In Jaffa, toy distribution project brings Jews & Arabs together

• Date: 08 June 2021
• Author: Arutz Sheva Staff
• Published date: 08 June 2021
• Publication title: Israel National News (Israel)

The children, whose neighborhoods were recently the scene of inter-communal tension and violence, each received a toy from Spin Master's Paw Patrol range, one of the world's most popular toy brands.

Odette Levy, the mother of one Spin Master's founders, was on hand alongside Efrat Duvdevani, Director General of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, to hand out the toys at Gan Konchia and Gan Galil, both on Aristo St., and Gan Tachelet and Gan Yam on Irit St. Levy, who spent part of her childhood in Jaffa, later helped to establish Spin Master in Canada and today spends much of her time back in Jaffa.

In the belief that all children deserve the right to play and to enjoy the feeling of fun, regardless of their background or religion, The Toy Movement resolved to do something positive and constructive for the children of Jaffa and their parents, who in recent weeks have seen their neighborhoods at the center of acute tension and violence between Arab and Jewish residents.

The Toy Movement decided to donate the toys and to partner with the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in distributing them. The Toy Movement intends to expand this collaboration, turning the toy distribution into an annual event. The Peres Center is based in Jaffa and has been working on fostering positive relations between diverse communities in Israel and beyond for more than two decades.

Odette Levy, who was part of Spin Master for many years said: "Jaffa is a unique and wonderful place, close to my heart. It was heartbreaking to see the fabric of this community under threat. Ultimately, Jewish children, Arab children and children of every nationality want the same things – to play with each other, to have fun together and to smile. I hope that this small contribution will enable the children...