War in Gaza over; soldiers still need help

Posted

Here are five different ways you can support the IDF from your home base.

By Judah S. Harris

Issue of Jan. 23, 2009 / 27 Tevet 5769

Write to the soldiers

The outreach organization Panim El Panim (Face to Face), founded by reserve IDF Colonel Geva Rapp, is soliciting letters from anyone who would like to write to the soldiers who’ve been fighting in Gaza. As of last Thursday, according to a staff member, they had received 300 letters and delivered more than 200. The project is named SOS (Strengthen Our Soldiers), and is being promoted in the U.S. by the National Council of Young Israel. The soldiers need our moral support on an ongoing basis.

The letters are printed out on nice paper and given to Colonel Rapp who served in Gaza as a commander of thousands of soldiers. He and others under his command distributed the letters in Gaza, and others were given to soldiers when they returned to Israel for “a few hours of rest” from the fighting.

Encouragement and good wishes can be sent to idfletters at youngisrael.org. Send general inquiries to office at panimelpanim.org.il.

Gum Running — getting chewing gum out of the U.S. and to the IDF

When Israel was born, activists helped smuggle arms to the new state. In recent weeks, it’s not guns, but gum that has been rushed to the fighters defending the Jewish homeland against its enemies.

David Bibi received a call from a friend in Israel who leads a sniper platoon. They were almost finished with their supply of military Caffeine Energy Gum. They needed 40 cases sent immediately from the U.S.; approximately 11,000 packs, each with five 100mg pieces.

“A version of the gum is being used by the U.S. Military,” says Bibi. “The gum works instantly... Through oral absorption, chewing one piece delivers 100mg of caffeine five times faster than pills or coffee.”

Each case would cost $432, so Bibi had to figure out how to get the gum from the manufacturer and how to pay for it.

“I guess when money is tight in Israel, even the army will ask everyone for help. And how could you say no? A soldier’s life often depends on his ability to be alert after sitting up with no sleep for hours on end. All the more so a sniper!”

The gum –– all of it –– was to be delivered to Bibi last Thursday morning, rather early, around 8:30 a.m., and was to be taken by a group of students who’d board a flight from Newark to Tel Aviv at 12 noon. But it was 11:30 a.m. when the gum finally arrived.

With a friend at the wheel, Bibi’s wife, Chantelle, headed from Atlantic Beach to Newark, NJ. Chantelle was ripping open boxes to find cases and then the packs. Thousands were transferred to duffel bags. They arrived (with the help of State Troopers), but the plane had already boarded and the terminal area was empty.

Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone of NCSY, who was helping the students, came out from the gate, got the gum and then was able to get back onboard, with the thousands of packs of gum loaded into duffels and knap sacks. “We’re not sure how he managed,” Bibi says. “We’re not sure how security not only cooperated but assisted. We’re not sure who held up the plane, but someone was cooperating. The plane was delayed 30 minutes.”

Bibi relates that on one Sunday during the war his friend Aviad, who initially requested the gum shipment, visited with injured soldiers and distributed gum to troops in Gaza.

“The bottom line,” sums up Bibi, “is that the commanders and the soldiers were so appreciative. After a week out in the field the gum was, in their words, a G-d send! As of that Sunday night sixty percent of the troops had packages of the caffeine gum.”

There have been requests for more gum. Individuals that would like to help the soldiers by paying for additional cases can contact David Bibi, leader of the Sephardic Congregation of Long Beach, directly at DavidBibi at gmail.com.

Send a care package to a soldier

Thank Israeli Soldiers is an Israeli charity, founded by three young IDF reserve officers. With the click of a mouse and in less than five minutes, you can send a care package, along with a note, to an Israeli soldier.

There are three care packages available for purchase, ranging in price from $18 to $36. The website displays the items contained in the packages: underwear, shampoo, soap, candy, dried fruits, even a flashlight or word game books.

The Thank Israeli Soldiers website shares some of the reactions they get from soldiers who received the packages. “The soldiers were astounded and amazed, saying over and over that they could not believe what they saw. The joy was great and the reaction was emotional. Clearly, there are ways to warm hearts on these cold and challenging days.”

One hundred percent of your donation goes to the soldier. Purchase your care package at www.thankisraelisoldiers.org.

Winter clothing for the soldiers

In April, the organization Yashar LaChayal provided 24 refrigerators to soldiers who come from homes lacking basic appliances (the refrigerators were donated by one family).

During the current crisis they began an emergency campaign and Yashar LaChayal volunteers headed down south with much needed supplies. The National Council of Young Israel is helping them on this end, with a campaign to raise money for clothing items that the soldiers are, surprisingly, lacking. The campaign is providing basic items not supplied by the army, including fleece jackets, ski quality long underwear, wool socks, hats and scarves and special packages to wounded soldiers.

Rabbi David Warshaw from Young Israel explains why outside sources need to be enlisted: “Specifically, the items which we are funding, primarily warm weather clothes, underwear and the like, are simply not a priority to the IDF in the greater scheme of things.”

Some of the items currently needed and their costs are:

  • High quality fleece jackets - $20 each
  • A package of socks, undershirt and underwear - $8
  • Ski quality long underwear - $18
  • A package of a wool scarf, wool hat, and wool socks - $20
  • A package for a wounded soldier –– includes a bathrobe, bath towel and toiletry bag –– $38.

Donate by contacting Rabbi David Warshaw, at 212 929-1525 x105 or via email at rdwarshaw at Young Israel.org.

Hot coffee, fresh bourekas, and a chance for soldiers to recharge cell phones

On the last Monday in December, David Landau, founder of Standing Together, an organization supporting soldiers on active duty, pulled up with the organization’s trailer to an IDF staging area near Gaza. He had just purchased food supplies in Sderot and now the soldiers, drawn by the aromas of fresh coffee and fresh-baked pastries were crowding around the Standing Together visitors. Word spread quickly. A mobile charging station with dozens of outlets on the side of the trailer also provided an opportunity for the soldiers to recharge their cell phones.

Standing Together began a number of years ago by sending pizzas to soldiers guarding checkpoints, and quickly realized that keeping soldiers happy was essential. They cater to the different needs of soldiers, sending drinks, food, clothes, undergarments, and more to Israel soldiers in the field.

Miriam Gottlieb from Standing Together says that the Israeli army provides the basic needs, such as food and uniform (and of course weaponry). “We bring extras that you and I might consider necessary. The army at wartime sees things like deodorant as extra. They are in areas with no laundry facilities so we are bringing them clean underwear and towels.”

People can donate by mail, sent to Standing Together c/o Welcher 643 Branch Blvd. Cedarhurst, NY 11516, or online at www.stogether.org/gaza.

Judah S. Harris is a photographer, filmmaker, speaker and writer. His work can be seen at www.judahsharris.com/visit and has appeared in museum exhibits, on the Op-Ed Pages of The New York Times, on the covers of more than 40 novels, and in advertising all over the world. He photographs weddings, family and organizational events, and can be contacted directly at judah at judahsharris. com.