Bear Givers

Earlier this week, our Leading with Kindness program was carried out in a very special way. Students at Lower Lab School in the Upper East Side decorated teddy bears and wrote thoughtful notes for students at P36K@208 in Brooklyn, a school serving children with disabilities. Each bear was paired with a personal message, which created a small gesture filled with a ton of kindness.

The students at P36K celebrated the arrival of their new teddy bear friends during an event they called “Teddy Bear Day.” Staff gathered students in the cafeteria where they spoke about kindness, community, and the meaning behind the bears. One by one, students were invited to receive their own teddy bear, gifted with care by another student in the NYC public school community.

The smiles, bear hugs, and happy moments captured in these photos are exactly what Leading with Kindness is all about. 🧸 What makes this even more meaningful is that these photos will now be shared with the students at Lower Lab, so they can fully experience the joy of giving by seeing firsthand how much happiness their kindness created.
This is the heart of our Leading with Kindness program. Students uplifting other students. 💛
New York City Public Schools

Bear Givers strives to find new and innovative ways to combat antisemitism, bullying, and racism, which is why we are honored to partner with the Anti-Defamation League as a sponsor of Never Is Now (March 16–17), the world’s largest gathering dedicated to combating antisemitism and hate.

We proudly support the panel “Educators as Advocates: Foundations for Building Better Schools and Inclusive Workplaces.” We chose to sponsor this important conversation because it reflects the heart of our Leading with Kindness mission.

Through Leading with Kindness, students learn about inclusion, acceptance, and standing up against antisemitism, bullying, racism, and prejudice. They research, collaborate, and take action, giving teddy bears and handwritten messages to individuals and communities who need encouragement most. We believe education and empathy go hand in hand. Partnering with ADL, the world’s leading anti-hate organization, reinforces our shared commitment to empowering young people to create more inclusive schools and communities.

We are especially inspired as this year’s summit honors Robert Kraft with the Changemaker Award, which reminds us that leadership and action matter at every level.
Join us at Never is Now and learn more about how Bear Givers’ Leading with Kindness program is shaping youth to stand up against hate and lead with compassion.

“Hate loses when we stand together” 💙
-Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism
Stand Up to Jewish Hate

Our annual art show for Kool Kids Passaic was another unforgettable celebration of creativity and community! Students were proud to see their artwork on display for all of their friends and family to see. Our EmpowerArt Program continues to provide a space where young artists can express themselves, feel celebrated, and shine in a meaningful way. We are honored to host an event that uplifts every artist and brings the community together! 🧸

Donna Klein Jewish Academy students took part in our kindness project to spread light, connection, and holiday cheer. Sixth graders shared teddy bears and heartfelt notes with their new senior friends at Sinai Center’s Independent Living, sharing laughter and good conversations as they worked together on a Chanukah Escape room.
The impact of this experience was deeply felt. One resident shared, “I will think of you when I look at my bear and the joy you brought today,” while another remarked, “This is the most meaningful Chanukah gift I’ve received.” The residents were truly over the moon reading the students’ messages. One resident, Bilha, was so touched that she gave students her business card and invited them to join her for Chanukah lunch at Sinai this Sunday. We are so grateful to be part of moments like this, that turn simple acts of kindness into lasting memories. 🧸

The Lower Lab School participated in our Leading with Kindness Initiative for a meaningful project centered on giving back to the community. Students decorated 300 teddy bears and wrote personal messages in notecards to be gifted to children at a local shelter before the holidays. Fifth graders paired with kindergarteners to help with the project and ensure each recipient knows that someone is thinking of them.
We joined Lower Lab for an assembly to reflect on the importance of giving back. Our Chairman and Founder, Joe Sprung, spoke to the students about how they are leading with kindness and how they have the power to change the world. It was a celebration of their hard work before the bears were collected.
We want to give a special thank you to Principal Sandy Miller, Josh Goldstein, and the entire Lower Lab staff for bringing this project to life and for encouraging students to experience how powerful it feels to give back.
View our gallery: beargivers.org/lower-lab2025

This Giving Tuesday, we are celebrating the incredible impact our supporters have made! Your generosity has helped us achieve so much! So far this year, we have:
🌟 Sent over 2,000 bears to California to comfort children affected by devastating wildfires.
🌟 Continued our partnership with Mending Kids to deliver bears to children in developing countries recovering from life-saving surgeries.
🌟 Hosted our annual Art Show events and provided bears for Teddy Bear Clinics.
🌟 Sent bears to children in Israel, including young patients at Soroka Medical Center.
🌟 Helped NYC public school students experience the joy of giving through our Leading with Kindness program.
🌟 Joined families celebrating Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and special fundraising events to give back through bear donations.
And the year isn’t over yet! Our programs still have more meaningful work and events ahead.
Any donation, big or small, helps us continue spreading comfort, creativity, and kindness to children everywhere. If you are unable to give financially, you can support us by following, sharing, and spreading awareness. Thank you for helping us make the world a kinder place, one bear at a time. 🐻
https://www.beargivers.org/donate-now

Last night, Bear Givers had the pleasure of hosting our friends and supporters for a special performance of Fixing Frankie, a powerful new off-Broadway musical that celebrates our shared values of acceptance and inclusion, which are at the heart of everything we do. We were so proud to share this inspiring show with our community and want to congratulate the talented cast and production team on such a moving and successful performance!

A special thank you to our friend and Bear Givers team member, Heather Stein, for helping make this unforgettable night possible. Our guests haven’t stopped raving about it! 🐻
Learn more about the show: fixingfrankiemusical.com

Bear Givers is excited to share that our friend and supporter, David Stahl, will be featured in an upcoming art exhibit at the JCC of Mid-Westchester!
You will recognize David from past Bear Givers events, where his beautiful and unique collection of artwork has been on display. Beyond his talent as an artist, David has always been committed to giving back and has generously donated a portion of his art proceeds to nonprofits highlighted at our events. David creates vibrant three-dimensional pieces from common and often unexpected materials, transforming them into sculptures and framed works that challenge us to see the world in new ways. We hope you’ll join in celebrating David’s extraordinary talent! 🎨

“My world became larger and more complete as my life as an artist has evolved. It has given me great pleasure to share my work and poems through my website with family and friends. I take pride in presenting at various venues even though I may not be able to speak the words aloud. My growing collection of art and writing talk for me.” – David Stahl

David Stahl Art Exhibit and Reception - JCC Mid-Westchester David Stahl is a local artist who creates unique three-dimensional pieces out of common, sometimes unrelated, items and transforms them into sculptures and framed wall pieces that are unusually complex in composition. Join us to meet David and tour his exhibit.

On June 20th, Bear Givers will host a special dinner dedicated to raising awareness about PTSD and exploring the vital role that teddy bears can play in the healing process.
Since the October 7th terrorist attacks, countless lives have been shattered, not only by the physical destruction, but by the deep psychological wounds left in their wake. Survivors, families, and even those witnessing from afar continue to struggle with complex trauma, anxiety, and PTSD. The impact has been especially devastating on children, whose developing minds are particularly vulnerable to the emotional chaos of violence, fear, and loss.
For those affected by trauma, whether from October 7th or other devastating events, teddy bears offer more than comfort. These soft, familiar companions can provide:
🧸 A sense of safety and grounding during anxiety or flashbacks
🧸 A physical reminder of care and compassion when words fall short
🧸 A soothing sensory anchor that helps regulate emotions and ease emotional overwhelm
🧸 A bridge to connection, reminding survivors they are seen, supported, and not alone
We are honored to welcome leading psychiatrist Dr. Taryn Fishman, as our featured speaker. She will share insights on the emotional toll of the October 7th attacks and how tangible comfort, like the embrace of a teddy bear, can become a powerful tool for PTSD, especially for children and those facing trauma in silence. Also speaking at this Shabbat Congregational dinner will be retired Israeli Air Force Lt. Col. Danny Grossman.

We were honored to take part in Annie’s Bat Mitzvah celebration by supporting her meaningful Mitzvah Project. Annie invited her guests to write heartfelt notecards and decorate teddy bear t-shirts, which she will deliver to young children in Israel, including those affected by the atrocities of October 7th. We love seeing guests of honor like Annie turn their milestones into opportunities to give back. Mazel Tov and thank you for including Bear Givers in your special day!