Hebrew Institute of Riverdale - Welcome! Bruchim HaBaim!

AMCHA NOW has Additional content Locted at www.amchacjc.org 1-888-48-AMCHA for up to the minute information...

Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
is a proud member of the
Orthodox Union.

A.M.C.H.A.

Coalition for Jewish Concerns-Amcha
3700 Henry Hudson Parkway
Bronx, New York 10463
(718) 796-4730

* ISRAEL NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW *

Update on the Israeli Vendor Fairs

Friends,

I wanted to take a moment to update you on the Israeli vendor fairs that took place during the month of June.

Literally overnight, something extraordinary took place. Amcha put out a calling for help and support and all of our communities joined together and mobilized.

In May, we started to work on bringing Israelis here to sell their merchandise because of the lack of tourism in Israel. With all of our communities coming together for a common cause, this project fortunately ended up as something truly special. Our efforts became something much more profound then selling merchandise.

Israeli vendor fairs were coordinated and held in the following communities:

Riverdale, New York - June 2nd
Scarsdale, New York - June 9th
Cedarhurst, New York - June 9th
Edison, New Jersey - June 10th
Teaneck New Jersey - June 16th
Staten Island, New York - June 17th
West Orange, New Jersey - June 19th
Stamford, Connecticut - June 23rd
Scarsdale, New York - June 23rd
Oceanside, New York - June 25th
Deal, New Jersey - June 30th

Kol Hakavod to all those involved and to all those that came out to participate. From the transporting of the vendors and their goods, to home hospitality, to the volunteering at the fairs, to the way the Israelis were treated like family...I want to personally thank each and every single one of you and your communities.

A special thank you to Hillary & Jeffrey Markowitz and to Mr. Dan Ock. Many of the Israelis that came were brought in by their efforts and their generosity.

Our Israeli friends have now returned to Israel. They have all let me know they will be ambassadors and convey to their friends, family and neighbors exactly what American Jews are accomplishing on their behalf. These are things they were not aware of before their trip to America.

They were astounded that the communities had come together and were able to accomplish so much in such a short amount of time. They were overwhelmed by the warmth, the support and the encouragement they received while they were here. We all understand this is only a temporary fix to a very serious situation, however, it is a direct way of helping.

I urge you to continue shopping Israel online. I urge you to continue to go into supermarkets and stores and purchase Israeli items. Call Israel to say hello to friends or family. Plan a trip to Israel or join up with a Solidarity Mission this summer. If you cannot get away, sponsor the trip for someone that can go. Continue to monitor the media and respond appropriately. Contact your politicians to voice your opinions and/or commend them. Come out to demonstrations and vigils. Lastly, help others to support Israel as well.

When we come together as one, there is nothing we can't accomplish. With the rest of the world isolating Israel in so many different ways, it is our duty to let our brothers and sisters in Israel know we are here for them, we are acting on their behalf and they are not alone.

We have another round of vendor fairs in October/November and I look forward to working with different communities then as well.

Yashar Koach...
Meredith Weiss