Each Friday, the another jennifer blog shares stories of those who incorporate philanthropy into their everyday lives – personally and professionally – in a creative and unique way. If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact Jennifer. You can view past posts from the series here.
The following post was originally published on JUNE 29, 2012.
I just finished the book 1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire and Change your Life by Linda Cohen.
Linda graciously sent me a copy after seeing an inquiry I posted looking for stories for my Philanthropy Friday series. She noted that the book might be a fit with my work. She was right.
The book is about a project she took on after the death of her father. She set out to perform 1,000 mitzvahs in her father’s memory. She tells me “though a mitzvah is actually a commandment in Judaism, it has also become synonymous for doing acts of kindness. The book is inspiring others to take on their own mitzvah projects both individually and as communities.”
In fact, Linda has been getting wonderful reviews for the book and was recently featured in the national spotlight on Fox’s show called “Better TV.”
Linda didn’t set out to change the world. She simply wanted to perform acts of kindness to honor her father. She found that the cumulative effect of the project not only helped her in her grieving, it also made a huge positive impact on her life.
I really enjoyed reading the book. It’s a pretty quick read and covers the various mitzvahs she completed after her father died. Each chapter has a different theme – food, volunteer work, donations, environmental conscience, birthdays, death and grieving, etc. – and includes short stories about the mitzvahs performed.
The neat thing is that just about anyone can complete these simple acts of kindness. Throughout the project, Linda observed how easy it was to do good deeds and to notice when others do good deeds as well. She chronicled her mitzvahs on her blog and continues to post daily mitzvahs on her Facebook page.
A few of my favorite examples included making sure that the next person in the public bathroom has toilet paper, using reusable bags on vacation, recognizing someone who has done a good job, taking the time to send handwritten notes to thank people, and telling someone how they have affected you. Simple stuff that we can do every day and will put a smile on other people’s faces.
I loved the fact that her husband and kids got into the project as well, even discussing whether or not certain acts even counted as a mitzvah. And you could see how the project helped the entire family give more.
By the way, this is not a religious book, and you certainly don’t need to be Jewish to appreciate it. Not being Jewish myself, I found that I actually learned quite a bit about the traditions of Judaism. An added bonus I didn’t expect.
I’ve often noted on this blog that performing small good deeds can make a big impact on another person’s life. They can also help you feel happier. The more I explore the concept of philanthropy and the ways in which we all can contribute, the more I think about doing these simple acts of kindness in everyday life. Or, “spontaneous kindness” as Linda described in her book.
Just the other night, my husband and I were out having a drink of wine, enjoying the fact that we had a babysitter for a short time. It was getting later, and we were the last people in the restaurant. We were sitting in the bar area at a table. When we were all ready to leave, my husband picked up our glasses and set them on the bar. He only walked a few feet, but a man who also worked at the restaurant, looked at us in disbelief and said, “Wow. Thanks.”
He didn’t have to bring our dirty glasses to the bar, and most people wouldn’t even think to do this. But my husband took the extra few seconds to walk a few extra feet and save the waitstaff a little bit of time in the clean up process. Not a huge act, but you could tell it was very much appreciated by the staff.
And all I could think was, “Hey, we just performed a mitzvah!”
Of course I love this! We grew up learning about doing mitzvahs. Before my son was Bar Mitzvahed he had to do a Mitzvah project, so he donated toys to an orphanage.
We try to do mitzvahs in every day life.
This book sounds marvelous and is SO YOU, Jennifer. Thank you for writing about it. This embodies who you are as a woman and mother. I am proud to know you.
Your comments always make me blush, Cathy! Thank you. I think you will thoroughly enjoy this book.
This made me smile this morning and you are right it doesn’t take much to perform a good deed, but still nice to do them when we can for others, especially feels good to see the reaction you get when you do stuff like this 🙂
The reaction is always worth it, isn’t it?
This sounds like a great book! I agree, we can all do little Mitzvahs each day. All together they can really add up
Absolutely, Bev. And I think those mitzvahs inspire others to pay it forward even more.
Thanks for sharing Jen. This is great and I’m picking up the book this weekend. TGIF
It’s a great book, Lesley. Can’t wait to hear what you think about it.
This really touched my heart. I can’t think of a better tribute to someone than performing acts of kindness in their name. Beautiful.
Truthfully, if you are just a little bit aware of what you are doing, we could all be performing many little mitzvahs every day without even that much effort. We should be!! I love this!! –Lisa
I agree, Lisa. It really is about being aware of our actions. Mitzvahs are so simple. We just have to remember to take that extra step to do them.
Love it. And I love the word “mitzvah.”
Cassidy bussed our table the other day and the staff looked at us in shock. Great minds think alike.
I’m pretty tapped out today in many ways, but I did send a nice note to someone who has been feeling down. I hope it cheers them up.
Those notes can go a long way. I know this! And, yes, mitzvah is a very cool word.
Gosh, this sounds like such an AWESOME book! It is so inspiring to see someone memorialize her beloved father this way… and through her mission, she is touching so many lives through these mitzvahs and her book will surely expand her reach and spread her message everywhere!
LOVE that.
You will love this book, Chris. So many simple things you can do to make a difference!
I love this idea and the book sounds awesome! We can all be doing little things every day. I am going to try to be more aware. Yesterday in the grocery store, I was loading up the conveyer belt with my groceries when someone with only a few things came up behind me. I offered to let them go ahead of me. They declined, but often people take me up on it. It seems silly to make someone wait when they only have a couple things and I have a week’s worth of groceries.
That’s a great mitzvah! I always appreciate it when people do this for me, especially when I have the boys with me.
Thanks so much for sharing the book again. I am so glad you continue to enjoy the book. I am still in awe how this project has continued to help others who are grieving or in need of a reminder that by giving of ourselves we enjoy the positive benefits as well. I also love the fact that I’ve been able to share some of my Jewish traditions with others. I am grateful to you for sharing it once more. — Linda
My pleasure, Linda! Thanks for writing the book and sharing your story.
It’s really true how a small act can mean so much! My Girls Scouts spent a morning baking cookies and making snack mix and just basically having fun then we delivered them to the local Hospice House. There was a family in the dining room when we dropped them off and they kept thanking us and telling us how much it meant to them. It really goes to show that it doesn’t take really anything to brighten someone’s day. Even a smile will do it!
Absolutely, Jen. I think we often get caught up in our fast-paced lives and forget to just stop and smile! It does make a difference.
I can’t wait to check out this book! It’s amazing how a simple act of kindness can make someone’s day. This is a lesson I want my daughters to take to heart, and starting my own mitzvah practice is the best way to show them!
Yes! Kids take this kind of stuff on very easily. And when you get in the practice of simple acts of kindness early, it becomes a habit!