Congregation Kol Ami, the conservative synagogue in North Tampa, announced a partnership today to send care packages and tokens of support to at least 11 U.S. soldiers serving oversees in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On Sunday, November 6, the Congregation will prepare care the packages, children will write letters, decorate shoe boxes, draw pictures and make crafts at the synagogue social hall.
By partnering with the Florida Chapter of the AT&T Veteran Organization’s “Project Adopt a Soldier,” upon Kol Ami’s request AT&T provided a list of several soldiers who are currently deployed in combat areas and is reimbursing shipping for care packages to each of the adopted soldiers.
The Kol Ami congregants are raising money to send the rest.
“When my family visits Israel there seems to be uniformed soldiers everywhere,” says Yoav Rappaport, chair of the Social Action Committee for Kol Ami (www.kolami.org). “In Tampa, you may not see a uniformed soldier for several weeks or perhaps only when you visit businesses close to MacDill.”
But he says many congregants have family in the military or know of those who are serving.
That’s why, he says, the Congregation wanted to reach out to soldiers to let them know that the Kol Ami community is thinking about them and appreciate what they are doing to protect our freedom.
He says regardless of what congregants think of the wars, they support the soldiers who are putting their lives on the line.
The synagogue is looking for individual or business sponsors to support the community effort. Each box runs about $18 to pack with goods and to ship overseas.
The Congregation is asking for names of other deployed soldiers to support in the effort, please phone (813) 962-6338.
ABOUT KOL AMI
Congregation Kol Ami is an egalitarian Conservative congregation that is highly participatory and energetic. Emphasis is placed on education, fostering Jewish values and ideals, and encouraging our congregants to grow Jewishly. Our mission is to advance and promote the ideals, values, and practices of Conservative Judaism. Congregation Kol Ami is a unique and wonderful synagogue. One reason that we are special is because of dedicated, caring, involved, and skilled volunteers who participate in synagogue life at all levels. As individuals and as a congregation, we are on a ladder, trying to move upward one step at a time.
MEDIA CONTACT
Yoav Rappaport, SAC Chair
Email:
Phone: (813) 962-6338
Website: www.kolami.org
Direct link: https://prnewschannel.com/2011/10/11/congregation-kol-ami-partners-with-att-to-%e2%80%98adopt%e2%80%99-soldiers/
SOURCE: Kol Ami Congregation
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