TRACY KLASS
PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED
Fifteen girls from Herzlia Primary, Middle and High School volunteered to cut their hair to make wigs for children suffering from cancer. This project was initiated by the Israel-based organisation Zichron Menachem, who provides support for parents and children who suffer from cancer.
Donated hair undergoes sorting and processing and is sorted according to shade and length and then washed and combed with a special comb. Damaged and split ends are removed. Thereafter, the hair is sewn onto long strips of material which are used to construct the wig. Each wig requires a lot of hair – usually three complete ponytails.
Wigs are very expensive to make but by donating their hair, the Herzlia girls contributed the most important component. Herzlia extended this into the broader community and identified a child through the Reach for a Dream Foundation.
This project embodies the concept of tikkun olam.
“While the pursuit of a first class academic education is of critical importance in any school, it is equally important that pupils learn the basic tenets of respect, dignity and humility. The concepts of Gemilut Chassidim, chesed and tikkun olam are equally important in the education of our children” said Geoff Cohen, director of education at Herzlia.
Michelle Scher, a counsellor at Herzlia Highlands Primary and co-ordinator of this project, put months of work into arranging this act of chesed. “At this moment the Herzlia family is experiencing the pain and anguish of supporting two pupils suffering from cancer. I wanted to use the hair-cutting ceremony as a means of showing our support to the two and their families.”
“Over 60 family members arrived at the hair-cutting ceremony, lending support to their daughters, with many mothers and fathers doing the cutting themselves.”
There were lots of tears, more from the parents than the pupils, at this very emotional event as the girls participated in a meaningful and personal way to this incredible initiative.
