally.

And not only that, but when they suddenly see large faces looking back at them in the mirror. Too large. Missing too much. And at that critical moment, what is missing has a tremendous impact.

That is the point where they meet your hair. Your noble act returns their faces to them. Their self respect. Their self-confidence that everything "will be ok" and "I'm still myself despite everything."

Your valiance is noble!

I want to thank you for your partnership with Zichron Menachem -- for helping make a very difficult time, a bit easier. And I want you to know that how successful your effort is, every time I see a bashful smile from those mirrors, trying to love what they see. And they succeed.

There are other ways to contribute to Zichron Menachem. Visit our internet site: zichron.org

Sincerely,

Efrat Luxenberg
Public Relations
efrat@zichron.org

Our first grade daughter was very proud to receive her certificate, and started to write on it in pen, "For Sick Children with Cancer" -- but we stopped her as soon as we noticed... I think we'll ask Zichron Menachem for another certificate to put away for her, and let her finish writing on the original.

In any event - we're very proud of our daughter.

May she continue to do many more mitzvot of chessed and kindness.

The Muqata Family.








Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael

31 comments:

the sabra said...

wow



but why should i be surprised when it is the kids who have the innocence and purity and goodness that they have?

may this act bring moshiach already when we will never need these holy organizations ever again.

Anonymous said...

Yet another reason why the entire Muqata clan rocks!

Just goes to show that you and the Mrs. are doing a great job!

Sarah Likes Green said...

that is such a great thing :)
you're clearly doing a good job as role models for your kids.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Nice job. You should be really proud. Both of my girls combined don't have even half that much hair on their head ;)

Jameel @ The Muqata said...

If anything, 99.9% of credit for child raising goes to my wife.

She's the one who deserves the accolades.

Shira Salamone said...

What a maaseh tov (good deed). Kudos to your daughter, and to your wife and you for raising a mentsch.

Scraps said...

That's amazing. You have a very, very special daughter! :)

Anonymous said...

One of my daughter's did that as well but she was already in fourth or fifth grade. This is unbelievable coming from a first grader. Yasher koach and though you say the credit goes to your wife, your daughter is the spitting image of you.

mevaseretzion said...

Heart-warming. What a wonderful tzedaka idea!

Annie said...

That is so sweet. A lot of my friends have done the American equivalent (locks of love) and cut off huge amounts of hair for it.

Liza said...

Wow. Thank you for sharing such an inspirational story. You and your wife have obviously done a wonderful job with your children. Kol hakavod to you, but especially to your daughter.

Rafi G. said...

did Jameel also cut his hair for this charity? How was a Jameel a role model in this tremendous act of charity and generosity by his daughter? I suspect it is despite Jameel, rather than because of Jameel....
:-)

Jack Steiner said...

That is something to be quite proud of.

Anonymous said...

Well, the Mrs. @ the Muqata is indeed one of those super-moms, somehow managing to find time for just about everything. The Muqata clan is certainly special!

MoChassid said...

very beautiful post. What a special girl.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, Jameel.
Your daughter has a noble heart.
Much nachas!

Lion of Zion said...

"If anything, 99.9% of credit for child raising goes to my wife."

and the other %0.1?

Anonymous said...

What a lovely mitzvah. Mazal tov on a super kid!

Anonymous said...

Jameel, you really can be proud of your daughter and also of the chinuch in your home which obviously provided the correct background. What an eshet chayil you have raised!

Anonymous said...

dY9LLF The best blog you have!

Anonymous said...

AIKcHK Magnific!

Anonymous said...

Good job!

Anonymous said...

Magnific!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog.

Anonymous said...

Please write anything else!

Anonymous said...

Magnific!

Anonymous said...

Hello all!

Anonymous said...

Thanks to author.

Anonymous said...

Good job!

Anonymous said...

X5vH1b write more, thanks.

Kamagra said...

Nice job. You should be really proud. Both of my girls combined don't have even half that much hair on their head, i think that this blog is one of the best that i have read because the information is very good.

Search the Muqata

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails