Jeremy Schuver, Congregation Shaare Emeth

Focusing on a Jewish cause or organization was an important factor in selecting a mitzvah project for Jeremy, son of Erin and Steven Schuver of Clayton. After discussing several options with his parents, he immediately chose the FIDF, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, because he liked what the organization is all about.

FIDF supports, both emotionally and financially, the children of parents in the Israeli army who have died while serving their country. For example, this summer the organization is sending 40 Israeli children, who are of the bar/bat mitzvah age like Jeremy, to Camp Chi in Wisconsin. The goal at this camp is to give the kids a unique and enjoyable Jewish summer camp experience far away from the daily grief of war and loss.

Jeremy‘s family and friends became involved in his project by participating in two ways. The first was to contribute money to FIDF. It was quite a success in that he raised about $1,800 to benefit these children. “The other great way to help was for people to write letters to the children who in turn would read them when they come to camp this summer here in the U.S. These letters provided encouragement that they were not alone in their struggles and that people really cared about their well-being,” said Jeremy”s mother.

A student at Wydown Middle School in Clayton, Jeremy plans to visit Camp Chi this summer to meet the campers and see first hand how FIDF helps these children.

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, headquartered in New York City, was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors to provide for the well-being of the men and women who serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as well as the families of fallen soldiers. FIDF initiates and helps support social, educational, cultural and recreational programs and facilities for the young men and women soldiers of Israel who defend the Jewish homeland. FIDF also provides support for the families of fallen soldiers. For more information about FIDF, go to www.fidf.org.