6,000 say “Yes We Can”
Jewish House teamed up with Coles over the Jewish holidays, donating over 6,000 cans and non- perishable foods to those in need as part of the Yes We Can initiative.
Afroz Ali, Rabbi Mendel Kastel and Coles' Fernando
Founded by Rabbi Mendel Kastel from Jewish House, ‘Yes We Can’ asked Coles shoppers to purchase an extra can or two or non-perishable item and donate it to assist those doing it tough.
After much success at Passover, where approximately 3,000 cans were collected across 3 Coles supermarkets, Coles extended the program placing marked boxes at the checkouts of 28 Coles stores between 5 – 26 September. Jewish House volunteers helped to notify customers and encourage donation.
Mark Hawley, NSW Regional Manager for Coles said that he was delighted to be able to support a great cause at a significant time for the Jewish community.
“We are thrilled that we could contribute to this great initiative from Jewish House and help facilitate the collection of non- perishable food for those in need,” Mark said.
“We are pleased to continue to work with Jewish House and support the great work they do,” Mark continued.
Project Manager for Jewish House, Rabbi Avremi Joseph said that the Yes We Can initiative aims to change the world one can at a time.
“At Jewish House our motto is people helping people. People can make a difference just by purchasing an extra can and we appreciate all the donations we have received over the last month,” Rabbi Avremi Joseph said.
“We also thank Coles for their incredible support in providing a place for us to collect the extra cans – we could not have done it without them,” Rabbi Avremi Joseph continued.
Jewish House CEO Rabbi Mendel Kastel also expressed his gratitude for the donations. “Its very encouraging to see so many people generously donating to help those less fortunate. Working with other charities has been very rewarding and shows how with the right intentions all can and should work together for the greater good.”
The Jewish House is a safe haven open to any member of the public in need. They assist in a wide range of circumstances, ranging from someone requiring a counselling session to someone requiring a bed and a roof over their head. The Jewish House is a leader in crisis management and its caring approach has ensured a very high success rate in assisting people to rebuild their lives
I am now 83 years of age, a Holocaust Survivor of Birkenaw /Auschwitz, The Death march to Buchewald
then the march to Weimart, from there 4 weeks in goods Railway carrieges, (Open wagons) Germany was shrinking, (this is March, April and May till armistice day, the 8th of May 1945.
Only about one third of us arrived To Thresinstadt, Red Cross was there and later the Russian Army Liberated us, Food started to be distrbuted slowly, donated by the Amerivacan Joint Organisation,
Those few, who were still strong enough to go out and fetch for themselves food, most of them died of over-eating. We who were so weak, were spoon fed slowly to health, It was October when I was strong enough to start the trip going home to Kosice, I spent further 3 years in Hospitals, as I developed Typhus, later TB of the left lung and bones around the Hips., I was going to die, but then Streptomicyn was discovered in the USA, I was the 1 st one to receive it I am now 83 years of age, Ikeep telling my story at the Jewish Holocaust Museum, So people must be positive about their health, Do not give up.