Same As It Ever Was

Although I read about the Uniform Project when it first launched almost a year ago, I haven't been diligent about checking back with Sheena's progress. Now that the project is almost over, it's incredible to see how much money she's raised for the Akanksha foundation. The concept was simple, since May 2009 Sheena's been wearing the same dress as an "exercise in sustainable fashion," and as a tool to raise money for education in India. Read all about it on her site, and watch this adorable video explaining the project:

Build Me Up, Buttercup

Last Friday, March 12th, a bunch of funny people got together to make each other laugh, and to make a difference. They're tweeting their way to happiness, helping to rebuild schools in Haiti with the proceeds from Night of 140 Tweets. I'm pretty sure Ben Stiller was the brains behind the event, and after reading last week's New York Times article about his upcoming film 'Greenberg' I think I'll support him in anything he puts his heart to.

Photograph by Chad Batka for the New York Times.

One Step At A Time

For most Jews, Yom Kippur is a day of reflection and solitude. It's a day when we deny ourselves the comforts and pleasures of daily life, in exchange for the reflections that come with fasting. After attending synagogue this morning, at the strangest of locations (a church that my friend was quick to point out had been featured on Sex & The City), I found myself back in the confines of my apartment. All dressed up with no place to go, except the hunger laden recesses of my mind.

So as I sit here, dry mouthed with not a drop of water having gone down my throat since late last night, I start to think about all the people who face this reality on a daily basis. Water is such an integral part of our lives, that the thought of being without it is unimaginable... but what about those one billion people that don't have access to clean drinking water? An integral part of Judaism is Tzedakah, the religious obligation to perform charity, and on this holiest of days a little charity can be a great start to the new year. By donating a mere $20 to Charity:Water, one person will have clean, safe drinking water for 20 years. Learn more about Charity:Water here.