When President Sue Gould and Deborah Echt-Moxness, Social Action Co-chair found out there was not going to be a Mervyn's-sponsored Holiday Shopping Child Spree this year, they went to Or Ami Rabbi Paul Kipnes, who instantly seeded the "tzedakah" (charitable donation) for us to take 23 foster children from the Department of Child andFamily Services in Chatsworth shopping at Mervyn's in Canoga Park.

As Rabbi Kipnes reflected later, "I knew that once the congregation learned of the situation, their generosity would lead them to more than make up for this donation.When the foster children arrived at the store, they were greeted by 23 temple congregants who escorted them individually and helped the children shop for things they needed and wanted."

"The smiles on everyone's faces spoke louder than words and attests to the fact that when you give, you get much more back in return, knowing you helped someone and made them feel special. For all the temple members, this was a meaningful way to begin the week of Chanukah by spreading the Light into the hearts of foster kids!", said President Gould.

This event would never have taken place without the devotion and help of Lovette Panthier, who runs the Adopt a Child Abuse Case Worker Program for the Department of Children and Family Services of Los Angeles.