Two Jewish teenagers in Long Island, N.Y., held a local car wash to help raise money to support Israel Defense Forces’ soldiers and collected more than $10,000 following Israel’s 11-day conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Great Neck residents Zachary H., 12, and Jordan P., 13, along with their family and friends, coordinated the car wash and gave the $10,000 as a donation to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. Rabbi Yamin Levy at Beth Hadassah Synagogue in Great Neck, N.Y., helped get the community to join and support the event.
Jordan said, “As the son of a former IDF soldier, I find what is occurring in our world today incredibly heartbreaking. We need to stand up for our nation by supporting the soldiers who are risking their lives to defend our homeland.”
Zachary added, “With the rise of anti-Semitism, it’s now more important than ever to support the homeland of the Jewish people.”
FIDF Long Island chapter executive director Pninit Cole applauded the initiative taken by the teens. She said the car wash “brought the community together and enabled everyone involved to unite and play a role in supporting IDF soldiers.”
“This is a great example of solidarity and collective efforts,” said Cole. “The world needs more Jordans and Zachs, and we cannot wait to see what the two of them will do next. We at FIDF salute them.”
