Eating to help Israeli poor
Briana Byrd - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Metro
What started as a community-service project in Baltimore has spread throughout the nation and has made a stop at an Iowa City restaurant - Oasis.
The completely student-run organization, America Eats for Israel, encourages food establishments throughout the country to donate 10 percent of their gross revenue to the group that then uses the funds to help impoverished Israelis.
America Eats for Israel was started in 2004 by a high-school senior at Yeshivat Rambam Maimonides Academy of Baltimore, Avi Goldberg. Since then, it has expanded to include 103 participating restaurants all over the United States and Canada.
"When I get an e-mail from my friends in New York and see how far it has spread, it's great to see how big of an influence you really have," said Alex Porcelain, a high-school senior and national co-director of America Eats for Israel. "It's so much responsibility, but it's incredible when we go around to the restaurants and see the people who are eating there."
In the past three years, the group has raised more than $60,000, but he anticipates raising around $30,000 this year, Porcelain said.
Local Middle Eastern restaurant Oasis Falafel, 206 N. Linn St., has always had an interest in donating to charitable causes, said Naftaly Stramer, the restaurant's owner.
"One of the goals was to be involved in the community. As time went on and we got requests from places like those, we agreed immediately," he said. "We are trying to be apolitical. We have Israeli, Arab, and American customers; we try not to involve politics with the restaurant."
Aside from previously donating 10 percent of the daily proceeds to Hurricane Katrina victims, Stramer said the restaurant also gives money to the community, UI student groups, and to help those affected by the conflict in Sudan.
"We do a lot of those things, so helping Israelis in need is definitely something we do," he said.
An added benefit to participating in the event is that by advertising causes such as America Eats for Israel, other establishments could hear about it and participate.
"Even though our donation is a small one, when many people participate, it can add up," Stramer said. "It can help [needy Israelis] to get a piece of living a good life. We are advertising it everywhere, so when other establishments here about us, they think that maybe they should do that too."
For Porcelain, he has gained much more than leadership skills.
"There's no greater feeling then knowing that you helped to organize this whole thing, especially since it's for such a great cause," he said.
E-mail DI reporter Briana Byrd at:
briana-byrd@uiowa.edu
The completely student-run organization, America Eats for Israel, encourages food establishments throughout the country to donate 10 percent of their gross revenue to the group that then uses the funds to help impoverished Israelis.
America Eats for Israel was started in 2004 by a high-school senior at Yeshivat Rambam Maimonides Academy of Baltimore, Avi Goldberg. Since then, it has expanded to include 103 participating restaurants all over the United States and Canada.
"When I get an e-mail from my friends in New York and see how far it has spread, it's great to see how big of an influence you really have," said Alex Porcelain, a high-school senior and national co-director of America Eats for Israel. "It's so much responsibility, but it's incredible when we go around to the restaurants and see the people who are eating there."
In the past three years, the group has raised more than $60,000, but he anticipates raising around $30,000 this year, Porcelain said.
Local Middle Eastern restaurant Oasis Falafel, 206 N. Linn St., has always had an interest in donating to charitable causes, said Naftaly Stramer, the restaurant's owner.
"One of the goals was to be involved in the community. As time went on and we got requests from places like those, we agreed immediately," he said. "We are trying to be apolitical. We have Israeli, Arab, and American customers; we try not to involve politics with the restaurant."
Aside from previously donating 10 percent of the daily proceeds to Hurricane Katrina victims, Stramer said the restaurant also gives money to the community, UI student groups, and to help those affected by the conflict in Sudan.
"We do a lot of those things, so helping Israelis in need is definitely something we do," he said.
An added benefit to participating in the event is that by advertising causes such as America Eats for Israel, other establishments could hear about it and participate.
"Even though our donation is a small one, when many people participate, it can add up," Stramer said. "It can help [needy Israelis] to get a piece of living a good life. We are advertising it everywhere, so when other establishments here about us, they think that maybe they should do that too."
For Porcelain, he has gained much more than leadership skills.
"There's no greater feeling then knowing that you helped to organize this whole thing, especially since it's for such a great cause," he said.
E-mail DI reporter Briana Byrd at:
briana-byrd@uiowa.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
JW Haga
posted 3/12/08 @ 6:13 AM CST
Stramer's actions seem to speak louder than any words.
Thanks!
Jessie
posted 3/12/08 @ 7:57 AM CST
I'm glad that Americans are doing something to support Israel. Israel is a wonderful place, and if you haven't been there I would highly recommend for anyone interested in Jewish cultural immersion to go. (Continued…)
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