By Danielle Aronovitz
Yes, it’s been five years! We are amazed and proud to have held our fifth annual bake sale through which the outpouring of love, support, cookies, cakes, babkas, and challahs of all shapes and sizes have brought together a community supporting the Lone Soldier Center in Israel founded in memory of Michael Levin, a’h.
Our first bake sale was founded in response to the terrorist attack in which three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped at the bus/hitchhiking stop at the Israeli settlement of Alon Shvut in Gush Etzion, in the West Bank, as they were hitchhiking to their homes. The three teens were Naftali Frenkel (16, from Nof Ayalon), Gilad Sha’ar (16, from Talmon), and Eyal Yifrach (19, from Elad), Hy’d.
Sitting around a Shabbos table five years ago, after hearing about the kidnapping and murder of the three boys, we knew something had to be done!
But what?
After making some calls and researching which organization would best benefit from any funds raised, it was decided that the Michael Levin Lone Soldier Center in Israel was a fitting way to honor the memory of these tzaddikim.
So the word went out. And the response was amazing.
The Lone Soldier Center Mission Statement states, “The Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin was founded by former lone soldiers to support lone soldiers serving today. Michael was an American-born lone soldier who fell fighting in Lebanon in 2006. The Lone Soldier Center was created by a group of his friends, former lone soldiers following through on a dream of Michael’s — to create a body to assist, feed, connect, and care for lone soldiers in the IDF.
“Today we are making his dream a reality; the LSC provides lone soldiers with meals, support, advice, housing, and the family and community they are missing.
“There are currently 7,000 lone soldiers serving in the IDF, from 52 countries around the world. The Center’s staff and hundreds of volunteers work very hard to build this family and provide for many of the basic off-base needs of lone soldiers. We do this to ensure they will be included, supported, and succeed in adjusting to life in Israel.”
Our bake sale has been supporting this Center and has been an annual success because of the work of so many involved. It is especially gratifying to the parents of our local lone soldiers who visit our bake sale. They are so appreciative that their children are not forgotten but, indeed, honored.
Our sale has been graciously hosted annually at Breezy’s–Dimples on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst.
Finally, a word of thank you and hakaras ha’tov to the growing number of local stores, home businesses, and home bakers who generously donated their talent, time, and baked goods for the sale. Thank you all!
We would like to thank the following vendors: Breezy’s and Dimples for hosting; Alan’s and Glick’s bakery; Baked by Simcha; Camp Shira; Crawfords; David’s Cookies; Fantasticks; the Five Towns Jewish Times; Fruit Platters and More; Kiss the Kosher Cook; Kosher Guru; Lisaabittanbakes; Naomi_Tgis; Perri’s Pastries; Ronit’s Treats; T and Cakes; the Jewish Home; the Jewish Press; Toby Schwartz Creative Thinking; and Wendeliciousbabkas.
Donations are still being accepted. Checks can be made payable to US Supporters of the Lone Soldier Center; in Memory of Michael Levin; mailed to 60 Meadow Drive; Woodsburgh, NY 11598 or at LoneSoldierCenter.com.
The bake sale committee — Lisa Abittan, Danielle Aronovitz, Chani Axelrod, Breezy Beckerman, Pam Bluth, Sara Goldberg, Lisa Hecht, Beth Kafka, Susie Lewin, Chava Lowy, Aidel Miller, Naomi Nachman, Pamela Salamon, and Susan Weingarten — takes this opportunity to thank you for supporting our lone soldiers who protect our Land of Israel each and every day. Tizku l’mitzvos.
