The Danny Klein Mission For Kindness
Donation protected
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
On April 16, 2015, a soul filled with nothing but love and warmth was ripped from our bitter earth. Danny Klein, age 21, faced the challenge all of us know too well: trying to fit in. Danny battled Asperger Syndrome his whole life, constantly struggling to uphold conversation, blend in with his peers, and find his Jewish identity. After winning his battle in high school, Danny dealt with the additional difficulty that would drive him to take his own life: cyberbullying.
But through all his adversity, all his challenges, Danny was the first person to extend a hand to someone in need. Danny was the light that proved to all of us that even in the darkest of times, nothing is more powerful than a smile and a "hello!" He was the light that carried a neighbor's groceries to her house. He was the light that said "hi" to a stranger walking the opposite way with his head down. He was the light that never stopped smiling. Never.
My name is Marty Levine, and I have the honor to be the first recipient of the Danny Klein Community of Kindness Award. This past summer, I had the privilege to go on a six-week journey to Eastern Europe and Israel with United Synagogue Youth, a community that reminds me every day the impact a smile can make. While at a small orphanage called K'far Ahava (Village of Love), my group of 42 Jewish teens stood in front of a tree. This tree was Danny's memorial. It was simple, yet filled with immense meaning. As the leader of my group told us Danny's story, I began to cry. I had never met Danny, but his memory and story taught me that small acts of kindness can make the biggest difference. Though our world is filled with bigotry and ugliness, a smile and a hug will always be more powerful. Let Danny's memory be a reminder to us all: If we love, if we care, if we nurture, light is more powerful than the darkness.
I am fortunate to receive $1,000 from Judy and David, Danny's parents, to invest in Jewish education and spread Danny's message of kindness. My goal is to turn $1,000 to $5,000 to open scholarship opportunities for young, passionate Jewish teens to embark on the transformative journey on USY Israel Pilgrimage. This trip changed my life for the better and taught me that big things start small. Together, we can empower Jewish teens to be the change they want to see. Let Danny's memory challenge us to fight fire with kindness and spread unconditional love wherever our paths take us. With your contributions, we can invest in the future of our people, the future of Israel, and the future of Danny's memory.
May Danny's memory live forever in our hearts.
Todah Rabah
On April 16, 2015, a soul filled with nothing but love and warmth was ripped from our bitter earth. Danny Klein, age 21, faced the challenge all of us know too well: trying to fit in. Danny battled Asperger Syndrome his whole life, constantly struggling to uphold conversation, blend in with his peers, and find his Jewish identity. After winning his battle in high school, Danny dealt with the additional difficulty that would drive him to take his own life: cyberbullying.
But through all his adversity, all his challenges, Danny was the first person to extend a hand to someone in need. Danny was the light that proved to all of us that even in the darkest of times, nothing is more powerful than a smile and a "hello!" He was the light that carried a neighbor's groceries to her house. He was the light that said "hi" to a stranger walking the opposite way with his head down. He was the light that never stopped smiling. Never.
My name is Marty Levine, and I have the honor to be the first recipient of the Danny Klein Community of Kindness Award. This past summer, I had the privilege to go on a six-week journey to Eastern Europe and Israel with United Synagogue Youth, a community that reminds me every day the impact a smile can make. While at a small orphanage called K'far Ahava (Village of Love), my group of 42 Jewish teens stood in front of a tree. This tree was Danny's memorial. It was simple, yet filled with immense meaning. As the leader of my group told us Danny's story, I began to cry. I had never met Danny, but his memory and story taught me that small acts of kindness can make the biggest difference. Though our world is filled with bigotry and ugliness, a smile and a hug will always be more powerful. Let Danny's memory be a reminder to us all: If we love, if we care, if we nurture, light is more powerful than the darkness.
I am fortunate to receive $1,000 from Judy and David, Danny's parents, to invest in Jewish education and spread Danny's message of kindness. My goal is to turn $1,000 to $5,000 to open scholarship opportunities for young, passionate Jewish teens to embark on the transformative journey on USY Israel Pilgrimage. This trip changed my life for the better and taught me that big things start small. Together, we can empower Jewish teens to be the change they want to see. Let Danny's memory challenge us to fight fire with kindness and spread unconditional love wherever our paths take us. With your contributions, we can invest in the future of our people, the future of Israel, and the future of Danny's memory.
May Danny's memory live forever in our hearts.
Todah Rabah
Organizer and beneficiary
Marty Levine
Organizer
Suffern, NY
Gary Levine
Beneficiary