A fundraiser was held for the Jewish Federations of North America’s Emergency Relief Fund on Sunday at the Diamond City Vault Bar & Grill in Wilkes-Barre. Shown at the event are, from left, Jane Messinger, VP Friedman JCC; Jim Gillespie, CFO Friedman JCC; David Schwager, VP Friedman JCC; Sam Syla, Diamond City Vault Bar & Grill owner; Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown; Nexi Syla; Wilkes-Barre Councilman Tony Brooks; and Jody Nogin, chair Benefit for Israel .
Geri Gibbons | For Times Leader
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WILKES-BARRE — Sam Syla, owner of Cafe Toscana and Diamond City Vault Bar & Grill in downtown Wilkes-Barre, said his heart broke for the Israeli people after the county was attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7.
Syla said he wanted to find a way to help families who had lost or been separated from each other during the war.
So, he put the word out that he wanted to host a fundraiser at the Diamond City Vault Bar & Grill, and enlisted the help of his many friends.
On Sunday, about 70 people gathered at the bar, as an opportunity to raise money for the Jewish Federations of North America’s Emergency Relief Fund and to show support for those Israelis who are suffering.
Bob Borwick, one of the organizers of the event, said it came together in about two weeks.
When people heard about the event, they wanted to help and were more than happy to attend.
Borwick points out that Syla, though not Jewish himself, is an Albanian immigrant and aware of the pain of loss and the devastation of war.
Syla said, “I wish everyday that there was no more war.”
Dr. Richard Blum said he is disappointed in some of the statements recently made by public figures, including University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill who resigned from her post after facing intense criticism for appearing to dodge a question at a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism.
“Some things just shouldn’t be said,” Blum said.
David Schwager, past president of the Jewish Community Center, was delighted to see so many friends enjoying an evening together, for a good cause.
The barbaric attacks of Oct. 7 had a very negative impact on Israel, which is really a small tight-knit country, he said.
“We’re gathering here today to raise funds for humanitarian relief to Israel,” he said.
Schwager is a first generation American whose parents fled Nazi Germany in the late 1930s.
“We’re very sensitive to these things,” he said. “But, I see no indication of any specific threats locally and we have a lot of non-Jewish members here tonight.
“I think it speaks to the nature of our community, which is very supportive and welcoming,” he said.
Greg Fellerman, president of the Jewish Community Alliance of NEPA, said in a release announcing the event, “Since the attack, we have been moved by the support we have received here in our own community. It is heartening to know that there are members of our general community so supportive of Israel.”
Those attending the event also received a blue ribbon to be worn as a show of support for Israel.
The blue ribbon symbolizes support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists and is to be worn by anyone who wants to show support for Israel during a difficult time.