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Larry and the late Sheila Hartman: With courageous
tenacity and community devotion, Larry ensures that Sheila’s light of
generosity and sensitivity continues to shine.
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“This Chanukah, the light of the late Sheila Hartman radiated with love
and kindness.”
By
Rabbi Chaim Mendelsohn
Chabad
of Centrepointe
‘You
saved our Chanukah! For the first time in months, I had a good night’s sleep
without the constant stresses that come with being a single full-time mom
living on a very low fixed income,” wrote one recipient of a special Chanukah
gift. “Your gift helped me pay bills, get our 10-year-old minivan repaired so I
can safely keep driving it, fill our fridge with food for the holidays,
surprise my children with a gift every day of Chanukah.”
This was an example of some of the heartfelt letters we received
following an incredible act of generosity by Larry Hartman in memory of his
beloved late wife Sheila.
Sheila was a pillar of light giving up of her time and energy to help
the elderly and less fortunate. She was a constant fixture at Hillel Lodge
providing companionship and comfort for the residents.
With her passing nine months ago, it seemed like this pillar of light
was extinguished. With courageous tenacity and community devotion, her husband
Larry ensures that her light of generosity and sensitivity continues to shine.
A few days before Chanukah, Larry called me to his office. He had
something important to discuss with me. He looked directly into my eyes and
asked me what can be done to help families before the holidays who may need
financial assistance due to disability or illness. Without waiting for a
response, he asked me to distribute $30,000 to six families – $5,000 to each
family. Larry wanted to make sure these families feel support and love; that
they feel included. For some, the holiday season is a time of excitement while
for others it is filled with anxiety and vulnerability.
We are very blessed to live in a Jewish community that takes the
responsibility of ensuring inclusion for those of all abilities emotionally or
physically. Organizations like Tamir, Jewish Family Services of Ottawa and,
more recently, JOIN (Jewish Ottawa Inclusion Network) have been champions of
facilitating programming, services and awareness for adults and children with
exceptionalities.
Chabad of Centrepointe recently launched a teen-led initiative called A
Ripple Effect. Its objectives are to bring fun and friendship to children who
are dealing with illness, disability or trauma. A group of over 30 selfless
teens go out every week to visit their kid buddies. They may watch a movie
together, play games, read books or go on an outing. These visits also give the
parents an opportunity for some respite; they may catch up on laundry or may
simply rest or relax.
As the co-directors of A Ripple Effect, my wife Bassy and I were given
the distinct pleasure of distributing these generous Chanukah gifts.
In the subsequent feedback I received, one dad told me how they had
planned an annual trip to drive to visit family during the holidays but were so
disappointed because they did not have the funding. In a thank-you note they
wrote, “Our real one and only time to see our cousins and take the kids on a
much needed family time for Chanukah was in ruins. All the money we had
carefully saved up all year for this trip was now gone. And then came a
Chanukah miracle. Rabbi Mendelsohn called us with the exciting news and when we
opened and saw your incredible gift, we actually cried. Thank you for being our
Chanukah miracle.”
Another grateful mom wrote, “With all these payments I was a bit
overwhelmed with the holidays. How will I pay for all of this? ... Then there
it was...Bassy presenting me with this cheque of $5000. I was shocked…couldn’t
believe this was real.”
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