A Jewish Rabbi and a Presbyterian Pastor are uniting together in hopes of making the world a better place.
Rabbi Daniel Cohen of Congregation Agudath Sholom, Stamford, CT and Pastor Greg Doll of Norton Presbyterian Church, Darien, CT created the Elijah Moment Campaign to encourage people to put aside their differences and simply help each other anonymously.
In the old Testament, Elijah is a Biblical prophet who appears through history to spread light in the midst of darkness. He comes into your life and makes your day!
Their hope is that everyone will simply do something generous to help someone else each day.
“Small acts of kindness and generosity can change a life and even save lives,” Said Rabbi Cohen. “You don’t need to let the person know it was you.”
Here are ten ideas you can use anytime, anywhere to become an Elijah to someone in need.
- If someone runs out of money at the grocery store in front of you, pay the difference. Better still, just buy all their groceries.
- Give the clerk at the coffee stand an extra ten bucks and say they should pay for the next person. In fact, give them a twenty and say for the next four people!
- At a restaurant, ask the waiter or waitress to give you the bill of one of the other patrons and then pay for them without letting them know it was you.
- Pay the bridge toll of the person behind you.
- Instead of ignoring the panhandler on the corner, give them 5 bucks and wish them a Merry Christmas.
- Take ten one dollar bills, and drop $1 into the hands of the next ten beggars you see along the street on the way to work.
- Go through your home put together a package of clothes, phones, tools, appliances, and furniture you don’t need or where any more, and drop it off at the Salvation Army or another bona-fide charity organization.
- Got a collection of old cars on your property? Donate a car to NPR.
- Call up your rabbi or pastor and offer to buy or sponsor toys and dinners for needy families.
- Go to the local school donate money so needy kids can go on a school outing.
- Make a generous donation to a local community organization that works with the poor.
- Give some money to a local school, church, synagogue or club and ask that it be used to help the needy.
Be creative. Pay attention. Look for ways to help those who are less fortunate than yourself.
Do something to help someone today. Be an Elijah!
