The world is always in dire need of good people committed to charitable causes however, in the midst of a global pandemic, the world needs extraordinary humans to step up more than ever. Private citizens with strong moral centers have always been able to help raise money to solve social problems as well as create opportunities for less fortunate than them. Esther Coco Berg, is one of those citizens. Berg was heavily influenced by her late father, Chaim “LOBO” Silber, who was known for his charitable contributions around the globe. LOBO always believed in treating everybody he met with the utmost dignity and respect; his personal mantra was “L’olam yhai adam,” always be a mentsch above all. Berg drives her father’s values into the world every day by living by this message as well.
Berg is a lifelong philanthropist who made her largest on-going contribution in 2007. Despite giving to a plethora of causes, Berg gravitates towards charities that speak to her and her history. Berg co-founded Couture for a Cause with her childhood friend Michal Weinstein; Berg is the perfect person to run a charity like this because of her affection for fashion and her charisma. The non-profit Jewish organization collaborates with many charities in order to extend its reach and help as many people as possible. They have helped Project Eliezer, Shirat Devorah Foundation, Renewal (a Jewish Kidney Foundation), Lev Laytzan, and many more. Due to the spectacle of their events and the strength of their fundraising ability, Berg’s charity has garnered the attention of some high-profile celebrities like Kara Janx of Project Runway, TV Personality Joan Rivers, Designer Christian Siriano, and Comedian Elon Gold. Couture for a Cause truly puts the “Fabulous in Fundraising.”
Berg is continuing to take on more philanthropic causes now as a social media ambassador for Tikva. Tikva is an organization that provides resources to save and protect Jewish children from state orphanages and poverty in Odessa, Ukraine. During a mission trip to Odessa in the summer of 2019, Berg dedicated a large contribution to the construction of a sports field in honor of her late father. Unfortunately, COVID-19 prevented Berg from traveling to the stadium this past summer for the unveiling.
Now, with the pandemic in full swing, but the holidays right around the corner, Berg is brilliantly focusing her efforts on a ‘COVID-19 safe’ toy and coat drive. Berg already plans to donate toys to her local hospitals around Hanukkah. With the aim of helping the orphans in Odessa deal with the brutal temperatures and quite literally survive the winter, the coat drive will raise money for “winter packages” providing coats and other cold gear for the children. Of course, Berg is utilizing her network to get Tikva involved in the cause as well.
Berg’s desire to live life to the fullest as well as continue her father’s mission informs her decisions every day. This is precisely why she has made it her life’s mission to help those in need. Berg has a strong sense of urgency to help those less fortunate than her, especially during these tragic times. It truly can be said that she is the embodiment of her father’s values and life’s purpose.
Disclaimer: No Deccan Chronicle journalist was involved in creating this content. The group also takes no responsibility for this content.
