On Sunday, June 7, the Toronto Jewish community came together for the annual Walk with Israel. With sunny skies and warm temperatures, it was the perfect day for a walk - and, as it turned out, the perfect day for a lemonade stand.

What began as a simple idea between two young sisters quickly blossomed into a meaningful fundraiser in support of Israel.

Their mother shared that the younger sister’s original business plan was quite creative. “She wanted to sell rocks, sticks, and grass,” she laughed. “Then she suddenly realized, ‘But wait, it’s hot outside, we need to sell water too!’” Before long, the idea had evolved into a full-fledged lemonade stand, complete with fresh lemonade, cookies, and even a real cash register.

The sisters took their roles seriously, pouring drinks, serving customers, handling payments, and offering cookies with pride. They also encouraged visitors to contribute to their beautifully decorated Friends of JNF Canada tzedakah box, which they proudly displayed at their stand. With only a little help from their parents, they ran the stand themselves, greeting supporters with enthusiasm and determination.

After participating in the community Walk with Israel earlier that day, the girls were excited to continue showing their support in their own special way. Their hard work paid off. After three busy hours, they closed shop and counted more than $400 in proceeds, all of which will be directed to a project in Israel that they personally selected through Friends of JNF Canada.

We are incredibly grateful to these young fundraisers for their generosity, initiative, and community spirit. Their story is a heartwarming reminder that supporting Israel can begin at any age, and we are delighted to see this beautiful tradition of giving being passed from one generation to the next.

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