Dear Friends,

It is my great pleasure to introduce you to my new charity, Shield of David, which will benefit the two organizations that have had the greatest impact on my life: Chabad of Flatbush and Starrett City Boxing Club. As most of you know, I have been following my dream to fight for a world title ever since I was 13 years old.  Every day brings me closer to this dream and I credit these two incredible organizations with helping me reach this goal.  Although a synagogue and boxing gym appear polar opposites, they serve a very similar purpose--helping individuals , yet in their own distinct, effective and powerful ways.

I first walked through the doors of the Chabad of Flatbush when I was 14 years old.  I was immediately struck by the loving and respectful atmosphere and attention given to me by my Rabbi and friend Zalman Liberow and the entire congregation.  Chabad of Flatbush made it very comfortable for someone who had little Jewish background to feel welcome and accepted in the Jewish community.  The organization has helped hundreds of Jews--especially Russian immigrants like me--learn about our great tradition and connect to Judaism and the Jewish community in meaningful ways.  And Rabbi Liberow's ever-growing programs and initiatives such as "Friday Night Dinner" and the "Mitzvah Tank Campaign" are aimed at continuing and expanding this important work.

Starrett City Boxing Club has been operating for over 30 year and is one of the best and most popular boxing clubs in the New York area.  Although it has produced many World Champions, top contenders and Golden Glovers, Jimmy O' Pharrow, the gym's founder and my mentor, will tell you that the gym's greatest achievement is keeping at-risk kids, teenagers and young adults off the streets.  Boxing teaches great values such as discipline and the benefit of hard work and determination, and in the 30 years that Jimmy has been running the club, it has put literally thousands of kids on the right track and allowed them to live productive and successful lives.

Like many others, I have greatly benefited from the work of these two organizations, but they rely on voluntary contributions and need our help to continue to serve their communities and to make the world a better place.  With the creation of this charity, I pledge to donate a portion of my purse to Shield of David, and I urge you to join me by making your own tax-deductible contribution as well.

 

Thank you,

Dmitriy Salita