East Brunswick—Less than a year ago, on September 15, 2012, several citizens of East Brunswick were victims of a tragic accident outside the Young Israel there.  Among the fatalities were Ari and Sari Horowitz, long-time residents and members of the Young Israel.

The Horowitz’s were ardent supporters of Israel.  Ari joined the Israel Defense Forces following high school and served in the First Lebanon War, and Sari was working in the office of the Jewish Agency in New York when they met and married.  Together they made aliyah, but returned to the United States due to unanticipated family circumstances.  However, their love of Israel and desire to live there permanently never waned.  Ari and Sari are survived by their daughter, Natanya, who lives with her husband and children in Israel.

An extensive group of friends and colleagues sought to develop a fitting memoriam for  the couple.  These individuals have worked tirelessly to honor their memory, by establishing a fund in partnership with the Israel-based non-profit Yashar LaChayal, an organization that provides combat soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces with goods and services they lack.  Yashar LaChayal is based in Maale Adumim, the town just east of Jerusalem where Ari and Sari had a second home—a home they had hoped to use more permanently in the future.  Despite the fact that they were not yet permanent residents, they had developed strong ties within the community and were ardent supporters of Yashar LaChayal and the soldiers of the IDF.  It is therefore most appropriate that their friends turned to Yashar LaChayal when they were seeking  to partner with a suitable organization.

The Ari and Sari Horowitz Memorial Fund will support several Yashar LaChayal projects, including the Holiday Food Baskets for Families of Needy Soldiers and the Needy Soldier Supply Closets. It is anticipated that over 1200 families of needy combat soldiers will benefit this year as a result of this memorial to Ari and Sari Horowitz.

Contributions to the Ari and Sari Horowitz Memorial Fund can be made via the Yashar LaChayal website, www.yasharlachayal.org, or via mail to Friends of Yashar LaChayal, 49 Meadow Lane, Lawrence, NY 11559.

Yashar LaChayal volunteers and friends of Ari and Sari Horowitz will assemble the food packages in Israel during the week of August 25.  Those wishing to participate in the project should email lisa_yasharlachayal.org.

For additional information about the Ari and Sari Horowitz Memorial Fund or Yashar LaChayal, visit the Yashar LaChayal website, www.yasharlachayal.org or email info_yasharlachayal.org.