Lake Champlain Ferry - April 2006
January 2007
Hi my name is Linda Cohen. I lost my father, Peter Rabow in December 2006 and decided to take some time reflecting this profound transition in my life. The experience of losing a parent I have discovered is very significant and effects us on a deep level. During my reflection, I began thinking about the word mitzvah. Prior to my father’s death, I discussed with him the idea of donating money in his memory to a charity that was performing mitzvahs. I suggested an organization I was familiar with called Ziv Tzedakah. I felt this would be a wonderful tribute to my father in lieu of flowers.
A few nights ago I had an idea wondering how long it would take for someone (like me) to perform 1000 mitzvahs or commandments. I wondered if I could do it in a year or less. I figured this would be a wonderful way to honor my fathers memory. I will keep you posted on the mitzvahs we do (my family would like to take part in this with me.)
Before we get started though, I want to give some background on the word mitzvah.
Mitzvah (Hebrew: מצווה, IPA: [ˈmɪtsvə], “commandment”; plural, mitzvot; from צוה, tzavah, “command”) is a word used in Judaism to refer to (a) the commandments, of which there are 613, given in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) or (b) any Jewish law at all. The term can also refer to the fulfilment of a mitzvah as defined above.
The term mitzvah has also come to express any act of human kindness, such as the burial of the body of an unknown person. According to the teachings of Judaism, all moral laws are, or are derived from, divine commandments.
This will be a learning process for me as well since I generally know what human kindnesses are but as of yet am not versed on all of the 613 mitzvahs. I will need to learn them and know what they are. This is very exciting and I am looking forward to a year filled with human kindnesses numbering many more than 1000.
If you would like to support this project, do your own mitzvahs and then let me know about.
November 2007
December 1st will be the year anniversary of my father’s death. I started this project last January and hoped to complete my 1000 mitzvahs in a year. I am currently at almost 500 mitvzahs. The journey in this project has been incredible. I have thought so much more about gratitude and acts of kindnesses, I have shared this idea and my project with my kids, my husband, my parents, teachers, friends and even strangers. The mitzvahs themselves have all been little, small doings, however collectively their has been a power in this project and I feel as though it has taught me so much. I will continue this project until I reach 1000 which I predict will likely be another 7-10 months (if the past several months are the prediction for that). I have loved every part of this experience and I know for certain that my dad and I are in this journey together somehow. I think about him alot and get to talk about him as well and for that I am quite grateful.
January 2008
A year ago this week I began this blog. I remember the night after my husband and I chose my blog name and I had written my first entry I wrote an email to several close friends. I was nervous about what they would think and I didn’t want to come across as being a braggart. The next month I stood up at my networking group and announced that I was taking a spiritual sabbatical from my business and had begun a blog to do 1000 mitzvahs. The feedback immediately for this project has been incredible. I have gotten email from friends, family and strangers with support. They have written that my project has inspired them as well as motivated many of them to do their own mitzvahs. I gave a speech about my blog in my Toastmasters group and an old mom’s club friend who is a journalist wrote an article for our local paper about my project. It’s funny now because I realize that what started out as a small idea has really become something that is truly resonating for me. I feel as though somehow this has become my authentic self. All of the acts of doing the mitzvahs, blogging about them and speaking about this with others has helped me so much this year. This week, I attended a seminar called “Being your own Personal Best”. We were asked to fill out a sheet on intention and asked what our intention was at this time. I wrote that I intended to write a book and become a public speaker. So now I have announced that to the world and I intend to begin to figure out what that actually means. I believe that my journey can help others find a positive way to approach a loss in our lives by doing something to honor your loved one and help you heal in the process. Here’s to others joining me in changing the world one mitzvah at a time.
NOTE: It is with regret that I share the news I found out this winter. Ziv Tzedakah will be officially closing in the next several months. This has been such an amazing organization and while we can still donate to the charities that Ziv has supported it will have to be directly with the organization not through Ziv.
June 2008
It has been a year and a half since I began my mitzvah blog and I have just completed my 700th mitzvah. After returning to work last year, I realized that I wasn’t blogging nearly the same amount as I had been on my sabbatical. I still do mitzvahs but I know that I don’t always remember to track them. I have become much more aware though of having the opportunity to perform a mitzvah and I am always grateful when that occurs. I am still working to complete my goal of 1000 mitzvahs and hope that the continued journey will be both educational and a growth opportunity.
January 2009
I am almost at my two year anniversary and nearing my 900th mitzvah. I have decided to begin publically speaking about my own experience taking on this mitzvah project and all that it has taught me. I hope that I will inspire others to realize that even ordinary people can make a difference in our world. The little things we do make a huge difference and we should never diminish the value of a kind word or gesture. I expect that I will learn from others possibly more than I will share when I begin to speak about my journey. I am excited about the new possibilities.
P.S. My husband asked me recently what I am going to do once I hit the 1000 mark. My answer, Keep going. Here’s to 100,000! Anyone want to join me on the journey?
May 2009
It was clear that we would finish the 1000 mitzvah project this month. I was not completely eager to hit the goal. The mitzvah project has been so much a part of my life for the past two years, that I was sort of sad to see it all end. I ended the project with a 1000th Mitzvah Celebration at the Sunshine Pantry, a local food bank, on May 18th. My goal was to collect 1000 bags of food. Margie Boule columnist from the Oregonian, wrote a wonderful column in our Sunday paper.
The day of the event, I arrived at the Sunshine pantry around 12 noon, they had already received more than 50 bags of food. It was absolutely amazing. The volunteers and Sharon Strauss, director of the Sunshine Pantry worked tirelessly all day long sorting and shelving the food brought in. That evening friends and family joined us for a celebration and the local 11pm news also ran a short segment.
In the end, we didn’t reach our goal of 1000 bags of food. However, it would be hard to call the day a failure, quite the opposite. We all felt that the event had been a tremendous success. We received approximately 500 bags of food and we estimate that at about 2,000 lbs of food. That’s alot of food!
From here, I am still figuring out what to do next. I am working on a book proposal about my mitzvah project and will soon be sharing it with an agent. I will continue to blog about other mitzvah heros I meet. Beyond that we’ll see!
22 Comments
January 22, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Last week:
My son Isaac and I feed the homeless at Tranisition House and worked for half a day on MLK at the Oregon Food Bank for Kaiser Permanente’s Day of Service.
I also gave blood last week.
February 11, 2007 at 8:44 am
yasher koach!
you will do it! not to worry.
arnie
March 21, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Dear Linda
It is so easy to go on automatic as we make our way through the day and never stop to appreciate that fact that life is full of blessings. Thanks for helping stop to reflect on that today.
CH
April 3, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Dearest Linda,
I find your mission most heart warming. How proud your father would be.
I like to think of myself as a ‘grass roots’ sort of person, and direct 99.99% of my donations to animal welfare groups (I delude myself into thinking they need my help more than people do). But, you’ve got my attention. I’m in. I’ll be sending a donation in your family’s honor and would like you to know I think sharing this quest with countless strangers is a very generous gift you give to us.
Bless you for making me feel so good. I’ll be looking forward to all of your entries.
Susie Klein
April 5, 2007 at 12:06 am
I love the comments and want to ad mine. Her father would be very proud…and was very proud of her. Now her step mother is extremely proud. I see a wonderful woman who has taken time to realize her power to reach the world, and to improve it, one flower at a time. I love her
May 15, 2007 at 5:14 pm
LINDA: I told you when you 1st showed up at Neveh’s minyan that I believe the souls of the deceased are comforted by saying Kaddish. Looks like your Dad is very
proud, looking down at all your Mitzvahs !
When we eventually conclude saying Kaddish, remind me and I will make a small donation to your Ziv Tzedakah charity.
Mel.
May 23, 2007 at 4:39 am
Linda,
What a wonderful and uplifting endeavor..1000 acts of human kindness in one year. I’ve very much enjoy reading all your Mitzvahs. With all the problems and heartaches in the world..this is such a refreshing and loving site. You are truly your father’s daughter!
I’m sure you won’t remember me, but I use to babysit you and David when you first moved to Vermont to live with your Dad and Alayne. What a lovely young women you have grown up to be. Best wishes for continued success with your project.
An Old Friend
August 10, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Recently I was trying to point out to my youngest daughter how there are so many things in a day we can do to make life pleasant for everyone. It can start with the smallest of things – presenting yourself to the table in the morning well groomed with a pleasant countenance, changing the cats water dish every morning – to donating time/money/items. From joining something organized i.e, volunteering at hospital to doing small private things, such as handing the gardener a cold bottle of water.
I stumbled upon your site somehow, and have been greatly cheered. I have something solid now to share that goes beyond what I think and do and she has something to inspiring to read in the day.
Thank you so much for sharing.
E.
August 28, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Hi Linda,
You know me from New Seasons. It’s very profound when someone close to you dies. I know, since my sister died Jan.13 of non-smoker’s lung cancer. It changed my life, for the better. Her death was a gift, because my family and I value life so much more, and each other. I know your father is with you, and loves what you’re doing here. The more we give, the more enriched our lives are. My children and I volunteer for the Oregon Food Bank w/my dad monthly, feeding the hungry. It’s a small way to give, and as they get older, we will volunteer more. Blessings to you for your love and for reaching out.
Be well, Sonya
September 3, 2007 at 2:39 am
Dear Linda,
Impressive for sure and thank you for #393. You are a role model for us all.
Marlene
December 2, 2007 at 8:21 am
Hello Linda,
It is the end of the day (December 1, 2007) on which I have many mixed feelings. First of all, I remember your father who passed away on this date last year. I just spoke about him in my web journal. He stood by me in difficult times (1959 and 1960). Despite the fact that our marriage came to an end, no one can negate the fact that we loved each other for many years in some of the most memorable ways.
Of course, your beautiful son Solomon was born on this date seven years ago. We love and cherish him every day and hope he brings you many blessings. Right now, I have to say I just discovered that Solomon must have pierced my sofa cushion with one of Grandpa Al’s wonderfully concocted swords! I might have been angry, but I just shifted the cushions — Big deal! There is no hole in my heart for either Grandpa Al or Solomon. What’s a cushion between friends?
Grandpa Al and I look forward to hosting you, your husband, and your two beautiful children in Florida this month. Hold fast to all the grandparents who populate your life. I think it’s truly wonderful that you keep in touch with Grandma Alayne and that every one of the seniors in your life care about you and truly love you.
In peace,
Mom Ellen — wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother, and stepgrandmother and all-around media-savvy Radio Lady with OPB’s Accessible Information Network (at least, for now!)
December 28, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Hi
I haven’t written here in a while, however I have talked about you often and think about you more often. I am so proud of you, and raising you was one of the important parts of my adult life. This is just a reminder of how proud of you I am, and how much I miss a daughter who is across the country and who I rarely get to see but who calls me regularly to check up on me. I love it.
It is a year now plus a little and I still can’t believe your father is gone. It has been a year of losses for me, important ones and silly ones, and a year of gains as well. Perhaps the silly losses are reminders to me of Peter and how much he is still here and part of my life. First there was Peter, on the next day, the roof shingles on the house blew off in one fell swoop, a month later the shower door that has been in the same spot since 1972 crumbled into the tub, (no visible reason), a little later driving on a dry road at night there were blue and white flashes all over the road, bright and frightening. The driver of the car in front of me slammed on her brakes and I hit her, quite gently as I was slowing down too, figuring there was a major problem ahead. No damage to her car, little damage to mine but the insurance company totaled the car since the air bags inflated. They decided it would cost more to get it safe again then to pay me (well) for the car. The blue and white lights stopped immediately after the crash. The police officer came and questioned me and the driver of the car I hit. The poor guy laughed….saying he got the same storey from both of us and could only write down UFO’s. He would be the laughing stock of the precinct. The insurance company laughed when I described it. As the other driver and I were strangers, they wrote down the cause as unexplainable blockage in the road. I decided daddy didn’t want me having two cars, one an old convertible that was less safe. Boy if it was him, he sure took care of that problem. No one was sited for the accident.
A couple of weeks ago Gregory died, the dog that took care of daddy, and who Peter told to hang around until I didn’t need him. He was a 100 lb. lab who lived 15 1/2 years and indeed took care of me this year. I never felt totally alone. He also wouldn’t let me sit this long on the computer, as he wanted to play, go out, or wanted me doing something that required moving around. I realized that he was right. When I sat too long I began to feel awful. He is gone now, but his lessons to me are still helpful. This letter is too long.
The last strange thing happened recently. The huge willow that was in front of my house fell over. There are pictures of your children and my other grandchildren climbing in it and if I was smarter I could include them in this blog. According to nbeighbors the tree had been there forever and was the neighborhood landmark. But it became cause for a bunch of mizvot. Neighbors came and cut it up, cleaned up the yard and split it for fire wood. One of the neighbors was a person who I didn’t know before and who has now become a loved friend. He and his wife came over yesterday to present me with a cheese board that he made from a slice of the tree. He burned a picture of the tree onto it, dried it, covered it with safe oil and said I needed to have it to remember.
Well these mitzvot have not apeared in your blog, but they are happening and are all related to daddy in some way. The roof was repaired in record time by a chimney sweep who found out of work roofers who would work in December on a high, sloped roof. I never saw him before or again, but the roof is beautiful. The insurance company paid for almost everythiing. A glass company in the neighborhood arrived quickly and sold me a shower door and cleaned up the mess. The neighbors all met one another over the tree. The insurance company paid me well for the car and the police and insurance folks are still laughing I understand. Gregory stayed long enough to teach me how to handle being alone in a large house.
In addition, and most important, I feel closer to you than I ever have before. That is the biggest mitsvah of them all.
December 30, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I have been drawn to this site as though it is a train wreck. It is the most self serving thing I have ever seen. My understanding of performing mitvahs is that they are basically done privately but here you are posting every little thing in order for the world to comment on how wonderful you are.
On top of that, many of the things you consider to be worth posting about are basic courtesies that you should have learned as a small child. Is holding a door open for someone or enquiring after a person’s health really a mitzvah? I fear that you are teaching your children that these courtesies are somehow special and worthy of acclaim.
“called a fried to see how they are doing” and ” told a child she had dropped her mittens” – are these not common courtesies? I am shocked that anyone would feel the need to brag about something as simple as this
here is another one”
“When I attend I always leave $1 in the tzedakah “charity” can. Today, I was particularly grateful I had gotten a full night sleep and was given an aliyah (honor) to the Torah. I didn’t have any change or even a $1 bill I only had a $20. I decided that rather than leave nothing today I would leave the $20. It felt wonderful and I was even kind of giddy when I was leaving. I have learned that the highest form of charity is one given anonymously and received anonymously and I believe that is incredibly true.”
So true, that you have to brag about it online for the world to see? This is irony and hypocrisy in one paragraph. This whole blog seems less about honoring your father and all about feeling smug (or giddy) about the things you are doing.
January 4, 2008 at 2:20 am
Shame on you, Rasia Levi. I believe Linda explained in her blog that Mitzvahs were indeed small acts of human kindness. I know when I am having a bad day, a simple smile from a stranger or a door being held open for me can change my whole perceptive and mood. I can only imagine the sunshine that Linda has brought into the lives of others during her year long journey. We have been lucky she has being willing to share it with us. Perhaps it would be helpful for you to go back and re-read her blog and Mitzvahs to aid in your understanding of her intentions. I knew Linda’s dad very well in my early adult life and I can say for certain he would be honored and pleased by her efforts to do good in this world. It is a sad day when someone trying to positively impact the lives of others is openly criticized for doing so…
February 15, 2008 at 11:13 am
Hello Linda,
I was searching for my daughter’s article in the Oregonian & not quite sure how I ended up on yours. I’m inspired, what a GREAT MAN- your father to have made such an unselfish request. My daughter passed away on Jan.12,08 at the age of twelve @ OHSU Doernbecher Ped ICU due to meningoencephalitis. Our baby Vina was a true ANGEL in her short stay here with us & now truly GOD’s ANGEL. Vina fought a good fight for our family,because of her we are now determined to save other children in the community stricken with this disease. Our family is grief strickened with her loss but we are determined to make a difference. Your father’s request on his deathbed to you, put a smile on my face today! I could use all these “pick-me up” stories. Thank you for this blog & your story. If you have a moment, please visit our daughter’s website that the family has created in honor of her @ http://www.vvvfoundation.org. Please take a moment to get to know Vina on her sister-site. Thanks! Mom with FAITH
April 20, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hi Linda,
Grandpa Al and I enjoyed the brunch we had with you this morning, April 20, 2008 — it’s Passover. Anyone who deigns to prepare food for us — well, let’s just say that we consider it your mitzvah for the day!
You are a wonderful cook, and I’m glad you inherited that from Dad Peter and also your talented “bonus” Mom Alayne (you learned from her by example — and osmosis, I guess!), as well as your dear grandmother, Rosa Rabow, who I will remember on her birthday May 15th.
All three of them taught you to cook — and regrettably, your “bonus” father and I share the same inability to really do much in the kitchen except kvetch and mix. But we’re doing better. We had all kinds of fruits and vegetables for dinner. Dad Al put sardines on his salad.
Sorry I didn’t stay long enough to finish the brunch dishes, but we had other errands to attend to. I just want to say on this Passover that your handling of the food was marvelous; somedays, I believe if it weren’t for you and our dear friend Natalie, who now lives in Wisconsin, we’d be eating at Shari’s almost every day.
My mitzvah concerns the newest volunteer job I’ve found to help others. Do you know that exactly 2.7 miles from our Beaverton home, there is a place with 60 acres and 27 horses?
Last Saturday, I signed up with http://www.forwardstride.org They are an organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding for disabled and otherwise physically or mentally compromised people. Finally, I’m out of offices and studios and back to the wonderful wilderness — it’s what I recall in the Miami area in the 1940s and 1950s.
Did I ever tell you about that I took care of a mare (“Princess”) and a stallion (“Prince”) for an elderly couple who lived a few blocks away. Some of my best memories are of riding Princess bareback in the backyard fields.
I’m pleased that I’ll be able to share that feeling of freedom and mastery with your daughter and son, who will be eligible to help on the Forward Stride ranch unofficially — they can’t sign up until they are 12 years old, but we’ll just have to make it happen. Meanwhile, I’m going to pursue this summer with gusto! We’re off to Boston in May/June, then to the Valdoro Resort in Breckenridge, Colorado in August.
We are so lucky to live amid this beauty and to be able to travel to other fascinating places. We are as they say in Latin, doing our best to “Carpe diem!” Better known as “Seize the day!”
Peace, love and happiness,
Mom Ellen in Oregon
Girl, woman, wife (the third time’s the charm for me), broadcaster, mother, stepmother, grandmother, “bonus” grandmother
Read my commentary at:
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Radio_Lady
September 3, 2008 at 6:54 am
Dear Linda,
I don’t know you at all, but I just came across your blog and wanted to support you in what you are doing. I also wanted to say “SHAME SHAME” on Raisa Levy, as she is about the farthest thing from a Jew I can possibly imagine.
I have read your blog from top to bottom. You have never written one word that would lead me to believe you were in this for the attention, other than to get others on your train of Tikkun Olam, and help make a difference in the world.
It is often the smallest, most basic kindnesses that get overlooked. We are in a hurry, we cut people off, we snub them, we forget to call and say “I’m thinking about you”, and those can be the most hurtful indiscretions. But, when we remember to be mindful, and honor those basic commandments, and pay honor to them, they expand, and “pay it forward” into a world that receives our kindness, and multiplies it.
For her to call a fellow Jew out for her best intentions to make this world a better place – she should be ashamed of herself.
I work with Bar and Bat Mitzvah students, teaching them about Mitzvot, and Tikkun Olam. They are required to keep a journal -whether it be written or blogged, but they must record EVERY mitzvah they do – in order to be conscious of it, and to remember the feeling they got from it, and that others receive as well. Yes, we do these things daily without thinking about them, but thinking about them and their impact is far greater than doing them mindlessly, without purpose or intention.
You are doing a great job. Shame on miserable people, unhappy with their lives who don’t share compassion for others. I am posting your 1000 Mitzvahs Journal on my blog page, so my students can see that they aren’t the only ones recording their way through Tikkun Olam.
Yasher Koach, and my your father’s memory be for a blessing. It obviously already is.
Cantor Debbi Ballard
http://www.mypersonalcantor.com
November 26, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Dear mommy,
first of all you rock and though some times I don’t like being jewish I know eventually I just might maybe. I think it’s really sweet you are writing a blog for your dad even though he’s not here to appreciate it. I love you a lot and wish we had more family around too celebrate the holidays. I know your dad would be proud. LOVE,
Gabrielle(linda’s daughter)
p.s. Happy thanksgiving(:
March 28, 2009 at 1:55 am
I love your site. Keep it up !
May 8, 2009 at 10:45 am
Marc Acito’s Mesmer Project post about you brought me here. I think this is a wonderful blog, and plan to share it with my children and friends. I too lost my father, and think this is a great way to honour a loved one’s memory. You are making the world a better place. Bravo, Linda.
December 1, 2009 at 10:13 am
Hi Linda,
I came across your blog this morning via the Mamapreneurs Inc eblast. I lost my father just a few weeks ago and have been thinking about new mitzvot I can take on and what sort of Jewish learning I can do in his honor this year. How timely and inspiring to find your blog. While none of us kids live in Michigan (where I grew up) my mom is there and is surrounded by an amazingly supportive Jewish community. I was incredibly moved by the shiva experience and the deep support of the community I grew up in. It’s really motivated me to become more active and connected to the Jewish community here in Portland. I hope that our paths will cross sometime.
Best,
abby
January 15, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Hello Linda,
I happened upon your Blog from the comment you left on the Volunteerspot blog. It was about the Fork It Over program in Beaverton School District. First let me say that your blog really touched me as I too lost my father, but many years ago. I still miss him very much and wish my children and husband had known him. I love your Mitzvah mission and I must admit I never knew the meaning of the word. I would imagine you perform mitzvahs on a daily basis without even knowing that you have affected someone in a positive way. I admire your beautiful tribute to your father. As for Fork It Over, we would love to have you as a volunteer again. Our program has grown quite a bit and we are running 42 schools and 4 pantries through the volunteer program. If you would like to volunteer again please send an email to forkitoverbsd@gmail.com and we will get you on our volunteer list again. Blessings to you on your mitzvah journey. Something I believe we should all live our lives doing daily. I am going to adopt that word in my daily life.
Carol Garzillo