A teddy for children in distress

OWN CORRESPONDENT

“These wonderful women fully deserve our thanks and their efforts may hopefully encourage others also to contribute knitted teddies.”

The project is facilitated by Max Green, head of the Care Committee at Beit Emanuel.

Beit Emanuel entertained 22 visitors from Thembalame Care Centre, who have knitted nearly 300 teddies for the Beit Emanuel Ubuntu Bears project.

This project began on Mandela Day last year and runs till Mandela Day this year, July 18, the icon’s birthday.

So far Beit Emanuel has distributed close to 500 teddies to children attending outpatient clinics and some in-patients at Raheema Moosa and Charlotte Maxeke Hospitals in Johannesburg and a special distribution to Zithulele Hospital in the Eastern Cape.

What prompted this project was a belief that all children are distressed by illness and by the need for treatment at hospital and that a cuddly teddy can, to some extent, help reduce this distress.

Beit Emanuel has found enthusiastic knitters at several homes for the elderly, the Union of Jewish Women and among the shul’s congregants.  The shul also has had generous donations towards wool, and teddy bear stuffing.

All contributions are welcome. You can provide knitted or crocheted teddies (we’ll provide the pattern) or donate double ply wool and teddy bear stuffing. Contact the office at Beit Emanuel Synagogue, (011) 646-6170.