The incident spurred Snyder and her husband, Marc, to form Chai Hopes for Peace to raise awareness, as well as money, for the Chabad Terror Victims Project (CTVP).
Allison Snyder’s desire to take action was already bubbling to the surface when she heard about the June 30 murder of 13-year-old Israeli Hallel Yaffa Ariel, who was stabbed to death by a Palestinian teen while she slept in her bed at home.
“[That] was probably the straw that broke the camel’s back. My father is from Israel, and his parents were Holocaust survivors. My grandparents were lucky enough to survive, but their family and friends were not,” Snyder said. “It’s sad that the Jewish people are still fighting to survive. I have always had a strong connection to Israel and the people that live there.”
The incident spurred Snyder and her husband, Marc, to form Chai Hopes for Peace to raise awareness, as well as money, for the Chabad Terror Victims Project (CTVP). The nonprofit organization has emergency response teams that forge an immediate bond with the victims and their families, she said.
“Our plan is to form our own 501(c)(3) and select different charities to support this cause. We are overwhelmed with the support we have received so far and hope to hold an annual event to continue to raise money and awareness,” Snyder said.
Chai Hopes’ first fundraiser is slated for 10 a.m. on Sept. 11 at the Institute of Dance Artistry at 400 Commerce Drive in Fort Washington.
The fundraiser is a bit unusual — a Zumba and yoga event.
“We wanted to do something fun that we thought could be uplifting for the participants and draw a big enough crowd to make it worthwhile,” Snyder said, noting that Zumba instructor Cindy Austin-Russ is donating her time and is bringing along Rabbi Sigal Brier of Kesher Shalom Synagogue for yoga and meditation. “Also, 9/11 is a day of remembrance, and what better day to come together to dance, bring peace to yourself and give back?”
Snyder, who lives in Upper Dublin, is a speech therapist working at Valley Elementary School in the Bensalem School District. She said the initial fundraising goal for Chai Hopes is $5,000; the organization has already raised about $3,500.
Although still in the fledgling stage, Snyder — a nonprofit novice whose sister-in-law has helped with organization basics — said she is pleased with how things are progressing.
“People were so willing to donate their time and support for the cause. It came together so fast, which makes me feel that there was a need,” she said. “People wanted to also do something to support victims of terror and we just gave them a place to do it.”
Contact: agotlieb@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0797
