Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America

My name is Evyn Lobel, and I am 12 years old. I live in Chicago, IL, and I am in seventh grade at Francis W. Parker School. My bat mitzvah is in February 2024. For my mitzvah project, I aim to bring more joy and care to people suffering in Israel. I established a fundraiser to support children and families impacted by the war in Israel.

This fundraiser is important to me because children and families have been traumatized after being invaded, murdered, taken hostage, and now live in fear. For a long time, kids in Israel will not feel safe. I know that if my family was put in this position, I would be so scared and would want people to try and help me. I am fortunate to live in a safe place away from war. Even though I won’t be able to understand the extent of the fear the children are going through, I know that I can do something to help. I hope this project brings some momentary joy to these children and families and lets them know that many people care about their well-being.

Your donation will benefit the OU-Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus Tel Aviv (OU-JLIC TLV) Emergency Fund (https://oujlic.org), which has an on-the-ground presence in Israel to help families that were abruptly relocated from the war zone to Tel Aviv. The OU-JLIC TLV will use these funds to purchase and hand-deliver toys directly to children for Hanukkah. Children in Israel will not have a normal Hanukkah this year, and that makes me very sad. A toy drive will help provide a brief moment of normalcy for children when they get presents. Below are some pictures from recent OU-JLIC TLV deliveries to displaced children.

The toys will be purchased from family-owned Rosenfeld Toys (https://rosenfeldtoys.com/about), the oldest toy store in Jerusalem, which was started in 1934 after the founder immigrated from Germany before the Holocaust.

I am also making and distributing handmade bracelets to spread a message of peace. Each individual who contributes to the fundraiser will also receive a bracelet. By wearing these bracelets, people might be able to think about what is happening in Israel differently and not forget the struggle of Jewish families in Israel and throughout the world today as a result of rising antisemitism.

Thank you for supporting Israeli children and families!

Love,

Evyn Lobel

My name is Lucas Rosenbloom, and I am 12 years old. I live in Atlanta, GA, and I am in seventh grade at Sutton Middle School. My bar mitzvah is in February 2024. For my mitzvah project, I am creating a fundraiser to support children and families impacted by the war in Israel.

This fundraiser is important to me because when I first heard of the war in Israel, I felt so bad for all the kids who have to live in fear of murder, kidnapping and so much more. I would be so scared if I had to be in their position so for my project I want to raise money to give toys to the kids in Israel and here in Atlanta during Hannukah. I hope this project can bring joy to kids and families during this hard time.

Your Go Fund Me donation will benefit the OU-Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus Tel Aviv (OU-JLIC TLV) Emergency Fund (https://oujlic.org), which has an on-the-ground presence in Israel to help families that were abruptly relocated from the war zone to Tel Aviv. The OU-JLIC TLV will use these funds to purchase and hand-deliver toys directly to children for Hanukkah. The toys will be purchased from family-owned Rosenfeld Toys (https://rosenfeldtoys.com/about), the oldest toy store in Jerusalem, which was started in 1934 after the founder immigrated from Germany before the Holocaust.

I also wanted to do something here in Atlanta. There are many families from Israel who recently moved to Atlanta because of the war, leaving behind many of their belongings. I am going to buy toys and bring them to the kids so they can have presents for Hannukah. I am partnering with Mission: Embrace Israel (https://www.missionembraceisrael.org). They are working to bring victims of the October 7th attack on Israel to U.S. homes to recuperate and get the care they need. If you would like to help, you can Venmo my mom @MarissaRosenbloom and we will use the funds to purchase presents.

Thank you for supporting Israeli children and families!