Thanks in part to a $10,000 grant from The Foundation, residents of the embattled city of Sedorot, Israel, forgot their troubles for one afternoon and enjoyed a rare Purim celebration.

Sedorot, which is located just six miles from Gaza, has approximately 20,000 residents who endure daily missile attacks from Palestinian militants. After a short visit to this grief-stricken town, Ari Platt, an 18-year-old Los Angeles native studying in Jerusalem, felt compelled to bring them joy by throwing a Purim carnival.

Platt e-mailed a request for financial support to his rabbi back home-Rabbi Elazar Muskin of Young Israel of Century City-and asked him to spread the word within the community. Rabbi Muskin sent the request to a number of people including Baruch Littman, Vice President of Development for The Foundation. Littman turned the request over to The Foundation's Grants Department for consideration. Ultimately, after reviewing the circumstances, the grant request was approved.

"This grant was 'bashert' as they say - it was a divine connection," said Littman. "I'm proud that The Foundation was able to act so quickly to help bring happiness and relief to a community that suffers every day."

With the donation in hand and just over two weeks to plan, Platt gathered an army of 170 volunteers and organized three separate carnivals hosted at three local high schools. He also bought games for each of the schools and hosted a Purim party at a local center for poor and needy children. As fate would have it, Daniel Rubin, a former participant in The Foundation's Community Youth Foundation - a philanthropy training program for young people - was also in Israel at the time and enthusiastically offered Platt his full support.

"It was amazing to see the students from each of the high schools and 400 Sedorot children laughing, dancing and enjoying the afternoon," said Platt. "It wouldn't have been possible without the support of The Foundation."