Cut for a cause
Tied into four loose plaits, the Great Chop inspired over 160 Beth Rivkah students to cut and donate their hair in the name of cancer treatment.
Women and students from both the Primary and Secondary School took to the stage and bravely faced amateur hairdressers to give away locks of their hair.
Following the success of the Great Chop in 2016, this year’s campaign readily captured the enthusiasm of students, parents, staff and alumni who promptly signed up to cut and donate their hair. Funds raised and piles of neatly plaited hair will again be donated to Zichron Menachem (an Israeli cancer charity) who provides wigs for children and young adults undergoing cancer treatment.
MP David Southwick, Member for Caulfield, opened the eagerly anticipated event (girls growing their hair for the last 2 years to participate) and commended students for focussing on tzedakah and giving something of ourselves to others.
Highlighting the importance of hair and what it means to a women’s confidence and self-esteem, Mrs Simona Weinstein and her daughter Chana gave a personal moving address. They spoke of their experience with Simona’s diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and how an event such as the Great Chop can truly make a difference in a cancer patient’s life.
Organised by Beth Rivkah Tzedakah captains, the afternoon was infused with excitement and energy. There was candy floss, several raffle draws and a myriad of squeals as girls held onto their cut plaits as well as vocal performances from Sarah Gross and Sarah Kisilevich.
Thanks to the generosity of the community, Beth Rivkah is thrilled to report that they have exceeded their initial goal of raising $10,000 for Zichron Menachem and will be contributing over $12,000, plus the locks of hair. Donations to this worthy cause are still being accepted via https://chuffed.org/project/the-great-chop