Yossi's Goal by Ellen Schwartz Page A

“it’s
tzedakeh
.”
    â€œWhat’s the difference?” Daniel growled.
    Mrs. Belnick wagged her finger, though she continued to smile. “A big difference. It’s not a handout; it’s simple justice. Those with more helping out those with less. There’s no shame in it.”
    â€œExcept when you’re on the receiving end,” Daniel muttered.
    â€œSo,” Mrs. Belnick went on, “when you get on your feet, it’ll be your turn to help. That’s what the
landsmanschaft
is for— to help fellow immigrants get settled.”
    Daniel grunted. Mrs. Belnick ignored him and reached into the bag. “Now, foryou, Mrs. Mendelsohn, a nice warm head-scarf.” She pulled out a blue
babushka
and handed it to Mama.
    Mama took it without looking at it and laid it in her lap. “Thank you,” she whispered. The expression on her face was so pained that Yossi looked away.
    â€œAnd I also have one for you, Mrs. Bernstein,” Mrs. Belnick said, giving a brown
babushka
to Sadie. Yossi noticed that one edge was frayed. Sadie murmured her thanks in a low voice.
    â€œNow, for you, young Miriam, something to keep you toasty on those cold winter nights.” Mrs. Belnick handed Yossi’s sister a faded red flannel nightgown.
    Part of the rick-rack trim was torn and hung loosely from the bodice. Yossi saw Miriam, then Mama, glance at the rip. Mrs. Belnick’s eyes followed theirs. “A small tear,” she said apologetically.
    â€œMiriam’s clever with her needle,” Mama said tightly. “Aren’t you, Miriam?”
    Miriam nodded, her hands bunching the nightgown into a small ball.
    â€œNow, what’s next?” Mrs. Belnick said, reaching deeper into the bag. “Oh, yes. For you, Mr. Mendelsohn.” She handed Papa a gray wool winter hat. It had earflaps and was lined with flannel. The chin strap was broken.
    Papa’s face colored. “I don’t want it.”
    â€œBut Mr. Mendelsohn, just look at it, it’s so warm,” Mrs. Belnick said, sounding distressed. “You need a warm hat to get you through the winter.”
    Papa opened his mouth to speak but coughed instead. It was a loose rumbly cough. Listening to the familiar sound, Yossi realized that Papa had been coughing for several weeks now. Before Papa could reply, Mama said in a low voice, “Just take it, Avram.” Papa clutched the cap, his mouth set in a line.
    â€œNow it’s your turn, young man,” Mrs. Belnick said, nodding at Yossi. His heart beat fast. He hated the idea of taking hand-me-downs, but still, he couldn’t help wondering what she had for him.
    His breath stopped when he saw it. A winter coat. Navy blue, hooded, with two deep pockets and wooden toggles that fastened up the front. One of the pockets was torn, and there were several tiny burn holes spattered over the coat. But it was splendid. It was the most wonderful thing he had ever owned.

    â€œOh, Yossi!” Mama gasped, and Yossi could see that even she was dazzled. “Put it on.”
    It fit perfectly. Yossi fastened all the toggles and put the hood on and off and on again. He thrust his hands into the pockets and hugged the coat to himself.
    â€œImagine casting off such a coat,” Mama said incredulously.
    Mrs. Belnick shrugged. “Perhaps the child outgrew it. You know how boys grow.” She smiled, and Yossi sensed that she was relieved that finally someone was happy to accept one of the donations.
Happy!
He never wanted to take the coat off, not even to let Mama sew the torn pocket.
    â€œNow, finally, for you,” Mrs. Belnick said, nodding at Daniel, “a nice warm sweater.”She pulled a thick gold and green woolen sweater out of the bag. “There’s a hole in the elbow,” she went on, poking her finger in, “but nothing that a little darning won’t fix—”
    â€œI don’t want it,” Daniel