Hanukkah drive nets gifts for sick, economy-affected children

BOCA RATON — A charity drive to provide Hanukkah gifts to
hundreds of sick children or those affected by the bad economy
concluded on Thursday night at Boca Raton Synagogue when 25
area children gathered to gift wrap items and write holiday cards to
the recipients.

The charity drive was organized by Atara Goldberg, 12, daughter of
BRS Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and his wife Yocheved, in conjunction
with Atara’s Bat Mitzvah, which is Jan. 7.

On hand to collect and distribute the gifts in time for the holiday were
three charities, Chai Lifeline, www.chailifeline.org/about.php, Tomchei
Shabbos and Chesed of Florida.

The gift wrapping took place in the Social Hall of Boca Raton
Synagogue, 7900 Montoya Circle, Boca Raton.

The gifts were for children of all ages and included toys, clothes,
books, gift cards and electronics. Some of the donations were board
games, cameras and MP3 players.

Many local Jewish day schools promoted Atara’s project and helped
collect the gifts. The Goldbergs called the outpouring “overwhelming”
and are considering turning Atara’s Bat Mitzvah project into an annual
gift drive for Hanukkah.

For more information, contact Yocheved Goldberg at 561.350.5965