WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Fundraisers and events in support of Israel have been held in Palm Beach County, including in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens on Sunday, since Israel was attacked by Hamas eight days ago.
Several restaurants are hosting fundraisers for Israel this week. This comes after several pro-Israel rallies were held across Palm Beach County last week.
Way Beyond Bagels, located at 9858 Clint Moore Rd #122 in Boca Raton, makes blue and white bagels to match the Israeli flag. On Facebook, it says all proceeds from those sales will be donated to JDC, a nonprofit organization focused on Jewish aid.
Wellington’s Temple Beth Torah is raising money to support first responders through its nonprofit organization. Sushi by Bow, which has locations in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, announced it will donate 100% of all profits from Sunday and Monday to another nonprofit organization.
The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County has created its own donation page to help victims, rebuild infrastructure and provide trauma care through partners.
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This type of fundraiser comes after several events took place in support of Israel over the past week. The events continued Sunday as hundreds of people rallied in West Palm Beach to support Israel, and dozens of people made cards for Israeli soldiers at the Mendel Jewish Community Center in Palm Beach Gardens.
Carolyn Jasna, who attended the West Palm Beach rally, said she attended three other events last week to support Israel. She said a sense of community helps people process shocking images.
“It’s a relief for people to not have to sit at home and watch hours and hours of horrific footage that is heartbreaking and extremely upsetting,” Jasna said.
Steve and Carol Winig, a couple from Palm Beach County, were traveling to Israel when the attack occurred, so they saw the consequences of the attack firsthand.
“It was very traumatic,” Steve Winig said. “It was actually very difficult to deal with.”
Heidi Hyman, who was attending the event at the Jewish Community Center, said her cousin is still in Israel. She said it’s frustrating that other groups like the LGBTQ and black communities are not overwhelmingly supportive of Israel, even though she has voiced her support.
“Why isn’t anyone speaking up?” Hyman said. “I don’t understand. I’m so confused and anxious.”
The Islamic League of South Florida said it opposes acts of violence and terrorism against civilians on both sides. The newspaper said 2023 was one of the deadliest years for Palestinians killed by Israel before the war began last weekend.
“The lack of progress toward addressing the root causes of the continued occupation and subjugation of the Palestinian people will only lead to suffering and misery,” the Islamic League of South Florida said in a news release last week.