This summer, we hosted our inaugural Poker event at the beautiful home of Danny and Daniella Seligsohn in Englewood, NJ. This event, a blend of high-stakes poker and heartfelt philanthropy, was conceived in partnership with Danny, a seasoned poker player, who was eager to merge his passion for the game with his support for Migdal Ohr.
A Major Success!
The event surpassed our expectations, raising over $60K from ticket buy-ins and numerous rebuys and addons throughout the evening. We were fortunate to collaborate with Eli Lunzer, whose production company handled the event setup. Eli, a former member of YP, has recently reconnected with us following our 50th-anniversary event. His contributions and promotional efforts within his network were invaluable!
We showed a moving video about our Magen Israel efforts in Israel and handed out the Rabbi's books to those interested, and a particularly poignant moment came when two members of the poker staff asked to make small donations after being inspired by the event.
An Active Committee
A major part of our success was dedicated committee. The committee's engagement, showed the importance of harnessing the passions and networks of a younger generation to expand our support for Migdal Ohr.
Expanding Our Donor Circle
One of the most encouraging outcomes was that over half of the attendees were new donors. This diverse group included individuals from new communities, including a significant number of non-Jewish attendees, broadening our donor base and bringing fresh energy and financial support to our organization.
Many of these new donors, initially drawn by their love of poker, left with a deeper understanding of and connection to our cause. The networking opportunities were also plentiful, particularly among attendees from similar business backgrounds in the real estate sector.
Generational Involvement
While Jerry and Sandy Seligsohn have been long-time supporters of Migdal Ohr, it was heartening to see their family's next generation, stepping up and getting involved. Jerry shared our excitement and pride in seeing his family continue this legacy of support.
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible! Your contributions and enthusiasm have set a high bar for future events, and we look forward to many more successful gatherings in the years to come.
