The Passover Mission

By: Pnina Souid

Under the theme “Short is the New Long,” Magen David Yeshiva High School partnered with Zichron Menachem to bring the annual Hair Drive – A Cut Above at Hadass Style. Girls grew their hair in order to donate it to be used for children’s wigs for the children of the Zichron Menachem Center (www.zichron.org). Zichron Menachem was created by Rabbi Haim and Mrs. Miri Erenthal in memory of their son, Menahem, who battled cancer for 15 years. Zichron Menachem Center cares for young cancer patients in Israel and their families with classes, activities, counseling, special trips outside of Israel, and anything and everything that provides support and gives hope to the children and their families.

Hadass and her staff at 1705 East 4^thStreet gave free haircuts to the young women who came to donate hair throughout the morning and afternoon on Hair Day. Women who came in the morning were also treated to a mini spa day. Hair donated has to be at least eight inches, and must be of a suitable type.

Watching the young women participate in the precious missva was touching, and even young girls of eight and nine could appreciate what it meant to give a part of themselves in order to make another child to feel happy.

The hair collection was inspired by a survivor of childhood cancer in the community who was looking for a way to give back and to give to the children of Israel (there are already organizations in the US which arrange these donations). Last year, Magen David High School organizers thought it would be a one-time event, but it proved so successful that they decided to make it an annual drive.

The organizers of the event – Magen David Yeshiva High School students Lottie Bildirici, Berta Yatcha, Sarit Gigi, Orly Khafif, Lenora Ashkenazie, and Frieda Benzaken – pointed out that the event had other important sponsors, including Pomegranate, which donated sushi, Crawfords, which donated Lotti Biscotti, and of course Hadass who went well above and beyond the call of duty to accommodate this special event. All those donating hair were given a t-shirt with the motto, “Short is the New Long.”

Avigail Weinfeld, a member of Zichron Menachem’s staff in Israel who was in attendance at the drive, encourages any schools or organizations who would like to sponsor a hair-donating event, or have any questions about the organization, to contact her at avigail@zichron.org.