Phil
Jacobs, Editor
Baltimore Jewish Times
DECEMBER 24, 2004
Avi Goldberg and Avi Staiman, both Yeshivat Rambam seniors, want everyone to eat well and to eat kosher on March 21.
The more in Baltimore and around the nation who dine at a kosher restaurant
that Monday, the better it will help victims of terrorism in Israel.
The project that they have organized along with Yeshivat Rambam students Mollie Scharfman, Shoshana Pachino, Adina Rosenblatt and Michael Young is called America Eats for Israel.
The goal is for yeshivot and day schools across the country to recruit kosher restaurants in their area and have them donate 10 percent of their gross revenues for one day. This project started last year as Baltimore Eats for Israel and raised some $1,500. This year, the coordinating team of Avi Goldberg and Avi Staiman hopes the number they send to the Israel Terror Victims Association numbers in the tens of thousands.
So far, the project has some 33 restaurants signed on from 10 states including Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Arizona and Virginia.
Locally, restaurants include Tov Pizza, the Knish Shop, Mama Leah's, the Bistro, Kosher Bite and Caramel's. Silver Spring-area restaurants include Max's, Ben Yehuda Pizza and Sienna's. The project, which is being dedicated to the memory of Avi Goldberg's grandmother, Esther Berger, even has its own Web site, www.americaeatsforisrael.org.
The success of last year's initial effort and the national organization created by the committee has Rambam's Head of School Dr. Rita Shloush kvelling.
"They came to me over a year ago with the idea for Baltimore Eats for Israel," said Dr. Shloush. "What was unique was that they had their own business plan. It was sophisticated and it was mature. It was their intention to write up professional contracts, deal with students and advertising, and they did.
"You are talking about very nice, good kids," she continued. "And they are very focused. They felt they could do something good. They really measure up to who we are as a people in terms of being there for our brothers. Adults can learn from them."
Avi Staiman, who is the project's director of public relations and advertising, said that last year during the class' then-11th-grade trip to Israel, they realized that they needed to come up with a way to help victims of terrorism.
"We approached people with the idea," said Avi Goldberg. "We came up with a business plan to take this to the rest of the country."
In one of the school's hallways is a map of the United States with pushpins indicating the cities participating.
"The most unique aspect of America Eats for Israel is that we are not just a small group of people reaching out and showing awareness, but an entire country reaching out their hands and hearts to Israel," said Adina Rosenblatt, one of the project's three regional directors
"America Eats for Israel is the biggest project I have ever been a part of," added regional director Shoshana Pachino. "It is teaching me how many people really care and are trying to make a difference."
Avi Goldberg and Avi Staiman both are articulate and energetic of their vision. What strikes an outsider, though, is how they combine their passion for the victims of terror with basic business principles. In short, they are focused.
"I've learned how to deal with adults as well as other students," said Avi Goldberg.
"When you have a goal that involves helping others, people will want to get on the bandwagon to help you out. They see we're dedicated."
Or as Dr. Shloush said, "They are trailblazers. This shouts out leadership."
Editorial intern Mollie Scharfman contributed to this article.