2021 INITIATIVES
UJC
There is perhaps no greater exemplar of unbounded kindness in our times than the late Eric Samson, Ezriel Ben David z’’l. Eric was a baal Chessed of the highest order. His acts of kindness and philanthropy locally and internationally were simply astounding. How fitting therefore that what would have been Eric's 83rd birthday this year (10 October) fell out in the week of Parshat Lech Lecha where the Torah introduces us to our forefather Avraham - the quintessential biblical archetype of Chessed.
If Avraham was the founding father of the Jewish people thousands of years ago, Eric Samson was a father of the Jewish people in modern times. Like Avraham, Eric cared for every person, especially the poor and the vulnerable. He saw the godliness and potential in all and coupled his remarkable generosity with a good eye, a humble spirit and gentle soul. Eric had no airs and graces, and he received everyone that he encountered with a warm gentleness.
Also like Avraham, Eric was an iconoclast who challenged the existing order and was a trailblazer for good in the world. He too has left an eternal legacy.
As part of the Eric Samson Legacy Foundation initiative - Kindness to the Power of 10 - our UJC beneficiary organisations (all of which benefited greatly from Eric’s Chessed) have put heart and soul into giving back, through acts of kindness, and modelling Eric's wonderful personal attributes.
Take a look below at the heart-warming photos and videos captured during the special birthday month initiative and join us in spreading the message of kindness in honour of the late Eric Samson z’’l. You can submit your act of kindness here.
Phyllis Jowell Jewish Day School
Eric Samson Z'l ensured that many institutions and organisations could continue their work with his support. Institutions in Cape Town have taken to do something in the merit of Eric z'l who would have been celebrating his birthday this month.
We at Phyllis Jowell Jewish Day School want to honour the memory of the late Eric z'l by putting into action the three things that the world stands on, as taught to us by our sages in Pirkei Avot. The three principles are Torah, Avodah (Prayer) and Gemilut Chasadim (acts of kindness). We learnt Mishna Avot, said special Tehilim in his memory and made sandwiches as a school to distribute to the poor in our city as our act of kindness.
Sandton Sinai
School kids making their pledges of kindess!
Miracle Drive
Miracle box hamper for helpers dedicated to Eric Samson.
Tikvah Packages
YALE
Video in memory of the late Eric's 83rd birthday with love from all at YALE.
GLENDALE
A beautiful video from Glendale's Shabbat Circle to tribute and honour the great Eric Samson.
"We sing, we dance, we pray and we learn about the weekly parashah with the wonderful Emunah van Zyl. We then connect with the Chabbad on campus students to light candles."
What a special way to end the week and pay tribute to a wonderful man.
Sinai Academy
Learning dedications by all the students , and chavrusa project in honour of Eric Samson’s birthday
CSO
CSO had several sessions with Herzlia students on security awareness, self-defence, and medical training in honour of the late Eric Samson z’’l during the special birthday month initiative.
ORT Jet and Staffwise
Eric was a dear friend to ORT Jet, his generous contributions and kindness ensured our sustainability, may his memory be a blessing to all. In his honour, ORT Jet and Staffwise dedicated their Shining Light Awards Ceremony 2021 in the name of Eric Samson.
Samson Prime Minister's Prize
Keren Hayesod congratulates the 2021 recipients for Innovation in Alternative Energy and Smart Mobility for Transportation.
Following the passing of our dear friend Eric Samson z"l, Keren Hayesod is proud to be part of continuing his legacy together with Sheila Samson and their family.
We are grateful to the Samson's, creators and sponsors of this prestigious annual award, for their unparalleled leadership, generosity and friendship with Keren Hayesod and the people of Israel.
Yeshivat Ateret Yaacov
We are dedicating the learning of the yeshiva of the entire year to the aliya of the neshoma of Ezriel ben David z"l....
The yeshiva is based in Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel.
Jewish Community Services
During the month of October the JCS did the Foodbank Parcels in honour of the late Eric Samson
Cape Town Torah High
As part of a city –wide initiative in memory and merit of Eric Samson OBM, Ezriel ben David z”l, CTTH had a special morning of learning in depth all about Tzedaka using a special curriculum booklet compiled by Rabbi Bernstein. Eric OBM, and his wife and family absolutely personify generosity and tzedaka, and have had an immeasurable impact on our school, our community, and indeed the world, with their unparalleled giving. Older students were paired up to teach younger students across both divisions in training how to “give back” and we are sure the Torah learning will bring much merit to the neshama of Ezriel ben David z’l.
Cape Jewish Seniors Association
Their Rosh Hashana meals were delivered to seniors in honour of Eric Samson.
United Herzlia Schools
“Discover Reframed 2021” was a structured, three-day programme with the first two days away at the Houwhoek hotel in Grabouw. The first day’s agenda focused on discovering “Who am I?” where Elisheva Gilbert, the CMO of Sasfin, shared her inspiring personal story highlighting the importance of setting one's goals for the future. The second day was themed around the relationships that we have with our families, friends and communities with guest speakers sharing thought-provoking perspectives and ended with a sunset hike to get in touch with nature. The third day, taking place on a Friday, created the beautiful space to prepare for Shabbat back in Cape Town with a challah bake and Rabbi Cannon’s personal story and insights into the value of Shabbat as a family-enriching tool.
Rabbi Sean Cannon adds, “we are so grateful for everything that the Samson family and Eric stood for, namely his values of honesty, integrity and building a beautiful Jewish future. It’s fitting to dedicate this year's Discover programme in memory of Eric Samson because it’s these values that we emphasise on Discover.”
Chabad at Chapman University
Providing a Shabbat experience and Kosher meals for hundreds of
Jewish students at Chapman University!
Telfed
Eric changed so many peoples' lives and continues to do so. The Samson SASI students are honouring his legacy and paying forward the goodness by volunteering once a week during the academic year with "Save a Child's Heart" (Wolfson Hospital), families with special needs and senior citizens at Beit Protea.
Through this initiative, we honour the principles Eric held dear – the importance of family, community, care and collective responsibility.
Astra
Jewish Sheltered Employment - Take on to learn Torah in Eric Samson’s name:
Rabbi Avi Shlomo from Cape Town Torah High School and some of his rabbinical students visit the centre every Friday morning and offer the Astra beneficiaries inspirational torah teachings and the opportunity to lay tefillin. This is in memory of Eric Samson z"l.
Staffwise
An act of kindness in honour of Eric Samson z"l.
In honour of Eric Samson, Staffwise invites you to pledge your support to our employment project by offering an employment or internship opportunity for an unemployed member of our community to re-enter the workforce!
King David Schools
The late Eric Samson z"l was a dear friend to King David Schools and the SABJE and was instrumental in the building and establishing our precious schools, many of which would not be here today had it not been for the generosity of this great man.
Thank you to King David Schools for sharing the Kindness campaign on their social network.
The Academy of Jewish Thought and Learning
The project aimed to bring people from around the world to complete the learning of the entire Torah (the Tanach - the bible; the Mishnah; and the Gemara). This is a huge amount of learning, all in the merit of Eric Samson z"l.
Most people never get anywhere near learning this within a lifetime.
More than 215 individuals and organisations participated, please find a link here.
Yeshivat Orayta
Eric Samson z’l was an extraordinary leader and exceptional role model.
Among the many outstanding hallmarks of his greatness was the consistency in which he looked to help the Jewish community all over the world.
Just knowing that a man of such enormous stature genuinely cared about them to make that kind of time for them, warmed and inspired the countless people who sought and needed his help.
We at Yeshivat Orayta are proud to associate ourselves with Eric’s iconic legacy. His overflowing love for all will inspire our students to make chessed an integral and continuous part of their daily lives.
Everyday we encounter abundant opportunities to help others, Eric’s life is a bright beacon that shows us the way to always offer a helping hand in any way we can.