Babylon Synagogue Creates Fundraiser For Victims Of Israeli Attacks

BABYLON VILLAGE, NY — A Babylon congregation is collecting donations to help support those affected by recent attacks in the Israeli/Gaza border.

Congregation Beth Sholom, located at 441 Deer Pk Ave, is accepting funds for Magen David Adom, or the "Israeli Red Cross", after terrorist Hamas conducted a surprise attack on Israeli civilians on Saturday.

President of the board of congregation Farley Nachemin told Patch that the organization will make its own donation to the cause, as well as asking for support from its members and the community.

They are also accepting physical donations such as blankets and pillows.

"Our members have various friends or relatives who are over there," he said.

None of those people have been injured, that they are aware of.

While no vigils have been planned, the congregation intends to discuss the attacks at its Friday night and Saturday services.

Nachemin said even before announcing the fundraiser, he had already received messages from the community — from people of different faiths — wanting to help.

"When I got to the building yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon to set up for our board meeting, there were many messages of people from the local community and (parishoners) from St. Joseph's Church," he said.

A group of women also reached out to Nachemin, informing him they had already collected blankets for the cause.

"It feels really, very nice, because it's not something that we necessarily expected,"Nachemin "There's so much stress going on in the world right now, between Ukraine and politics and everything else."

Members of Hamas launched thousands of rocket strikes from Gaza on Saturday, while on the ground they shot Israelis and took several hostages as dawn broke, reports indicated.

It was not only the Sabbath, but a Jewish holiday, as the sneak attack comes on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, another unexpected offensive against Israel.

The shock rippled across Long Island as news spread, with many speaking out. Many expressed support for the innocent lives lost.

"It's very heartwarming to see that level of support, that people are looking at these atrocities going on there, and understanding that it's just not right," said Nachemin. "And trying to help move it towards something more positive."

On Friday, Israel ordered Palestinians to evacuate the southern part of the besieged territory, an unprecedented order ahead of an expected ground invasion against the ruling Hamas militant group, the Associated Press reported.

Gaza City is home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. The order sparked widespread panic among civilians and aid workers already running from Israeli airstrikes and contending with a total siege of Gaza. Israel has cut off all food, water and supplies and caused a territory-wide blackout, the Associated Press reported.

"It's horrible on a microcosm basis there, but just in general, it's horrible in the world," said Nachemin. "This stuff goes on. You'd like to think people are better than this."

To help the congregation's cause, Nachemin said to call 631-587-5650. If you would like to mail a donation, please mail it to: PO Box 64 Babylon, 11702.

The congregation does not receive mail at its physical building, Nachemin said.

If someone were to mail a donation we don’t get mail at the building because there is frequently no one there so we ask for the mail to the PO Box.