In New York City, thousands of families struggle to afford school supplies each year.

The Educational Alliance, based on the Lower East Side, is one of several organizations that helps collect these supplies and distribute them to families in need. In September, the Educational Alliance called on Central Synagogue for help and our congregants responded with overwhelming generosity. More than 50% of the supplies collected by the Educational Alliance came from the Central Synagogue community.

The school supply drive, which ran from September 3-27 in Lese Lobby, also included an Amazon wish list (still active), so that congregants could also purchase the needed items online to be shipped directly to the Educational Alliance’s offices.

In a grateful message to Central Synagogue, Amy Stollmack, Director of Volunteer Services at the Educational Alliance, wrote, “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

Central Synagogue’s partnership with the Educational Alliance developed through recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy and has continued to flourish. To get involved with volunteerism through Central Synagogue, contact Director of Member Services Caren Keller.