Dear Sir,

I grew up at Bathurst and Steeles. I drive south on Bathurst every day for work and every night when I come home. I am up and down and at that corner every single day. I don’t know how long you have been there, at the corner of Toronto and the city above Toronto (Vaughan).

I see you there, walking in between the cars. When it is cold or hot. Winter, spring, summer or fall must take on a different meaning for you.

When it is cold, we don’t open our windows. I would watch others, as some would on occasion roll down the window and give you something. There were times, I will admit, that I would put my head down and turn the radio station or pretend to. Why did I do that? I don’t know.

I attended a class and we discussed that there are times when we find it hard to trust people that may be in a similar situation to you. The person leading the class said to us that she always has snacks in her car. If you are approached and asked to give something, offer some food. If they are really in need they will take whatever you give, not just a monetary hand out. I have never forgotten that and you were the benefit of this.

You may not know about the Jewish holiday of Passover but for 8 days we omit many things out of daily diet to observe this holiday. I was driving to work during this holiday and there you were, walking in your same area at the intersection. I remember I had put a granola bar in my glove compartment. I realized I wouldn’t be eating that week so when you came by my car, I rolled down the window and asked if you wanted a granola bar. Your face brightened up and you said G-D bless you, of course I would love a granola bar. I wished you a great day and you said that I had already made your day.

On Friday I took a bottle of water out of my fridge to take on the road while I was running errands on my day off. By the time I was going to open it, it was warm. I thought to myself how much I dislike warm water, and then I saw you. I waved you over to my car and gave you the bottle of water. Once again you thanked me and said G-D Bless you.

I was with my friend in her car in the same spot about a week ago and I was telling her about my granola bar story and she told me that she has given you fruit as well.

I don’t know what happened in your life to bring you to the corner of Bathurst and Steeles but I hope that our community and intersection gives you what you need to help you out in a small way in your life.

I hope that some other people I know that drive by your intersection have helped you out as well. If they haven’t, maybe they will not put their head down in the future, but perhaps put their hand in their lunch bag and give you snack.

Until I see you again,

The lady in the blue car

“Charity begins at home” – how many times have you heard this (or said this)? I know I have said it many times. It is true. What is more true is what you learn as you start to get older and become a part of a world that revolves outside of your home and family circle.

A couple of years ago I attended a class that was entitled circles of responsibility. It touched on all the different levels we are responsible for ourselves and the ones around us.

Your first circle is your home and family. After that it is your extended family, then your community, your Jewish community and then the Global Community. Thankfully for me, community service has always been a part of my life and it continues to be to today.

This past Sunday was a global initiative called JServe. For those who aren’t familiar with what it is, it is an International day of Jewish Youth Service. Over 11,000 teens in over 100 countries particiated.  J-Serve provides teens with the opportunity to fulfill the Jewish values of gemilut chasidim, acts of loving kindness, tzedakah, just and charitable giving, and tikkum olam, the responsibility to repair the world. Across the globe, teens will join each other to make their community and the world a better place.

Over 400 teens participated in Toronto in about a dozen different service projects serving our Jewish (and global) Community at large. The day started with teens and volunteers bringing in food for the Kosher Food bank. Being the week before Passover, I am sure it helped the kids because their parents were probably cleaning out their pantries for the holidays.

I was taking photos at different venues and had the chance to see wonderful work being done packaged food for those living on the streets with the great organization Ve’ahavta, mock Seders with seniors and those who have cognitive challenges, planting and cleaning up at the Kehilla Residental Programme, making cards and craft packages for sick children for Crafting for the Cure and so much more.

My biggest circle of responsibility happened on my way back to the event venue after visiting the sites. I was driving on a side street just off of Wilmington Avenue and there was an elderly man, walking down the street (no sidewalks) in his underwear. At first I drove by the man, but immediately stopped the car. I dialed 911 and when the responder asked me police, fire or ambulance, I wasn’t sure what I needed. I proceeded to tell her what was happening, what the man was doing, and the fact that he was walking towards a busy street and I was afraid he would be hit by a car.

As she was asking me questions I could hear her typing. She proceeded to tell me that they had already had a crisis car come out once that day. They would be sending another car to the street as soon as one was available. She asked me what was he wearing. I replied, nothing he is in his underwear.

I was torn. Should I stay and wait for the police officers? I wasn’t going to approach the man, but I just didn’t want anything to happen to him while they were on the way. Four cars and a motorcycle drove by him while I was on the phone with 911. She said to me, “It is up to you what you want to do, but to be honest you have done more than most. You did your duty”. I ended up not staying and struggled with it. I have given thought to the man this week.

Your duty. What does that mean? It means different things to different people and the line moves depending on the situation. Everyone has the ability and capability to make changes in our community and with that, the global community.

I was also thinking about the teens at the JServe event. They all rushed back after their service work with their high school service hours forms in their hands waiting to get their hours documented. We didn’t have mandatory community service hours ‘back in the day’. It is a good thing. There should be more hours and there is no reason to start earlier than high school. Today is Earth day. My niece asked me last night what I was planning on doing for Earth day today. She is 11.

Think about your circles of responsibility on all level; family, extended family, the Jewish Community, the Global Community.

Live your best life,

Lisa