Back in October, The Jewish Link reported on the TABC Goods and Services Marketplace, a fundraising initiative spearheaded by Elana Winslow, TABC Parents Association president. With 100% of proceeds going to United Hatzalah of Israel, Magen David Adom and Friends of the IDF, members of the community came out in droves, donating all kinds of goods and services, from tutoring and yoga sessions, to gift cards and tickets to New Jersey Devils Games, to name but a few.
“We rolled out the goods and services sale and we received a lot of amazing feedback,” Winslow exclaimed. “It has been incredibly exciting and we have been getting tons of additional donations from the community, including more gift cards, artwork and a multitude of different experiences.
The TABC Goods and Services Marketplace even received some big ticket items that will be raffled off, including a $250 gift card to The Velvet Box for just $10 per ticket. Etc. Steakhouse and Filler Up Wine teamed up to offer a fabulous five-course tasting dining experience and ticket is just $15 per raffle entry. For just $25 per raffle ticket, one lucky person stands to win an Orlando Resort timeshare.
If you’re a hockey fan, a $300 donation buys a couple of Devils vs. Avalanche tickets on Feb. 6. Want something fun you can do with the whole family? A $250 donation will get you a New York City television and movies set tour from On Locations Tours. For a $360 donation, get a gift card toward an original painting courtesy of Jennie Mohl Art.
For a $750 donation, Yudin’s Appliances will outfit the donor’s kitchen with a new Bosch dishwasher valued at $1,099. For a hilarious night with up to eight friends, Educator of the Year recipient Rebecca Lopkin will teach a 60-minute improv class for just $350, with proceeds going to the worthy cause.
Some of the other terrific items that can be purchased for a donation include gift cards to favorite eateries like Burger Boss, EJ’s, Zevy’s Pizza, Smoked Bites, and Lazy Bean. One dozen cake pops, courtesy of Michelle Frohlich’s Cake A Bite, is up for grabs for only a $45 donation, while Matisse Chocolatier has donated a scrumptious gourmet chocolate platter for a $75 donation. In the mood for some fresh baked cookies? Why not splurge for a good cause and pick up an $18 gift card donated by Crush Cookie Bar. Then work it off with a 45-minute personal training session with Tiffany Diamond.
Teaneck Swim Academy and Joan Zlotnick are offering three one-hour sessions to help high schoolers write personal essays. For $100, Rabbi Jake Berman will happily be the donor’s chevruta for 45 minutes. World of Goodies, Zadies Modern Tribe and Bamboo Moves Yoga Studio also got in on the action. But there is so much more, the community just has to see for yourselves. The best part is that every single cent goes to support Israel.
Winslow said all this would not be possible without Sara Grinfeld from TABC and Hayley Morgenstern of Westchester, New York who have been a tremendous help. When Morgenstern first heard about the initiative, she immediately reached out to Winslow offering to help and Winslow said she has played a crucial role and been instrumental at recruiting donations.
TABC Director of Institutional Advancement Sharon Rifkind shared, “We are touched by the outpouring of generosity for this initiative. From donations of delicious baked goods, to personal services, restaurant gift cards, store gift cards, entertainment packages and more — the breadth of what we are able to offer, with all proceeds going to tzedakah — is unbelievable. Thousands of dollars worth of things have been donated and we are thrilled that we have the potential to raise so much for FIDF, MDA and United Hatzalah. It’s really a win-win for everyone!”
Winslow added, “Even though this is being run and administered by the Torah Academy Parent Association and Torah Academy of Bergen County, this really is a community-wide fundraiser with people participating either by donating goods and services or donating money for goods and services from the community and throughout the entire New York/New Jersey region. Even if you have already checked out the marketplace, it’s worth your while to check back because new items are being added daily — actually, hourly!”
To see what’s available for purchase visit tinyurl.com/tapaisrael.
