Dear Friends and Supporters of Ziv,

Since the decision to close the Ziv Tzedakah Fund, it has been very encouraging to be reminded of the wide ranging and positive impact Ziv has had. We have received many calls, letters, and e-mails and enjoyed many personal conversations with so many of you. Several immediately expressed a willingness to help in a variety of ways, and we welcome these offers. It has been, indeed, very heartening.

We want to begin by assuring you that Danny, Naomi, and Arnie are all healthy, that our Mitzvah heroes are working Ziv’s closing into their planning, and that the Ziv Board is addressing the various operational, accounting, and legal issues related to closing the fund. The Board is making extra efforts to manage the myriad of details and decisions with the same sensitivity, ethical standards, and transparency that have been Ziv’s watchword since its founding.

We appreciate your fine response to our November Update’s request for contributions. Our final round of support for our Mitzvah heroes will be a most fitting conclusion to our work of 27 years. Yishar Kochachem!

Timetable for the Next Few Months

1. In order to facilitate the process of closing Ziv, after March 31st, 2008 Ziv will no longer accept any checks or on-line contributions. Donations received after that date will be returned.

2. When we bring this Tikkun Olam venture to a close and all expenses have been covered, should any funds remain — those Tzedakah dollars will be donated, of course, to appropriate recipients.

3. While our Annual Report has always been mailed in April, this year’s will be sent in May. The delay will allow us to detail more accurately the past year’s Mitzvah work and provide an accounting of our final allocations and expenses.

Protecting and Guiding Our Donors

The Ziv mailing list is an important asset, as such:

1. Sharing the mailing list with other organizations has been the subject of long and intense discussions among the Board members. Clearly, there are serious legal, ethical, and Halachic issues involved.

2. We very much want to protect our donors and to enable you and others to continue Ziv’s mission of providing support for our Mitzvah heroes. Consequently, we will be making our mailing list available on a one-time basis to a small number of 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, which the Board of Directors has determined to be closely fulfilling Ziv’s purpose. Only names and addresses will be provided. (over)

3. Those organizations that receive the list will sign an agreement that they will not sell it or give it to other organizations, and that they will use it only once.

4. You have the option to “opt out” of having your name and address shared with these organizations. Please notify us by mail or e-mail by March 31, 2008, to have your name removed from the list. To opt out, please send your notice to:

Ziv Tzedakah Fund
384 Wyoming Avenue
Millburn, NJ 07041
zivtzedaka@aol.com

5. The Annual Report will provide the names of the organizations that have received the mailing list, as well as additional general information concerning venues through which you can continue supporting those Mitzvah heroes Ziv has helped.

Other Matters of Importance

1. Many people have contacted us regarding bequests to Ziv included in personal wills or other planned gifts. This would be a good time to update your will and substitute another Tzedakah fund or organization.

2. The Ziv/Giraffe Curriculum project will be handled by Rabbi Stephen Bayar who owns the rights to the materials. You may contact Rabbi Bayar at (973)715-3059, ikkarpublishing@aol.com.

3. Our Ziv Fellow in Israel, Amee Sherer, who has exceeded our already-high expectations, will complete her work as planned at the end of June.

Our work on the Ziv Board has been meaningful and fulfilling. While helping Ziv complete its work has been one of our most difficult activities, we are committed to completing the work in a respectful, comprehensive, and proper manner. We appreciate your understanding, assistance, and support.

Shalom,

The Ziv Tzedakah Fund Board of Directors