‘Big Bang Theory’ Star Mayim Bialik Tweets About Jewish, Health Causes Close to Her Heart
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Jewish actress Mayim Bialik reached out to Twitter followers this week to draw attention to the plight of Holocaust survivors — and to advocate for an Israel-based initiative that helps children suffering from heart disease.
The Big Bang Theory star called on her followers on Wednesday to support a project “close to [her] heart.” The Last Survivors – Echoes From the Holocaust is a television special focusing on the last remaining Holocaust survivors in Eastern Europe and the efforts of the Survivor Mitzvah Project, an organization that provides emergency aid to thousands of survivors in eight countries. The charity was founded by Zane Buzby, the director of Bialik’s former sitcom, Blossom.
Earlier this week, Bialik, whose grandparents were Holocaust survivors, tweeted, “You can save a child’s life. Help bring dying children to Israel for life-saving heart surgery,” and included a link to a donation page for the organization Save a Child’s Heart (SACH). The non-profit provides free heart treatment to children from developing countries by bringing them to the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon for life-saving cardiac care. SACH also offers “comprehensive training” to medical professionals from these countries.
From May 9 until June 9 — during which period Israel marked Independence Day — SACH is trying to raise $100,000 to help bring more children in need of heart operations to Israel. SACH’s donors will match every dollar donated by the public. The $100,000 goal must be reached in order for SACH to receive any of the funds.