2008 Woodie Awards
Hillel helps from New York to Israel
Anna Aulova
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: Features
|
If you walked by a table last Tuesday with banners written in Hebrew, miscellaneous items such as T-shirts, magnets, cards and cultural sweets, you may not have known that the table was in support of Israeli troops. Hosted by the Hillel of Baruch College, the club organized this cultural event in order for Baruch students to extend help outside of the United States.
In an effort to reach out to the Israeli soldiers fighting in a battle for freedom and safety, the members of Hillel organized this event to send out gift bags to the soldiers.
Veronika Lacktman, Hillel's Israeli member who has provided medical care in the Israeli army, helped organize the event.
"The reason I chose to prepare this particular event is to emphasize the mandatory service that people our age have to go through as part of their daily life in Israel," Lacktman explained. "As opposed to America, where enlisting is voluntary, in Israel, every man and woman over the age of 18 has to serve in the army for two years ... this service has become an essential part of their lives."
Lacktman stressed the importance of showing appreciation for those who risk their lives for others in war. "We just want to do our part in trying to make the soldiers happy by sending them simple gifts such as playing cards, chocolates, tea, coffee and fun toiletries," she said. "It is something small, but it shows that they are not alone and that we admire what they do and want to stay in touch."
The event was organized to humanize soldiers, provide support and help establish a connection between the Jewish community in Baruch with that of the West Bank troops, who protect Israeli villages from terrorist attacks.
In response to this contribution, the troops will be able to reply to the letters written by Baruch students, as well as arrange a "thank you" conference call from Israel to Hillel members. Social networks such as Facebook, make it easy to stay connected, which is the ultimate goal of sending gift bags.
Be the first to comment on this story