CREVE COEUR, Mo. — The ongoing war in Israel continues to impact communities around the globe and in our area. Both sides of the conflict are calling for the violence to stop.
While they watch from afar, one local synagogue is deciding to give back. Several women at Congregation B'nai Amoona in Creve Coeur organized a donation drive Sunday morning.
Volunteer and long-time member Missy Korenblat-Hanin said behind every 'thank you' given and sticker placed lies one virtue.
"We're doing good in the world. It's all about humanity and how we can be there for Israel, their soldiers, all the displaced individuals," she said.
Many in the St. Louis Jewish community are trying to grip to that compassion, according to Korenblat-Hanin.
"It's out of love and care and concern that we want to be there for our people," she said.
Lynnsie Balk Kantor, volunteer and long-time member, said their hearts are broken watching their homeland remain the center of a deadly war.
"To wake up and hear the news of what was happening was beyond what we could ever have imagined. It's like the earth opening up and swallowing us, because Israel was the place where we could go to be safe and that just took away that safety," she said.
That's why Balk Kantor said her and several other women at Congregation B'nai Amoona are trying to do what they can by setting up a donation drive for Israeli soldiers and displaced Israelis.
"Israel is our homeland. We are Americans through and through, but our roots are there, and so many of us have friends and family there and feel helpless, and so this is just the least we can do," she said.
The drive collected everything from medical supplies and clothing for the soldiers to winter coats and toys for the kids.
"None of us want this war on either side, I'm sure, but we are just trying to do what we can to make it as good as it can be," Balk Kantor said.
Members at the synagogue raised more than $10,000 to get the items their people need most bought, shipped and airlifted to Israel, according to Korenblat-Hanin.
"So they know they're not alone, so we can provide our love, our care, our concern, our comfort and let them know we're standing with them, although not there, our hearts are with them," she said.
With every 'thank you' card written and heart sticker sealed, the community is choosing empathy as they give back.
"We are all hurting for the innocents on both sides," Balk Kantor said.
All while pushing to stay true to that one virtue.
"We're forever there for Israel and the people and the land, and it's important. It's about humanity, whether they live in Israel or any other parts of the world," Korenblat-Hanin said.
If you missed Sunday's donation drive, you can still help by donating here.
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