2 years ago

Soccer Star Teams Up With Chabad for Toy Drive

Israeli national sports superstar Tomer Hemed and Sydney’s Shul launched a huge giving project aimed at giving out thousands of toys to children in hospitals across Sydney, Australia for the upcoming holiday of Chanukah. Sydney’s Shul, headed by Rabbi Chaim Levy, saw the need to make a difference and is taking the opportunity to show the love and care of the Jewish and wider community • Full Story

The recent lockdown has taken an extra toll on children in hospital and their families. With very limited or no visitation, canceled special programs and increased health risks has placed additional challenges for the caregivers and families to navigate. Alongside battling an illness, families have also been separated for long periods of time, unable to visit their loved ones and many spending the long months alone. This has been an immensely challenging time for so many.

Sydney’s Shul, headed by Rabbi Chaim Levy, saw the need to make a difference and is taking the opportunity to show the love and care of the Jewish and wider community. The idea is to spread light and joy during a dark and challenging time by launching a giving project that will fundraise for thousands of gifts for the children in hospital. Seeking someone with a big heart and many admirers Rabbi Levy reached out to a close friend and sports superstar Tomer Hemed to partner in this project and bring it to the next level.

Hemed an Israeli professional footballer who recently moved to Sydney with his wife Shunit and 3 daughters immediately agreed to partner in the project and is excited to make a difference in the lives of so many. Being a young parent himself, he knows how much this will mean to the families and the children. Hemed is reaching out to his fans, friends and followers to join him in this project which is close to his heart.

Tomer will personally be delivering the gifts and meeting the children in hospital and giving them a message of hope and strength, that they are not alone, we stand with them and are winning this together

Also it won’t be only Xmas that is celebrated, now Chanukah will also have a special place and be a day of celebration for all children in hospital. The messages of Chanukah, including the battle of light over darkness and few against many, are messages that everyone can draw strength from, no matter who.

Sydney’s Shul will be hosting a Chanukah event with Tomer Hemed, where participants will package the gifts, make cards, participate in a menorah lighting, as well as the opportunity to deliver the gifts to the hospitals.

Everyone can get involved by sponsoring gifts. Thanks to our generous sponsors for every gift donated you will be entered into a raffle for an iPhone 13.

Click here to get involved.