Teens Cook Up Support For Israeli Fire Victims

by Alexandra Ushakova

Local Jewish teens gave victims of a major Israeli fire some small-but-sweet relief, collecting $450 through a bake sale fundraiser on Sunday.

Shocked by news reports earlier this month of a fast-spreading wildfire that claimed dozens of lives and displaced many more around Carmel, Israel, 17-year-old Elizabeth Zavoyskiy organized “Desserts Galore” to help provide aid to those affected. With help from the Kings Bay YM-YWHA’s (3495 Nostrand Avenue) Teen Department, the Midwood High School senior cobbled together 19 teenagers between the ages of 15 to 17 in the lobby of Kings Bay Y.

“The bake allowed me to give back to a cause I really care about,” said Zavoyskiy. “It let me help others while taking the lead in my community.”

The teens baked most of the pastries themselves after collaborating with local businesses such as Pomegranate Kosher Supermarket and Glatt Mart, who sponsored the ingredients for this project. Additionally, they raised awareness of the fire by putting up educational stands which informed the visitors of the devastating event and what the proceeds would do to help.

The buyers of these scrumptious sweets consisted mainly of parents who bring their children to Sunday programs at the Y.

“At the Kings Bay Y, we know that helping those in need is our responsibility,” said Shawn Master, 15. “The event was a great success and the personal experience of knowing that you are helping someone is even a greater success.”