RE-SPECS on Righteous Crowd this Week!
RE-SPECS
Frames for the Needy
This week’s Torah portion, Vayera, begins with a visual encounter; God appears and Abraham sees. The motif of sight subtly underscores this week’s reading: Abraham asks his visitors if he has found grace in their eyes (18:3), Lot sees two angelic visitors (19:2) and suggests that he has found favor in their eyes (19:19), and Abraham lifts up his eyes to see the ram that will take the place of his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Inspired by this theme, we are supporting an organization that literally gives people the gift of sight. RE-SPECS Frames for the Needy, based in Israel, rescues surplus and gently used glasses frames in order to recycle them for people in need.
Thank you to Dr. Matthew Goldstone of the Academy for Jewish Religion for contributing this week’s lesson.
Read our interview below with Founder and CEO of RE-SPECS, Chana Simon.
Why did you decide to start RE-SPECS?
Imagine being visually impaired and not being able to afford a simple pair of glasses! The degree to which it impacts a person's ability to function is understated - potentially causing migraines and depression and affecting one's ability to work, study, and play. RE-SPECS Frames for the Needy understood this problem and took on the challenge. When I decided to start the organization, I realized that this was one of the most fundamental ways of helping people. Serving the underprivileged regardless of race or religion, we offer these members of society an affordable, environmentally-friendly option that allows them to obtain corrective eyewear while maintaining their self-respect.
What are some non-monetary ways for others to get involved in your organization or cause?
We would be delighted if people could connect us with opticians and frame suppliers that have unsold, surplus stock. If you are traveling to Israel and want to donate eyeglasses be in touch!
How would you connect RE-SPECS to a Jewish text or value?
This week’s Torah portion, Vayera, discusses the episode of Abraham's test in the binding of Isaac. That event ultimately led to Isaac's suffering visual impairment in his old age. This is possibly the first mention of blindness in the Torah. Regarding a value, when someone donates their gently-used eyeglass frames for the benefit of another, we call this Sharing the Vision. This value is highly encouraged in the Jewish tradition, where we are often exhorted to share the burden of our brothers and sisters in distress.
Who has inspired you in the work that you are doing?
First and foremost, our customers inspire us. We see case after case of individuals who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in vulnerable circumstances, and despite that, manage to put a smile on their faces. Secondly, I was inspired by Joseph Gitler, Founder of Leket Israel, our national food bank. At the time when he saw wasted food as a valuable resource worth collecting for others, I saw used and surplus glasses frames as an untapped resource which could really help others. Joseph saw the potential in my idea and gave me the encouragement to think big and establish the organization.
What has surprised you about working with RE-SPECS?
I think that people who support organizations often see themselves as givers and the recipients as takers. What has surprised me is that sometimes the positions merge and interchange. It is relatively easy to open your pocket if you have the means and be a generous benefactor. But sometimes what we see are people who are so inspiring, so optimistic, so generous in nature, so appreciative, to the extent that they'll give of their time and volunteer. And at that moment, we (the RE-SPECS staff) will wonder where the "taking" ends and the "giving" begins and vice versa. And we think that, supposing for life circumstances the positions were reversed, who indeed would WE be?
What's the best part of your job and why?
I get a lot of satisfaction from hearing the customers' feedback and we often record their testimonies. And sometimes I look back to where this all began and then to where we are today and I'm blown away! The best part is being cognizant of the fact that this project germinated from a simple, random idea. Surely there were organizations in Israel providing glasses for those in need? But there weren't so it was the moment to step into the role, to fill the shoes, to take the most fundamental of recycling ideas and to map out a bigger picture so that others could be given the gift of sight.
To learn more about RE-SPECS Frames for the Needy, click here