There are many ways Americans can help Israel, our ally, and the only democracy in the Middle East. Below, please find a list of suggestions. We welcome other ideas from you for future bulletins. Please send them to Joseph Varon at jvaron613@aol.com.

1. Come to this year's Salute to Israel Parade -This year the parade will take place on Sunday, May 23,2004. Come cheer on the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council (for the first time) and the many other groups as we march down Fifth Avenue. The council has "Visit Ashkelon" as our theme. The parade marches down Fifth Avenue from 57 to 79 Street. A hearty congratulations to Hillcrest Jewish Center, Marathon Jewish Center and Temple Sholom for organizing our parade contingent. We hope other synagogues and organizations in the council will join our committee to plan next years participation. If you are still interested in joining us, call Corinne Steel at (718) 224-6468 to be placed on the waiting list for our buses.

2. Visit "The Walking Company"-In Roosevelt Field.-This shoe store carries a nice selection of Israeli made shoes."BeautiFeel, Teva, and Naot are available according to Manager Mike (Who is an Israeli). Check em out! Questions? Give them a call at 516-647-7136.

3. Go on a Solidarity Mission to Israel:
 A) Annual Young Israel of Jamaica Estates Mission departs on July 7 and returns on July14. (July 4 extension is available). Please call the Young Israel or e-mail Rabbi Hochberg at rabbi@yije.org. 
 B) Sixth West Hempstead Solidarity Mission departs August 22 and returns September 1.This family mission has been scheduled to commence after camp is over and conclude prior to Labor Day. For further details, including prices contact Mark Cohen at 516-485-3156.
 
4. Visit Hatov Ve'Hametiv -a wonderful local grocery. This grocery store carries a huge variety of imported Israeli products and is under the supervision of the Va'ad Harabonim of Queens. Check out their wonderful selection of items at 69-38 Main Street. (Jewel Avenue). Phone 718-263-7009

5. Cook Up a Storm!!-Purchase a copy of "United We Cook: The American Jewish Community Cooks For Israel". This magnificent, 227 page cook book is filled with recipes that were culled from across the United States and was entirely a volunteer effort. The One Family Fund, an organization that meets every two weeks to assess the needs of Israeli terror victims receives all proceeds from this project. To date every copy of the origional400 has been sold and a second printing is currently for sale. Each book costs $25 plus $4 for shipping and handling. If you would like to place an order, make your check to "One Israel Fund" for the appropriate amount and send to: Miriam Baum, 3272 Judith Lane, Oceanside, New York 11572.

6. Attend "Hatikvah"-Concert for Hope. - Join eleven incredible cantors as they donate their services and touch your heart in a concert to help the victims of terror in Israel. This phenomenal concert will take place on Sunday evening, June 13th at 6:30 P.M. at the Hillcrest Jewish Center,183-02 Union Turnpike, Flushing, NY 11366.The center is donating half the net proceeds from the concert to One Family Fund. As mentioned before, this reputable, non-profit group helps terror victims throughout Israel daily, by providing them with direct financial, legal,   and emotional assistance. Register by May 25th to receive the early bird special rate. For registration details call Hillcrest Jewish Center at 718-380-4145.

7. Donate an extra Torah- International Solidarity Day With Israeli Victims of Terror. One Family, together with the Government of Israel and Jewish congregations worldwide is organizing a massive, international unity gathering, in solidarity with the more than 900 Israeli victims of terror, and paying homage to victims of terror worldwide. More than 20,000 people are expected to attend.
 Jewish custom dictates that a Sefer Torah- a Torah Scroll unites us in its eternal life, and serves to honor the memory of a loved one. On May 23, 2004, on the eve of the festival of Shavout, more than 900 Torah scrolls will be dedicated by Jewish congregations worldwide in memory of each one of Israel's victims of terror. The scrolls will be presented to the families and communities of Israel's terror victims, uniting us as one family not only through death, but through the eternal life of our Torah. Please contact One Family at unite@onefamilyfund.org to have your organization, school or synagogue represented and to donate one of the extra Torahs in your synagogue to a family who has lost a loved one to terrorism. The donated Torahs will be given by bereaved families to schools, army bases and synagogues to perpetuate the memory of their loved ones.

If your synagogue or organization is running an event to help Israel please send us the details. If you know a store which carries Israeli products please inform us so we may publicize in a future edition of this bulletin 

Go the previous Support Israel Bulletin