In the summer of 2014, Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaer and Naftali Fraenkel were kidnapped by terrorists on their way home from yeshiva. Jews all over the world immediately came together to support their families by praying, searching and reaching out. Seventeen days later, the three boys were found and laid to rest side by side.

A year has gone by since that difficult summer and the families of the boys are asking Jews around the world to unite again in the memory of their sons. Wednesday, June 3, has been designated “Unity Day,” a day where Jews will come together at various programs and gatherings to honor the memory of the teenage boys and to be reminded that regardless of our challenges, there will always be more that unites us than divides us.

As the boys’ first yahrzeit is approaching, Areyvut, a non-profit organization that connects Jewish youth and teens to the core Jewish values of chesed (kindness), tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (social action) is organizing a Unity Day Chesed Fair to ensure that the sense of Jewish unity remains alive through the Jewish value of chesed.

At this event, participants will be able to meet with representatives of various Israeli nonprofit agencies to explore ways through which they can join together, get involved and support Israel through acts of chesed. By learning about and actively participating in chesed opportunities, participants of the Unity Day Chesed Fair will be able to memorialize Eyal, Gilad and Naftali by helping to make this world a better place.

Agencies attending this Unity Day Chesed Fair include Aleh Israel Foundation, American Friends of Migdal Ohr, Bat Melech, Boys Town Jerusalem, Leket, Lema’an Achai, NORPAC, One Family Fund and Yad Leah.

The Unity Day Chesed Fair will take place on Wednesday, June 3, at The Frisch School. To find out more about this event, email [email protected], call 201-244-6702 or visit www.areyvut.org.