By COLlive reporter
As Israel was fending off the barrage of rocket attacks by Arab terrorists in Gaza, a group of Chabad Shluchim in California decided to pull together financial aid and personally bring it to the holy land as moral support.
“We needed to show our brothers in sisters in Eretz Yisroel that we are standing with them during this difficult time,” said Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie, Director of North County Chabad Center in Yorba Linda and president of the Rabbinical Council of Orange County and Long Beach.
In two days, they received unprecedented permission from the Israeli government at a time when entry is limited.
Upon landing last Monday, they headed straight to the town of Kadit to visit the family of the Israeli killed by an Arab mob in Lod. They were accompanied by Rabbi Menachem Kutner, director of the Chabad Terror Victims Project (
From there, they traveled to Jerusalem and met with Israel’s Chief Rabbi Dovid Lau. “Your visit is very important,” he said, urging them to reach out to all those families suffering.
It was a three-day whirlwind of visits to families, Shluchim on the front lines, army bases, and briefings. The visit, which was covered by Israeli TV, included meetings with the Deputy Military Commander of the Gaza district, the security officer of Gaza communities, and the mayor of Sderot.
“We were able to see the dedication of the Shluchim in these towns who put their own needs aside to help others,” said Rabbi Dov Ber Berkowitz of Contra Costa. “It was an eye-opener of truth to the reality of the matzav in Eretz Hakodesh,” said Rabbi Shmuli Schlanger of Bakersfield.
The Shluchim provided grants to the Chabad centers and communities in Ashkelon and Sderot and families whose homes have been damaged. They heard first-hand accounts of the suffering these residents are experiencing on a daily basis. “This highly impactful trip has truly been an eye-opening experience for us,” said Rabbi Chaim Hanoka of Pasadena.
The Shluchim visited several army bases. At one site, just yards from the border with Gaza, they met the English-speaking commander of an IDF unit. They soon learned that she is an American serving in the IDF and that she worked as a teacher at the Hebrew school of Chabad in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
From the border of Gaza, one of the Shluchim dialed Rabbi Mendy Mangel, Director of Chabad Cherry Hill. He answered the call and was thrilled to reconnect with the former teacher and shared words of encouragement in her work to protect Jewish lives.
At another location, the soldiers sang and danced and accepted the soldiers’ challenge to the Shluchim of a game of chess. At the largest Israeli Air Force base in the Negev, they sponsored a BBQ for hundreds of soldiers who had carried out the bulk of the battle. The Shluchim were given a chance to see Israel’s newest plane the F-35.
Their trip was followed via social media in their communities. Rabbi Berkowitz said, “our communities were inspired by our trip.”
“The trip had a palpable impact on my entire community,” agreed Rabbi Schlanger.
Rabbi Hanoka added, “it allowed our community and many others to vicariously live the experience with us. This no doubt changed many perspectives as to what is really happening in Eretz Israel.”
Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie explained the deeper purpose. “The time has come for Shluchim in the US to realize they have an important responsibility,” he told COLlive.com.
“First, we need to stand at the forefront of efforts to mobilize our communities in a time of crisis in Eretz Yisroel. Sadly, we are living in a period where others are hesitant to speak out, we need to provide that leadership.”
Second, Rabbi Eliezrie explained, “many in our communities want to support Eretz Yisroel. We can direct that support to Chabad institutions who really need it.”
VIDEO:
Rabbi David Eliezrie explains the realities on the Gaza border
Beautiful!