Danny Siegel’s
Mitzvah Videos, CDs & DVDs
The following is a small sample of particularly moving and insightful videos that I have discovered over the past few years. Most are brief and can be used as trigger films for discussion or as a final note to a talk on Tzedakah, to summarize exactly what is meant by a particular Tzedakah project or what a person who lives the Life of Mitzvahs fully looks like, talks like, and acts like in his or her daily actions. As with my other resource materials, I recommend each person assemble his or her own list of audio-visual resources that will bring home the message of Tzedakah.
The rating system is simple:
No asterisk means 'Highly recommended'
- * means 'Stunning, moving, and essential'
- ** means 'Astonishing, revolutionary, a must resource to do major World Repair'
- *** means 'In a class by itself'
1.Where Heaven and Earth Touch: Danny Siegel's Mitzvah Heroes in Israel 14-17-minute clips featuring 8 of Danny's Mitzvah heroes, filmed on location in Israel. The inside story of these Giants of Tikkun Olam and their incredible Mitzvah work. With a general introduction and an introduction to each segment by Danny. (Orders: Naomi Eisenberger — naomike@aol.com, 973-763-9396. $25.00/check made out to "Ziv")
***2. Charley's Gift: The ultimate video on Tzedakah. The true story of a child who is diagnosed with cancer. Someone gives him and his mother a house on Malibu Beach where he lives out his last couple of years. For his last birthday, he takes his savings and buys toys for kids in hospitals. A six-handkerchief clip from 20/20 (February 21, 1997), 1-800-CALL-ABC. $36.40 (includes shipping and tax).
***3. Child Labor in Asia: Very powerful. Distressed by stories about horrible working conditions for child laborers in Asia, Craig Kielburger, age 13, launched a campaign to end this horror. He traveled to Asia to see the reality behind the media coverage first-hand. Accompanied by human rights workers and a crew from 60 Minutes, Craig now tells the anguished tale everywhere. His Free the Children campaign grows, and will hopefully continue to grow until it will be phased out of existence...because child slavery and inhuman working conditions will have disappeared and there will no longer be a need for it. Ed Bradley's piece is brilliantly produced, must viewing. To order the video from 60 minutes: 1-800-848-3256. $29.95. Item # SM 60721A. Craig's website: www.freethechildren.org.
***4. Miracle Workers: A "48 Hours" show, five or six segments on amazing people and Mitzvah projects; several superb, teachable pieces, including the Mitzvah Monkeys and incredible ophthalmologists who fly around the world to do their good work. 1-800-338-4847. $59.95 + postage and handling.
5. Bet Tzedek: Bet Tzedek Legal Services annually makes their dinner video available. Cost: $5.00 plus shipping. Matt Scelza, Director of Development, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, 145 S. Fairfax Avenue, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA. 90036. 323 549-5813. mscelza:bettzedek.org
6. Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind: Fine videos of the activities of the largest organization in Israel training dogs for blind people. ‘Partners’ – 7 minutes – the process of training puppies and developing partnerships. ‘My Dog, My Independence – 6 minutes – About Eyal Neifeld who became blind and deaf as a result of a suicide bombing. ‘It’s not a Dream’ – 5 minutes – about the center, very upbeat background music and testimonials from guide dog users. Contact: Norman Leventhal, 215-343-0373, igdcb@nni.com
*7. Shelter Boy: Very powerful 12-15 minute TV segment on a 12-year-old boy who lives in a shelter with his family. Contact film catalogues. Teaching materials about the film are also available. FOX, 1999.
**8. Best Boy: Oscar winner. Documentary story of an adult Jewish man's transition from living with his parents to a group home. 111mins. Available on amazon.com.
9. A Test Of Love: An incredible film based on the true story of a young woman erroneously diagnosed as retarded and placed in an institution as an infant. Upon reaching majority, she sues the institution for the right to live on the outside...and wins! Beautifully done. The movie is sometimes listed as Annie's Coming Out. (There's a book by the same name.) Consult video stores and catalogues. 1 hr. 33 mins. Universal Pictures, Distributor.
10. Shalva: Marvelous project for children with disabilities in Jerusalem. Several video programs are available for download on their website, www.shalva.org.
