What do you do when people in the United States are concerned about traveling to Israel and when they do go to Israel, hesitate to shop at the Ben Yehuda Mall? You bring Ben Yehuda to your community!

This idea was launched by a grassroots group, including Mini-School students, in the Denver Jewish community and resulted in bringing merchandise from 15 Israeli artists and craftspeople who sell their goods on Ben Yehuda and making it all available to people in Denver.

Ben Yehuda Mall Day was held on Sunday, February 3, 2002 at the local Jewish Community Center and drew an estimated 4,000 people who flocked to buy Israeli Judaica and artwork, to eat and to express solidarity with their fellow Jews in Israel. In addition, there was a community drive to raise money to purchase an ambulance for Magen David Adom. That effort is still in progress with hopes of reaching the goal at the second Ben Yehuda Mall Day scheduled for April 21, 2002.

Many Denver Mini-Schoolers were actively involved in planning the event, which was promoted in their classrooms. A good number turned out to shop and support Israel.

The cross-section of people from all denominations and segments of the Jewish community attending the Ben Yehuda Mall Day experienced a sense of purpose and the satisfaction that comes from doing something that makes a difference in people's lives. After all, how often do we have chance to make shopping a "mitzvah?"

Ellyn Hutt teaches Rhythms and Ethics at the Denver Mini-School. She recently visited the real Ben Yehuda Mall in Jerusalem during the FMAMS International Faculty Seminar.