Israel Solidarity Fund of America
Established in Willowbrook, Staten Island, N.Y. in 2002 after a rash of terror bombings in Israel, the Israel Solidarity Fund of America (ISFA) is a private tzedaka organization run by Yudi (Jay) Zuller. ISFA is unique in that close to every dollar raised through its efforts gets distributed directly to Israeli victims of Arab terror and/or their families. Almost all overhead expenses are all covered Mr. Zuller and other sponsors. Mr. Zuller travels to Israel about few months, for 3-4 days with the sole purpose of meeting with terror victims and their families and distributing monies to them. Even the costs of his trips are not covered by the fund, but are paid for out of his own pocket. He meets directly with families that have been victimized by Arab terror in their own homes or hospital rooms. These families, which have to first endure the shock and pain of the immediate loss often later find themselves in dire financial situations due to the loss of income and additional medical expenses. They need continuing financial support to help them with their long-term recoveries. Mr. Zuller feels he must meet all of the families of those injured or killed himself to help ensure that all the monies go to their intended source. Mr. Zuller values these inspirational visits where both the recipient families in Israel and the donor families in Staten Island form lasting bonds through ISFA.
The main source of revenues for ISFA has been the Shirei Shalom Concert Series. Staged at the Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Staten Island for the last four years and in 2007 at the Colden Center at Queens College, these sold-out concerts that feature Jewish music’s most popular performers have raised close to one million dollars for victims of terror in Israel. That is the equivalent of close to 2000 families who have received funds from Mr. Zuller and the ISFA.
During the Summer of 2006, when the citizens of northern Israeli cities suffered under a constant barrage of terror attacks by rocket, Mr. Zuller felt it urgent to raise funds specifically for these new victims of terror. During the Nine Days, the Zullers hosted an emergency Siyum/BBQ in their backyard in Staten Island. Over 600 members of the Jewish community of Willowbrook who over the years have always been overwhelmingly supportive of his efforts, turned out to generously support their brothers and sisters in Israel and $120,000 was raised for the victims of Hezbollah rockets in one evening. This tradition continued this summer, when the Zullers hosted a second very successful emergency BBQ fundraiser in their backyard two days before Tisha B’Av. The funds raised went to provide much needed relief for the beleaguered citizens of Sderot, who live under the constant threat of Kassam rockets launched from Gaza.
Mr. Yudi (Jay) Zuller, 36 years old, is the owner of two small printing businesses in Brooklyn, NY and the proud father of four children, Navah, age 12, who has accompanied her father on many of his tzedaka missions to Israel, Binyamin, age 8, Kayla, age 6 and Gilad, 15 months (Gilad is named in tribute to missing Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit). Together with his wife Aviva, he has made the welfare of his brothers and sisters in Israel victimized by Arab terror his life’s work and primary mission. Although the Zullers still reside in the United States, in the Willowbrook Section of Staten Island, N.Y., their hearts remain in Israel.
Israel Solidarity Fund of America
11/15 Boone Street
Staten Island, NY 10314
718.316.8676 |
