As the article points out, the great part about the program is how easy it is for any individual to play a part in ending one of the greatest health crises facing our world today. More than 500 million people are infected with malaria each year, and more than one million die from it.Yet the disease is preventable, and each and every one of us has the ability to help.  All it takes is $10 to buy an insecticide treated bed net which can help protect a family of up to four.

The article highlights some of the many heroes of Nothing But Nets.  One Bar Mitzvah boy raised $2,000 by running a basketball tournament.  Another Bar Mitzvah girl, Ilana Lieberman of Temple Concord in Vestal, New York, not mentioned in the story but highlighted on the URJ's Nothing But Nets website, raised $722 by coordinating a "Breakfast for Nets."  And, perhaps the most amazing fundraiser, Katherine Commale of Hopewell, Pa. who is only 7 years old, has raised $43,000.  These are young people with little or no money of their own leveraging their power to help children around the world. 

The article also highlights the fact that so many different groups are playing a part in the project from the faith community to the National Basketball Association to "American Idol Gives Back."  This seemingly random assortment of organizations all agree on one thing: we can no longer allow a preventable disease to wreak havoc on our watch.  As Jews our motivation for this action is clear.  Our tradition teaches that if we save a life, it is as if we have saved the entire world.  For that reason our Movement has pledged to donate 50,000 nets.

Want to help us reach our goal?  Check out the Union for Reform Judaism's Nothing But Nets site to learn how you can help today!