In an of solidarity with the Suffolk County Jewish community – who are grieving the loss of over 1,300 of their brethren in a deadly terrorist attack – local business leaders have pledged tens of thousands to support Israel’s first responders. Richard Cohen of Ashlind Properties spearheaded this fundraising campaign, and has raised over $180,000 in conjunction with the Chabad of Mid-Suffolk and the Hauppauge Jewish Business Network.
“Jewish and non-Jewish business people alike are supporting the campaign,” shared Cohen. “People are standing in solidarity with Israel, and they know their donations are going to save lives,” he said. So far, Cohen's campaign has received $90,000 in direct donations, which will be matched by former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose foundation is matching all donations to the Israeli Red Cross, also known as MaDA. Cohen hopes their efforts can supply the Israeli Red Cross with new equipment such as ambulances fit with traveling ICU’s or ambulatory motorcycles.
Cohen, who bought and sold buildings in Hauppauge’s Industrial Park for over 30 years and is now retired, jumped to action when images of the horrific mass-slaughter streamed across his TV screen. “The sheer brutality of the Hamas attack horrified me. I knew I couldn’t sit by idly and do nothing,” Cohen shared. “Although I’m 5,000 miles away, my heart is with Israel and the Jewish people.”
Cohen began by reaching out to all his former business associates as well the Suffolk County Jewish Business Network, a group whose mission is to teach Jewish business ethics and values to business people in Suffolk County. Rabbi Mendel Teldon, who directs the network and the Chabad of Mid-Suffolk, shared that “Our goal of $180,000 will not only save many lives, it is also symbolic, as the number 18 and multiples of it represent Chai, meaning “life” in Hebrew.”
Cohen and the Jewish Business Network held a ceremony this Monday to honor and support the Israel Red Cross, and present them with the funds. Cohen Shared “I want to build on this momentum, to raise more money to save as many lives as possible.”
About the Jewish Business Network
Founded in 2023, the Jewish the Jewish Business Network, serves Hauppauge Industrial Park, is dedicated to connecting Long Island’s Jewish business people, executives, leaders and entrepreneurs to each other and to their heritage. This community of like minded business leaders exchanges best practices, big ideas, bold visions, leadership skills, and solutions to pressing business and life challenges, all enhanced by ancient Jewish wisdom. For more information, please visit https://jbn.life.
About the Chabad of Mid-Suffolk
Chabad is a community where Jews of all backgrounds are engaged to enhance their Judaism in a modern, joyful and relevant fashion. www.ChabadMidSuffolk.com.