twestival local - Tweet.Meet.Give. - March 24, 2011

Jerusalem Twestival 2011

8:00 PM Thursday, 24 March 2011

Supporting Meneket RivkA

Meneket RivkA is a memorial tzedakah (charity) project in honor of RivkA Matitya a Jerusalem blogger, activist and educator who died of breast cancer this year. To honor her life and as a tribute to all that RivkA gave to us, the Twestival organizers have decided to support Meneket RivkA at this year's Twestival donating 100% of the funds raised to help establish this worthy cause.

Meneket RivkA was conceived of by RivkA's friends, students and teachers to serve a cause that she truly believed in, carried out in association with the Jerusalem Breastfeeding Center and the Eden Center, and with the blessing of RivkA's family.

Among RivkA’s many passions was breastfeeding education and support. As a La Leche League leader she inspired many women, both to breastfeed their children as well as to become breastfeeding educators and lactation consultants themselves. RivkA believed very strongly that breastfeeding, and breastfeeding education, should be accessible to everyone. She did not receive payment for her services, and offered breastfeeding help to anyone and everyone, even in the final weeks leading up to her passing.

As a tribute to RivkA's passions, and belief in the importance of women's body awareness and health, an unique new service: "Meneket RivkA", a "Gemach" (Lending Center) for top-of-the-range Breastmilk Pumps for new mothers in need of such equipment but unable to afford it was founded in her memory.

You can read more about RivkA's belief in the importance of breastfeeding, and more about RivkA, on her incredible blog "Coffee and Chemo", which she wrote up until her recent passing.