JEWISH SENTINEL

10 JEWISH WORLD • NOVEMBER 18-24, 2022 “senior citizens, adults undergo- ing cancer treatment, families in shelters, and even our troops were completely uplifted” by these car- ing and thoughtful gifts. “Our teddy bear donations are given out on a weekly basis to many different organizations, including child life centers, children’s hos- pitals, assisted living, hospice and palliative care facilities, emergency departments, shelters, orphanages and more,” said Sprung. The organization now distributes “upwards of 60,000 bears a year.” W hen asked to share a high- light of his philanthropic work, he spoke about an exchange he had in an Israeli hospital with a boy who had cancer. “He asked me if I ever heard of Camp Simcha,” a camp for chil- dren with cancer. “I said I had and that I am a past president of Chai Lifeline, which sponsors the camp. He told me he was supposed to go back to the camp for a third season and asked me to visit him there during the summer. When a kid with cancer is going for a third season, the prognosis is not that good for the child. I said to him, ‘If you make it to camp, I’m going to drive up and visit you.’ “So I kept tabs on the child. And finally I got a call from the head of Chai Lifeline. He told me the boy had been cleared and was at camp. I got in my car and drove up to visit him. I’m standing on the porch of the dining room, and he’s coming up being driven on a golf cart by a staff member. He sees me on the porch, and he stands up and says, ‘I told you I’d make it.’ I think just the hope of being able to have me visit him at camp sustained him. I went to see him again in Israel last No- vember. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly thereafter.” R abbi Yisrael Rothwachs, dean of Sinai Schools, attested to the positive influence Sprung has had on those in his schools, a net- work of inclusive special educa- tion schools for children in kin- dergarten through age 21, as well as programs for adults. “Joe is well known for his philanthropy, but I think what makes him very special is the personal approach he takes to helping others,” Rothwachs said. “His organization Bear Givers has made a tremendous impact on our students and their families since 2014, when he began sponsor- ing what turned into our annual Unique Inspirations Student Art Show. The art show gives our students, who have a range of dis- abilities, an opportunity to show- case their talents. It has become a highlight of our school year.” “And it’s so much more than a sponsorship: Joe greets every stu- dent, asking them about their art- work and making them feel great about themselves with genuine and sincere interest,” he added. “For him, it’s so much more than sup- porting our institution; it’s about empowering our students and mak- ing them feel confident and proud. “We have what’s called the Em- powerment Program for children to give out the bears,” Rothwachs said. “It makes the kids feel so much bet- ter giving rather than receiving.” Additionally, Sprung said Bear Givers hosted an Inclusion Weekend this past summer at The Hampton Synagogue “to spread the word about the importance and benefit of inclu- sion for children with special needs.” Inclusion is an educational practice that provides learning en- vironments for children of mixed abilities. Activities are planned to take into account and support each child’s personal needs in an accessible setting. Sprung spon- sors the multi-sensory room at the synagogue’s new children’s cen- ter called Jack’s House, which is an inclusive environment. He noted that during the Inclu- sion Weekend there was a special program on Shabbat in which Rabbi Marc Schneier presented awards to congregants who were particularly involved in the pro- gram, among them Gloria Kaylie and Elisa and Clint Greenbaum. “We had speakers talk about their personal experiences and how vitally important inclusion is,” Sprung recalled. He said the motivation for his The 2022 Art Show for SINAI Schools held at RAIN event space in Teaneck, NJ. Left to Right: Diane Lempert, Joe Sprung, Rabbi Yisrael Rothwachs (Dean of SINAI Schools). Sprung continued from page 9 Diane Lempert, executive director, Bear Givers: Joe provides resources but most of all he provides hope to those who need it. Rabbi Yisrael Rothwachs, dean of Sinai Schools: His support is all about making our students feel con dent and proud.