(Courtesy of Migdal Ohr) People have gone from asking, “What’s the BASHMO?” to “When’s the BASHMO?” in just a few short years. Started during COVID as a backyard “bash” and alternative to a formal gala, the BASHMO has taken the tri-state area by storm. American Friends of Migdal Ohrs’ premier event for orphaned and underprivileged children in Israel has now sold out for the fourth year in a row.
The Fourth Annual BASHMO Teaneck was the organization’s largest yet, with 300 people joining to savor the final moments of summer and build a future for Israel’s underprivileged children. This year’s event raised $100,000 for vulnerable children and orphans from October 7 in Israel. These funds are absolutely vital to providing vulnerable children with everything from their most basic needs such as food, clothing and a place to live, while ensuring that they have the education, extracurriculars and recreational outlets they need to feel a sense of love and belonging. Like the tens of thousands of Migdal Ohr alumni who have come before them, these children can learn resilience and become the active citizens and leaders of Israel.
Attendees came from across the area including neighborhoods like New Milford, Teaneck, Englewood, Bergenfield, Monsey, Riverdale and New York City to show their love and support for Israel’s children, against the backdrop of fantastic food sponsored by Hummus Elite, plentiful wines and spirits from Royal Wines, and live music.
Many people were inspired to sponsor specific items such as tefillin, baby formula, winter clothing, medical needs and anything that the children would need to thrive in the coming year. In Israel, funds go directly to paying for these necessities and the children feel the outpouring of love from Am Yisrael.
With the funds from the last three years, the BASHMO community has funded:
- 45 new cribs and formula for orphaned and at-risk infants and toddlers
- 34 bat mitzvah celebrations for orphaned girls
- 114 pairs of Tefillin to bar mitzvah boys in need
- 12 weddings for orphaned and underprivileged couples
- 200 children with medical and dental care for a year
- 320 children with brand-new clothing for the start of the year
Executive Director Atara Solow quoted Jon Polin sharing how he and his wife, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, had turned over every stone to bring their son Hersh home from Gaza. Maybe Hersh’s death was the only stone left unturned to change the reality. “This night we are the stone of resilience,” Solow said. “Each of you here tonight is turning over a stone for the orphans and children in need. You can change their reality and give them a stronger, more promising future. You can impact Israel.”
Tens of thousands of Migdal Ohr alumni are now leading Israel through these dark times and sharing their resilience with the rest of us. They are the role models and leaders who know how to rise above their circumstances and turn their trauma into triumph.
Migdal Ohr is so appreciative of the event’s gracious hosts Arianne and Moshe Weinberger for extending their warm hospitality, and to the visionary event committee for building the BASHMO into such a powerful night of unity and giving: Jamie and Shmully Ash, Shani and Daniel Finn, Dahlia Goldbrenner, Jenna and Sam Goldstein, Ronit and Shlomo Hagler, Daniella and Dovid Katz, Batya and Nachman Paul, Elissa and Steven Seltzer, Tal Singer and Debra Paul Singer, Erica and Tzvi Solomon, and Aliza and Shloimie Zeffren.
Migdal Ohr thanks its generous sponsors: Hummus Elite, Royal Wines, Herzog Wine Cellars, Wedaways Getaways, Ramigem, PKA Tech IT Solutions and Camp Regesh.
Inspired? Bring the BASHMO to your community! Join the movement to make Israel’s most vulnerable children a part of our lives and to give them all of the advantages and opportunities that we try to give our own children.
To inquire about hosting a BASHMO event in your community, please reach out to Atara Solow at at 646.318.4918 or email [email protected].
