Oh what a night!! Jam 4 Israel 2010

Photos by: Giordano Ciampini

On Thursday, June 10th, 2010, the Hoops 4 Israel charity hosted its first official after-party to celebrate another year of fundraising success that will wholly benefit the vulnerable Ethiopian-Israeli community in Bat Yam. Jam 4 Israel, H4I's sister-project, added another $29,000 of fundraising revenue and packed the London Tap House with over 575 attendees supporting Israel in a great time of need. Just one week prior to the party, the international media condemned Israel for the controversial decision to board flotilla filled with "humanitarian aid" intended for citizens of Gaza.

Although Israel's acts were also seen as justified to guarantee the safety of its own population and to ensure that weapons were not secretly hidden aboard the flotilla, the majority of international coverage of this happening did not agree. Widespread demonstrations demonizing Israel took place in nations around the world.

Jam 4 Israel was a timely event that demonstrated young Jews in the Diaspora coming together to celebrate Israel's right to exist and defend itself in the wake of virulent condemnation. It is for this reason that Jam 4 Israel stood for much more than just a celebration, but rather, a solidarity rally!

Event Chairs & Organizers (Top: Josh Howard, Elissa Grossman {Founder of J4I} & Dave Goodman)

Bottom: Rob Altbaum (Social Chair of Jam 4 Israel 2010)

Event Sponsors: George & Kitty Grossman and Jamie & Rami Benayon

The event showcased some home-grown talent with Keys N Krates, DJ Applescratch and DJ J.T. mixing a plethora of urban and top 40 beats and keeping the crowd bumping until after last call. Thank you to one of our event sponsors - Sole Power Productions and Magen Boys Entertainment for pulling the show together for us on such tight timelines!

Keys N Krates tearing it up (above)

DJ J.T. (below) opened the night on the tables, with DJ Applescratch - both donating their skills to the night's events for free - what mensches!

Mini Bball Shootout was donated in kind by Hart Entertainment for J4I attendees use on the rooftop patio

King David's Pizza was also donated in kind to bring in some extra fundraising revenue

for our friends in Bat Yam!

J4I Committee Member Lauren Ashley and friend Brad Silverberg

J4I meets H4I:

Elissa says: 'Who knows what can happen?'

Dave says: 'Happiness!'

A great big thank you to our event sponsors, attendees, committee members and event chairs for making the inaugural Jam4Israel a smash hit! Looking forward to upping the enterprise in 2011!!

Hoops 4 Israel's 'sister-project' > JAM 4 ISRAEL!!

Hoops 4 Israel - the charity basketball initiative launched by Birthright Israel Alumni Community in 2007 has been looking long and hard for an after-party to celebrate their annual success that enhances the lives of hundreds of Ethiopian-Israeli at-risk youth. Finally, we have found our esteemed volunteer in Elissa Grossman, an ambitious young woman with an incredible gift of connecting with others coupled with a heart of gold.

The idea of a charitable 'Jam' was conceived by Elissa, a York Student with desire to give back to the Jewish community and inspired by her late grandfather, Alexander Grossman z"l.

“To appreciate your community, you must give back to it.”
-Alexander Grossman z"l

Elissa's grandfather was a large member of UJA and a genuine pillar of support for the Jewish community. "He did more than talk the talk but he supported his words with tremendous vision and generosity. When he passed away, I was left with his foremost lesson to never let the spirit of giving die." says Elissa.

The Hoops 4 Israel team is thrilled to bring Elissa on in 2010 to help spearhead the charitable after-party fundraiser of H4I, where all proceeds go towards supporting the vulnerable community of Ethiopian Israeli immigrants living in Bat Yam.

On June 17th, 2010 at the Empire Lounge, the inaugural Jam 4 Israel event will take place with a $15 entrance fee before 11:45pm and $20 afterwards. For more information or to help enhance this event, please contact elissa@jam4israel.com.