Rubin Margules, President of the Brooklyn Region of the Zionist Organization of
America, returned from the group's annual Purim Mishloach Manot Mission
for Israeli soldiers. Mission participants included his daughter Rachyl, Reya
Zegel, her daughter Michelle, and Judith Shapiro who is co- chairman of the NYC
Jewish Community Relations Council. Rabbi Moshe Zwick of the Shulamit School for
Girls and his lovely wife Chaya joined us on our trip to Kever Rachel, and to
the soldiers stationed there; after which we continued on to Kiryat Arba, Hevron
and the Maarat Hamachpela.
The trip was the culmination of a Mishloach Manot campaign
coordinated by the ZOA Brooklyn Region that involved a dozen Yeshivas in the
Metropolitan New York area, and numerous individual contributors. The success of
the Mission owes a large debt to the Sar-El office of the Israeli Army whose
logistical support for our mission was critical. The group visited dozens of
Israeli Army bases throughout Israel, ranging from main base camps to small
outposts on cold wind swept hilltops in Yesha, distributing literally thousands
of Shalah Manot packages.
We also had the privilege to visit and distribute Mishloach Manot to Israeli and
American soldiers manning a Patriot Missile Battery in Jaffo.
The purpose of this Mission was to show the Israeli soldiers
that we care, that they are not alone, and that we are all part of the Jewish
culture. It succeeded well beyond our expectations. It was our intention to say
thank you to the soldiers, but they in turn could not stop saying thank you to
us, for coming and for caring. The young defenders of Israel sincerely expressed
their thanks and appreciation verbally as well as with song and dance. This was
a mission to show Achdus with our brethren in Israel who are not only guarding
Eretz Yisroel, the land of Israel, as one of the letters stated, but also the
nation of Israel. The knowledge that they have thousands of friends and admirers
in New York, some of whom were willing to join them in these difficult times,
was a source of strength to them and an overwhelming emotional experience for
us.
In addition to the Mishloach Manot each soldier also received
an individual letter of friendship and support from a student in a Yeshiva or a
message from an adult who participated in the project. The letters were as
eagerly received as the packages. Many of the soldiers immediately responded to
the message received, and hopefully a correspondence will develop.
Special thanks to the following Yeshivas, their faculty and
student leaders that participated in this project and whose students were taught Achdus, that the strength of our people is its oneness:
Mesivta Rambam of
Lawrence NY, Yeshiva of Flatbush H.S., H.A.L.B., Hebrew Academy of the Five
Towns, H.A.N.C., Yeshiva High School for Girls, {Central}, Derech Hatorah; Bais
Ezra; Stern College, Yeshiva of Manhattan Beach, RAMAZ Middle School, Kinneret
School, and The Stella K. Abraham H.S. for Girls.
May all of you be blessed for the joy, which you brought to
Tzahal, and next year may we celebrate Purim Sameach with Shalom al Yisroel.
Peace for Israel.
