Notes from Sandra Goldmeer, Executive Director, HACD
518-482-0464
The Hebrew Academy of the Capital District (HACD) will be honoring the Capital District community’s connections to Israel as part of its “Kesher L’Yisrael” (Connection to Israell) Gala, being held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Temple Israel in Albany. Doors open at 6:00 PM.
Tickets to the event include an Israeli buffet dinner, an opportunity to share personal connections to Israel, as well as a Raffle to win a pair of tickets to Israel. There will also be music for entertainment as well as Dancing (both modern and Israeli).
“We’re using this Gala event to focus on two things,” remarked Sandra Goldmeer, Executive Director. “First is the importance of having a place where any Jewish student can gain both excellent Jewish and General studies education. The Second is our community’s connection to Israel.”
HACD has always had a strong connection to Israel. Whether its teachers and students who used to live in Israel, families from HACD who make Aliyah, alumni serving in the IDF, programs with our partner region in Eshkol, or our many students and graduates who visit or study in Israel, there is no question that HACD is proud of our strong Israel connections.
But the connection to Israel goes far beyond HACD in the Capital District, and HACD feels that this should be an opportunity for the entire community to come together. Therefore, to highlight the many connections the entire Capital district community has to Israel, we are inviting everyone to share their Kesharim, connections.
This will include any time you, a family member or loved one has:
· Made Aliyah
· Served in the IDF or Sherut Leumi (National Service), including as a Lone Soldier
· Studied in Israel for a gap year or yeshiva program
· Spent time living in Israel
· Directed an educational program based in Israel
· Experienced tragedy or loss from war or terror in Israel
Community members can go online to www.hacdalbany.org/gala and share their connections. At the event, we will have boards with all the names provided listed, as well as an opportunity for attendees to bring photographs of their loved ones.
One thing that has been clear since October 7 is that we as a community and Jewish people are stronger together, and nowhere are we stronger than in our support for Israel.
In addition to raising funds for HACD, the Gala will also be donating money toward four important Israeli causes:
1) Magen David Adom
2) Michael Levin Lone Soldier Foundation
3) Kibbutz Nachal Oz (where one of our teachers lost her brother on 10/7)
4) A directed donation to the Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY to support the Youth Program partnership with Eshkol in memory of Judy Weinstein
The goal is to send $5,000 to Israel. If we surpass our fundraising target of $55,000, HACD will donate 10% of all additional funds raised.
Please join HACD in supporting both Jewish education and Israel by adding your names to the Kesharim list, attending the event, buying an ad or becoming a sponsor or Honorary committee member. Go to www.hacdalbany.org/gala or email Sandra Goldmeer, Executive director at [email protected] for more information.
