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ATZUM’s Documentary – the Aftermath of Terror

August 10, 2010 by

ATZUM is currently working on a short documentary film to offer insight into the healing process in the aftermath of terror. Last week I had the privilege to be part of a conversation with two survivors of terror who are participating in this film. On the way home I had time to ponder something they said.

The conversation took place at the end of a very long, intense day. A. is directing the film. She is a 24-year-old survivor of terror seriously wounded in high school on a Jerusalem bus. She suffered burns Keep Reading

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The Good People Fund and ATZUM Do Some Good Together

July 21, 2009 by

The Tzedakah Diaries - 2009-07-15The Good People Fund is a Tzedaka organization that works with ATZUM to help survivors of terror and Righteous Among the Nations. It is one of the organizations that ATZUM turns to as a resource to try and meet some of the needs of the people we assist before depleting our own resources. Atzum’s social worker, Karyn London, recently turned to the Good People Fund to assist a boy named Avi who was seriously injured by a Hamas rocket in last winter’s Gaza war in the south of Israel.

In the beginning, Avi’s doctors did not have much hope for his recovery. If he would survive they felt he would be brain-damaged and have many other physical problems. Avi however proved the medical establishment wrong and has been steadily improving over the course of the last 7 months.

The road has not been smooth however. Avi is still undergoing intensive rehabilitative therapy and both of his parents have not been able to work due to the care Avi requires. His rehabilitation is in Jerusalem and the parents need to travel the significant distance from Beersheva many times a week.

Avi’s family have received financial support but what Avi needed was a little fun. It is for this reason that Karyn turned to the Good People Fund who agreed to sponsor some fun activities for Avi. This week Avi was finally able to go to the zoo and willl hopefully take another trip to the bowling alley and have a therapeutic horse riding session.

ATZUM thanks the Good People Fund for their continual support of our efforts.

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NY Fundraising Concert Raises $5250 for ATZUM

May 31, 2009 by

NY Benefit ConcertOn May 21st, 2009 in celebration of “Yom Yerushalayim”, the Conservative Synagogue of Fifth Avenue hosted a benefit concert for ATZUM featuring internationally acclaimed musician Andy Statman. It was a successful and delightful evening filled with inspiration and magnificent music. Hazzan Bat-Ami Moses introduced the evening with Psalms and an overview of ATZUM’s powerful impact on Israeli society. Rabbi David Gaffney shared words of the significance of “Jerusalem Day.” For the next hour the sold out house was blessed with  two sets of music featuring the genius of Andy Statman‘s clarinet and mandolin. He was accompanied by two superb musicians, Larry Eagle on percussion and Jim Whitney on bass. The evening closed with Rabbi Levi Lauer’s comments on how meaningful and important our support in the States is to the work of ATZUM and its projects assisting Israeli survivors of terror, banishing human trafficking from Israel and honoring those Righteous Among the Nations who live in Israel. We thank all of our supporters and contributors for making this event so special and successful!

Filed Under: Current and Past Events, Roberta Project for Survivors of Terror Tagged With: , ,

4 Days Left to Buy Tickets for NY Fundraising Concert

May 18, 2009 by

On May 21st, the Conservative Synagogue of Fifth Ave. will host a benefit concert for ATZUM. The concert features the virtuoso klezmer and jazz musician, Andy Statman.

There is one week left to purchase tickets. This is an opportunity to hear the renowned klezmer and eclectic musician, Andy Statman, in a very intimate setting and support ATZUM’s Roberta Project for Survivors of Terror which assists victims of terror in Israel. If you can’t attend personally, please consider buying a ticket to be left at the door for students or others who couldn’t afford to attend.

To purchase tickets send an email to: statmanconcert@gmail.com

Ticket prices are:

Program Sponsor $720     4 tickets and designation in program
Double Chai $360                2 tickets and designation in program
Chai $180 $180                    1 ticket and designation in program
Donor $ 72
Synagogue Member $ 54

For more information, please see: ATZUM Benefit Concert.

http://ATZUM.org

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Israel Memorial Day Program with Dallas Yavneh Academy Students

May 14, 2009 by

On the eve of the most difficult day on the Israel calendar, Israel memorial day,  ATZUM shared  a meaningful morning with Dallas’ Yavneh  Academy student delegation to the March of the Living. Rabbi Levi Lauer spoke about our commitment as Jews to fulfill the  mitzva of memory in honoring those who sacrificed everything that we might live with sovereign dignity. An extended and thoughtful discussion ensued.

Two Israeli terror victims K, 17 and A 27, joined the session and shared their experiences of the terror attack they survived. They spoke with great candor to the students about their struggle for recovery and the group asked about their commitment to Israel, their frustrations and their hopes for the future.

In addition we were privileged to have high school and one year program  students volunteering with ATZUM, speak to the group about their weekly work  with families effected by terror. Before leaving, each of the Dallas students made beautiful occasion cards to be send to families on the yahrtzeit of a murdered family member or before holidays when loved ones are painfully missed.

We thank the participants from the Dallas Yavneh Academy for making this session a priority of their visit and for caring so deeply.

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Dallas Highschool Raises Money for ATZUM

April 24, 2009 by

Points for Peace

Points for Peace is an annual fundraising basketball tournament organized and staffed by Dallas’ Yavneh Academy of high school students. It is a project of Students Against Terrorism, a student-run organization whose goal is to demonstrate solidarity with Israel and support Israeli terror victims.

Students of Dallas Yavne highschoolEveryone who participated in the 2009 Points For Peace Basketball Tournament walked away a winner. With $50,000 raised and donated to ATZUM, the student led organization is celebrating a seventh tournament which has provided a day of community spirit in helping those in Israel who have suffered due to terrorism.

Since 2002, SAT has, through learn-a-thons, the annual “Points for Peace” basketball tournament, the sale of “StandStrong4Israel” bracelets, and other programs, raised over $300,000. Monies have supported an Israeli family whose son was injured in a bombing in 2001, paid for half of an ambulance for the Magen David Adom, monies have been sent to support Camp Koby, which provides a nurturing camp program to children of families struck by terrorism and the Keren Malka Foundation which provides long-term no-cost loans of specialized and expensive home equipment; walkers, standers, special wheelchairs, bath inserts, bed lifts and more.

“This year we chose ATZUM because of the sincerity and passion we saw in its founder, Levi Lauer,” said Brittney Herson ’09, Points for Peace president. “Rabbi Lauer came all the way from Israel to speak with SAT about his personal mission and dedication to his organization. The personal stories of all of the people he had helped, and the lives he has saved, made us want to help.” “These young ladies and gentlemen are incredible and every day school in the country should sponsor a Students Against Terrorism organization,” said Rabbi Lauer. “I’m so impressed with their commitment, their concern, and their contributions to making this world a better place. We, at ATZUM, are honored to be the recipient of the monies raised at this year’s Points for Peace tournament and, with the help of these dedicated students and all who participate, we will continue to help many.”

“Rabbi Lauer made us feel so special for our hard work, and in turn inspired us,” said Brittney. “For him to be at our event and partake and volunteer and see all of our efforts in play was amazing and it truly completed the day and made it extra special.”

“We went door-to-door and it was amazing that, even when so many people are having hard times, we were still able to collect so much money,” said Tali Richman, a member of The Power Rangers team which won their division (7-8th grade girls) and who raised a record $2000 for one team. “Kohl’s donated $500 and that helped a lot. We love playing in the tournament but this was about so much more than basketball, it was more about doing for others. Israel is our homeland and to see it torn by war is upsetting. Anything we can do to help, we want to do.”

“I hope that through Points for Peace we were able to open the eyes and hearts of the Jewish community,” said Brittney. “We want to empower them and let everyone know how even the smallest contribution makes a huge difference.”

Filed Under: Current and Past Events, Roberta Project for Survivors of Terror Tagged With: , , , , ,

Fundraising Marathon Raises Money for ATZUM

March 1, 2009 by

Karen Bloom running marathon fundraiserKaren Bloom is a cousin of our late project coordinator, Roberta Bernstein (ז”ל) for whom the survivors of terror project is named. Eighteen months ago, Roberta, her husband and daughter were tragically killed in an automobile accident. In February, Karen ran a half-marathon through the areas of the Bronx where Roberta grew up. Karen’s marathon fundraiser raised $5,606 for the survivors of terror project. We greatly value Karen’s partnership in our efforts to alleviate the urgent human need of Israeli terror victims.

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