Eliza Hurwitz, Congregation Shaare Emeth

Eliza, daughter of Ellie DesPrez and Seth Hurwitz of St. Louis County, chose to support the work of Magdalene St. Louis, which is due to open in the spring in Old North St. Louis, near Crown Candy Kitchen. Magdalene is a two-year residential program that will offer women who have survived prostitution, addiction, abuse, sex trafficking and/or homelessness a place to live and receive education and job training free of charge. The program was inspired by the Magdalene/Thistel Farms in Nashville, Tenn. 

Last winter Eliza’s mother, Ellie, attended a benefit for Magdalene and came home very excited to share its mission with her daughter. This was exactly the kind of organization Eliza was looking to assist. “I chose this agency because I believe the problem of human trafficking is serious and that awareness needs to be spread,” she said. “I am glad that there are organizations that help women who have been victims of human trafficking.”

Ellie contacted the board’s president and family friend, Rev. Mike Kinman, who suggested various ways Eliza could help, including the notion of knitting something soft for the home. Eliza decided to knit blankets. She wanted an activity that was a collaborative effort among her family, friends and the knitting group of Congregation Shaare Emeth.

With a goal of making one blanket, 49 blocks, Eliza ended up with enough blocks for four blankets. She asked family and friends for donations of 7-inch by 9-inch hand-knitted or crocheted blocks. Over 30 girls and women, ages 8 to 80, contributed, from as near as her own congregation and as far away as England. Eliza has spent hours upon hours seaming the blocks together and will complete her project over winter break. 

“The most memorable part of my volunteer experience was seaming the blankets, because I got to do it with my mother and I was able to see the result of the combined efforts of so many amazing people,” said Eliza, a student at John Burroughs School. 

And, what did Eliza learn from her project? “Being patient is important,” she said. “I had to stay patient and wait for the final result from the squares to the larger blanket. Every little bit helps. Everyone who contributed a square, helped to make a larger blanket. Every little bit is helpful.”

Eliza has already delivered the first two blankets to Reverend Mike. He expressed many thanks for her efforts on behalf of Magdalene House.