Please replace the fictitious "Temple David" in the text with the name of your congregation, minyan, day school, etc. This is a sample, so feel free to edit it as appropriate.

Subject Line: Temple David Purim appeal for Yad Chessed

Dear Friends,

I am writing to invite you to participate in Temple David's 2011 Purim appeal for Yad Chessed.

Yad Chessed is a local grassroots charity that provides emergency and supplemental assistance to needy families in the greater Boston Jewish community.

Yad Chessed has created a communitywide program building on the ancient Jewish practice of giving matanot l'evyonim ("gifts to the poor"), which the Book of Esther enjoins us to do on Purim day. In 2010, 50 area congregations, day schools, and college Hillels participated enabling Yad Chessed to distribute $80,000 in food assistance on Purim day itself.

Please join us this year as we collect matanot l'evyonim funds at the megillah reading on Purim night, March 19. Bring your check payable to Yad Chessed with you that night or drop it off in advance at the synagogue office. We will tally the collection and inform Yad Chessed of the amount the next morning so that all of the funds can be distributed on Purim day.

You can also donate online before Purim at http://yadchessed.org/donate. Please put the congregation's name in the "Designation" field.

Hag Purim Sameach! Happy Purim!

[signed by rabbi or social action chair or Yad Chessed coordinator, etc.]