Turning the World Right Side Up
Purim & the Strategy of Generosity
A Jewish Social Justice Weekend featuring Danny Siegel
March 9 – 11, 2012
Presented in partnership with
The holiday of Purim is full of the upside-down, and inspires us to have the courage to do our part to set it right side up. There is a connection between Purim's traditions of mishloach manot (sending gifts) and matanot l'evyonim (gifts to the poor), and the strategy of generosity that is a core element of Jewish tradition. In Judaism, the strategy of generosity is called by many names, including tzedakah (justice or charity), gemilut hasidim (giving kindness), and tikkun olam (fixing the world).
In our giving of gifts on Purim, we enact the strategy of generosity, and in the larger sense of pursuing social justice, we recognize the need for an inversion in society, a turning upside down of the inequalities we see. By engaging in social action on Purim, we hope to erase the hierarchy of the haves and the have-nots. Esther is the heroine of the Purim story because she used kindness and generosity to fight against hatred and callousness. Purim celebrates the story of the human courage to stand up for what is right. For a special Purim weekend, we will emulate and celebrate Esther's victory, in ages past, today, and in times to come.
We envision a community service project originating at Isabella Freedman, delivering our gifts in the spirit of generosity to the broader community. We want to represent the Jewish community that is giving, loving, generous, tolerant, open-minded, and creative. We interpret the Purim story as a victory for peaceful power, and seek to turn the world right-side-up again.
We're also partnering with UJA-Federation of NY for Pack It Up For Purim, a project with AmeriCorps and the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty to create food packages for a food pantry near Isabella Freedman.
If you're new to Isabella Freedman, check out our Frequently Asked Questions for information about where we're located, arrival and departure times, what to bring, etc.
Special Presenters
Danny Siegel is one of the world's greatest experts on microphilanthropy. For more than 30 years he has lectured in hundreds of communities on the topic of personalized tzedakah and tikkun olam (fixing the world). He is the founder of and was chairman of Ziv Tzedakah Fund, which distributed nearly $14,000,000 from 1981 until 2008 when it ceased operations. Learn more about the work and teachings of Danny Siegel at Mitzvah Heroes Fund, Inc.
Registration Information
All-inclusive prices start at $208 per person and are based on double-occupancy. If you are coming alone and request a shared room, you will be paired with a roommate of the same gender.
You will receive a confirmation email once you have registered and made a payment online or by phone. If you do not receive this email within 24 hours of registering, please call us at 800.398.2630 x4.
Register by February 10 and save 10%*
*The early registration discount cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts.
