By COLlive reporter
Members of the Mitzvah Center, a Shul on Troy Avenue in Crown Heights, have spearheaded a fundraiser this Chanukah to support IDF soldiers on the front lines, providing an opportunity for all to get involved in the war effort from anywhere in the world.
Yossi Chayo, owner of Bellissimo Hats, and Mendel Kugel, also a member of the Mitzvah Center, together with their Shul, are hosting a Tzedaka Live Auction and Chanukah Party Fundraising Event to bring warmth to the soldiers in the IDF.
As Chanukah approached, the members of the Shul began deciding on the details of their yearly Chanukah gathering. “We didn’t want to just host a lavish Chanukah party for ourselves to enjoy, we wanted this event to be something else, with a greater purpose,” Chayo explains. “We had a shul meeting to decide what to do for Chanukah, and instead of doing a big expensive event for us, we decided to do something for the soldiers.”
The result of their planning is an incredible auction raffle culminating in a VIP ‘Warm Up Our Warriors’ event, to be held at The Arches, a new event space in Crown Heights located at 1394 St. Johns Place. The event will take place on Thursday evening, Zos Chanukah, December 14th, and will feature a live performance by singer Eli Levin. There will also be wine, cocktails, and a warm shawarma bar provided by Sizzle. The event will include the live auction for fabulous prizes being showcased on their website.
The raffle and VIP event will benefit IDF soldiers currently on the front lines in Gaza. Working together with Rabbi Moshe Pinson of Bais Shmuel Chabad Rabbi Beryl Junik, community activists who have recently returned from a solidarity mission to Israel, they have connected with Chabad Shliach Rabbi Shalom Wexelman who lives near the border, to fund his extensive activities for the soldiers.
This Chanukah, Rabbi Wexelman has been tirelessly traveling to army bases and warming up the soldiers with the light and joy of Chanukah, holding Menorah lighting ceremonies and Chanukah parties to cheer them when needed most.
The funds raised will also go to purchasing life saving tactical equipment desperately needed on the front lines, including high-tech fire extinguishers which will be used to prevent and extinguish tank fires which have led to injuries and deaths among the soldiers during battle.
The goal of the campaign is to raise $200,000 dollars through ticket sales of the auction as well as ticket sales for the event.
You can purchase raffle tickets and event tickets through their website, raiseathon.com/mitzvahcenter, to enter to win incredible prizes. You can win $1000 at The Market Place, an original painting by Karen Gordon, family photo sessions, baby gear, a spa treatment and dozens of others. There are some big ticket items as well, such as 2 Round trip tickets to Israel, a luxury Yaffie Begun Shaitel, and $2500 to Tzfasman Jewelers. The website showcases everything available.
“If you‘ve been searching for a way to help, a way to actively contribute to the situation, this is it. This is your chance to show your strength and support those who are bravely fighting to protect our people and our country on the front lines,” Chayo says.
The event and auction winners will be broadcast on COLlive.com so you can watch and enjoy and see the results live!
Please specify if it’s just for men?
On the website they are selling Couples packages, so definitely not just for men.