| Dear friends and family,
In Judaism, Bar Mitzvah is the term to describe the coming of age of a Jewish boy. I now become morally responsible for my own actions.
One of the main obligations is Tzedakah, commonly translated as charity. It is a fundamental part of the Jewish way of life and to give to the needy is not viewed as a generous act; it is simply an act of justice and righteousness and a way to express gratitude for our many blessings.
In this spirit, I have teamed up with Turk Pipkin and the Nobelity project.
In 2005, while filming his documentary Nobelity, Turk traveled to Kenya for a first-hand look at the successes of the Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt movement, both of whom had recently been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in planting 30 million trees in Kenya while empowering millions of women and their families. As part of the project, Turk planted trees with the children of the Mahiga primary school near the town of Mweiga. 40 Percent of people living in this area live below the poverty line, or on less than 59 cents per day! When Turk learned that the children of the school were walking a mile and a half each day to carry water to the school to plant the young trees in the schoolyard, he asked what the kids used for drinking water. The answer – the same distant creek – water that is often polluted and makes the students sick with dysentery and cholera.
Meeting these children was one of the key inspirations behind the founding of the education and action nonprofit, The Nobelity Project, which is dedicated to a better world for children everywhere.
The Nobelity project is currently working to give the kids of the Mahiga School a better shake in Life. In Hebrew, the numerical value of the word “Life” is 18. I am committed to donate 18 percent of my Bar Mitzvah gift money because I belief I can make a genuine and lasting difference in the lives of these kids whose hopes lie in the future. With the raised money, improvements such as rainwater collection and storage systems, electrical services, computers, as well as other much needed educational materials and supplies will be put in place.
You can help me realize my goal. I will also be selling copies of the fabulous and touching documentary Nobelity during my festivities and at my father’s office. Each film costs $25.00 and $15.00 will go straight to the school. Separate donations are welcome as well and are tax-deductible. They can be made out to “The Nobelity Project” and send to Julian Kunik 3105 Mistywood Circle, Austin, TX 78746. I have provided a detailed list of what is needed and the approximate cost.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY !!!
|
