Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/horiavarlan/4266655755/

It all started with the late Motti Weiner, who ran the Esra second hand shops. He created a project of giving toys that the shops received to the children in Meir hospital. He visited the hospital, met the doctors and nurses and saw how important it was for the children to each be given a toy or game. The small and medium size toys go to Meir hospital to all their pediatric departments. The three Esra stores save the toys for this purpose. Later, Ed and Betty Wolf perpetuated the project and even involved their family and friends from the States who sent donations to buy toys for sick children for this Esra project, as well as baby and children’s clothes.

Migdal Ohr, a nonprofit organization headed by Rabbi Grossmann, which has 27 "homes" for over 6000 homeless children from all backgrounds, from birth to age 18, heard about the Esra toy project. They contacted the Wolfs. “At the time”, says Betty, “it so happened that we had big soft toys. We took the toys from our home where we had them all packed and ready, and delivered them to Migdal Ohr, where we found out a great deal about this wonderful organization, and they were very grateful.”

Attached is a thankyou letter the Wolfs received from Rabbi Grossman:

“Dear Eddie and Betty Wolf,

Please allow me to express my deepest appreciation to you and your dear friends who have helped us so kindly in this national project of providing toys and clothing to those who are in such desperate need. There is no way to describe the true happiness and tremendous excitement that this project has generated amongst the recipients.

We have a very holy tradition that says, shlucho shel adom kmoto – the emissary of a person is like himself, which means if I ask someone to do a mitzvah on my behalf it is as if I am doing the mitzvah myself. So too, because you have entrusted us to help us take care of Israel's needy children it is as if you are personally looking after them.

On behalf of those who will greatly benefit from your donation, I once again thank you from the bottom of my heart and would like to bless you and wish you much success, health and happiness in the future.

With best wishes and regards,

Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossmann, Migdal Ohr”