Mendel Cohen and his non-Jewish friend Bob head out on a morning sailing trip the day before Erev Yom Kippur.


Unfortunately they encounter some bad weather and the boat sinks, shipwrecking them on an abandoned island.

Once they swim to shore, Bob starts running around like a meshuganer. He builds a bonfire, makes a huge SOS sign out of rocks in the sand. He is screaming and shouting, trying to get them saved.

Mendel however is just sitting in the sand enjoying the view.

Eventually Bob runs up to Mendel and says: "Mendel, what is wrong with you. Here I am trying to do everything I can to get us saved. And you are just sitting in the sand doing nothing".

Mendel looks up at Bob and says: "Bob, come sit down for a minute. I come from a city in the United States with a thriving Jewish community. Last year during the high holiday appeal, I donated $1m to my shul. The year before that I donated $1m to my shul as well. Tomorrow is Erev Yom Kippur and the high holiday appeal and I can guarantee you that wherever I am in the world... THEY WILL FIND ME! So sit down and enjoy the view with me."

On a more serious note,
Tzedaka is one of our holiest Mitzvot... Especially during the high holidays.

For me, Island Synagogue is the centre of Jewish life on Mercer Island and the surrounding area.

Our daily Minyans, beautiful Shabbat services and Kiddushim, functions, events and classes, not only make living a Jewish life possible but make our Jewish community thrive. Through its many children's programs and events, Island Synagogue allows us to raise proud, strong and independent Jewish children during a time when it is exceedingly difficult to do so.

I give my sincere thanks and appreciation to our amazing Rabbi and Rebetzen Kornveld, the Island Synagogue board and various committee members as well as all of our selfless volunteers, who through their time and commitment make all of the above possible.

When each of us walk into shul on Ever Yom Kippur, we have that magic number in our head... "the amount of Tzedakah we have chosen to give on this high holiday". 

My appeal to each and every one of you is as follows: Whatever number you had in your head... give a little more. Take your Tzedakah to the next level and allow us to take this incredible synagogue to the next level as well.

To end off I will say:
LET our hostages go.
PROTECT our brave defenders in the IDF
BRING peace and prosperity to the holy land Eretz Yisrael

Gmar Chatima Tova
I wish everyone an easy and meaningful fast
Shanah Tova

Gary Mirkin
President