Israel, and in particular it security forces, are under attack on every front. Missiles are pointed at us from every geographical position; Arab nations have offered million dollar rewards for the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers; in the international press we have been portrayed as an aggressive occupying force killing innocent women and children.

While we know all of this to be libelous propaganda, this background makes the job of the IDF soldier even harder.

Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, comes to bring light into the darkness. This is done physically by lighting a menorah and in numerous other ways to gladden the heart.

We invite you, our friends and supporters, to join us in spreading the light!

• If you will be in Israel during Chanukah, please consider joining us for candle lighting and a Chanukah party on an army base.
  

• Make sure the IDF bases have large chanukiyot so that group celebrations can take place. Within our catchment area, Connections Israel has obligated to supply 15 large menorahs to  15 bases this year. In addition to the 12 Menorahs we sponsored last year. Dedicate such a gift to a base – a plaque with a dedication will be affixed to it. Cost: $250
  

• Sufganiyot for Soldiers: For all of the soldiers stationed at checkpoints who cannot partake in a celebration on base, we are making an effort to make sure they are not forgotten. The IDF truck is ready to transport sufganiyot, the sweet jelly donuts that Israelis look forward to all year, to these chayalim around the country. Everyone can participate in this project! Cost: $1 per Chayal.

We want to try reach the goal of 10,000 sufganiot this year.

This year, include the IDF in your Chanukah celebrations by sponsoring and participating in one of our Chanukah IDF projects.

No one is more worthy of receiving than our chayalim!

To sponsor – click here !

*Translate this page

Deutsch español suomi français

עברית italiano Nederlands русский

svenska Türkçe powered by

On the eve of Rosh Hashana a few years ago, I didn’t for prepare for this special day as I normally would. I didn’t review the prayers in advance as is my usual habit; I didn’t hum the special tunes of the beautiful poems that appear throughout the services; I didn’t complete my study of Talmud Roshs Hashana, my usual form of preparation for the holiday.

On the night of Rosh Hashana a few years ago,  I didn’t read the first chapter of  “The Gates of Repentance” in preparation for the first of the approaching Ten Days of Repentance. I didn’t open a single book or read a single word.

And I wasn’t alone. It was the day before Rosh Hashana and amongst an entire division, not one person found even a half hour to sit by himself and contemplate the approaching Day of Judgment. We all knew it was Rosh Hashana, but… – we didn’t open a book, we didn’t reflect on the past year. It was night, and in a few short hours Rosh Hashana would begin. It was Rosh Hashana eve … and we didn’t do that.

On that Rosh Hashana eve we were on the trek with stretchers. We were on an exhausting 24 kilometer trek along dusty natural trails. I will never forget how on Rosh Hashana night , when everyone is feeling the pain of penitence, we were feeling the pain of the hike. When everyone is thinking of the Days of Awe, we were thinking of the moment we would finally reach our base and complete this trek.

On this Rosh Hashana, we didn’t open a prayer book – we relived a fellow soldier. We didn’t sit by ourselves in reflection and contemplation – we rushed to carry three heavy stretchers at a maddening pace. We didn’t immerse ourselves in the holy water of a ritual bath – we bathed in stream of sweat. We didn’t complete any Jewish text of study, we completed a journey. And perhaps, the same sweet and joyful sense one experiences in the self reflective process of repentance, we experienced upon our return to base when we raised the stretchers shouting, “We have arrived!”

For us, for the Rosh Hashana of that year, that was the best preparation we could have had for the holiday. It was the most fitting introduction to the ten Days of Awe. It was an opportunity to correct our mistakes of previous treks in which we fell behind. It was a time to right the wrongs of previous times, the ones in which we perhaps didn’t help our fellow soldiers enough or those in which we didn’t apply our full potential. This was our way to prepare for  the “tomorrow” of our lives.

To this day, ever Rosh Hashana eve I remember this difficult training exercise, the 24 kilometer  trek with stretchers. The trek, that in my memory was the best trek we ever had to do.

Download our Rosh Hashana Flyer.

*Translate this page

Deutsch español suomi français

עברית italiano Nederlands русский

svenska Türkçe powered by

Last week we met with our IDF liaison to better understand what the army is anticipating given the impending Sept. 20th unilateral announcement regarding an independent Palestinian state. We listened to a confidential briefing regarding redeployment of troops in various areas of the country; expected interruptions in soldier training programs in order to commit the maximum number of soldiers to active duty in designated “hot spots;” possible reservist call ups as well as other emergency time measures. All of this was raised with us so that we could reach out to you, our partners, in order to provide some of the intangibles to our young men and women who will be facing difficult conditions physically, emotionally and spiritually exactly at one of the most intense times of the Jewish year – its high holidays.

Unfortunately, as we were preparing this information for you, the south erupted in unprecedented rocket attacks. The unfortunately commonplace past experience of Sderot has now engulfed a significant portion of our southern region with 80 rockets falling in the greater Be’er Sheva region in less than two days! Ofakim, for example, is one of a number of communities where there have been direct hits resulting in loss of life and serious injuries not to mention damage to homes and institutional structures. In one case, a 38 year old man who was driving to his 9 month pregnant wife followed emergency procedures of vacating his vehicle and seeking cover when a siren sounded, only to be fatally hit by flying shrapnel. His two children and unborn infant will never have the father who loved them share their life with them. This, my friends, is only one story of many. The government is now sending 50 reinforced shelters (the type that line the streets of Sderot) down to Ofakim now, but most homes have no safe rooms, public shelters are in disrepair and the residents are slowly learning what it means to run, hide and pray.

And bear in mind, this does not take into account what we are expecting to see in September! Our projected program of enhancing the holiday spirit of mobilized forces living under adverse conditions is now taking a backseat to more immediate demands.
Please also send letters of support to our people and soldiers. These heartfelt expressions of concern provide tremendous strength. Feel free to write them in any language you feel comfortable with as our army and country is truly an ingathering of the exiles with representatives from every corner of the earth.

Donations can be made online at:
www.connectionsisrael.com/donate

Checks and letters can be mailed to:
Connections Israel
P O Box 28371
Jerusalem 91283

We also ask that you add a prayer for the well being of the Jewish People and her soldiers. If you would like to “adopt a soldier in prayer” we will provide you with the name of an individual on active duty. While we are familiar with increased prayer during the period of the High Holidays, it seems that with a nation going to increased alert status, increased rocket fire of both small and large grad type missiles, and roadside shootings, we must use every possible form of “ammunition” to respond. Prayer and charity are two traditional responses to national difficulties and coupled with our modern army the results can be truly miraculous! Please play an active role in this miracle waiting to happen!

*Translate this page

Deutsch español suomi français

עברית italiano Nederlands русский

svenska Türkçe powered by

As the world braces for another summer of flotillas attempting to break the Gaza blockade, the US government has issued warnings and noted recent seizures by both Israel and Egypt of all types of weapons and ammunition bound for Gaza. Although mortar fire from Gaza into Sderot has decreased dramatically, the fact that it still occurs on a monthly basis, something not widely reported, is unfathomable to the average citizen of a free country. Such, however, are the harsh realities of life in Sderot.

With this background, it is easy to understand why more than three quarters of the population of Sderot suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; why children have difficulty enjoying their summer vacation; why the social welfare roster of families in distress continues to climb; why parents, struggling to put food on the table, can’t even think about planning a bar mitzvah.

Connections Israel has promised not to forget the children of Sderot!
With your generous support we celebrated the bat mitzvah of 31 girls in winter. Please help us now to do the same for a group of young men about to become bar mitzvah.

All participants of the Sderot group bar mitzvah program are children whose families are on public assistance with multiple presenting problems. Without you, there will be no smiling memories of this milestone occasion. Help us to help them! From supplying religious articles, to a group celebration, the group bar mitzvah creates memories that last a lifetime and smiles that light up the darkness of their daily lives.
See for yourself on our YouTube channel.

If you are celebrating a simcha, please consider sharing it with the Sderot group bar mitzvah project; looking for a tax deduction, the Sderot group bar mitzvah project provides the perfect vehicle; searching for  a worthwhile recipient for your tzedaka money – these boys certainly qualify. Whatever the reason, please consider making a donation towards the Sderot group bar mitzvah program today!

While we are focusing our efforts on the children of Sderot this summer, rest assured that we offer ongoing support to thecourageous men and women protecting our country by serving in the IDF. At present, the Navy, Navy Seals and Commando units are on high alert given the potentially explosive situation at sea; the army is on general alert given the constant breaching of northern borders; other units are preparing for disruptive events that we have been warned will target our airport.

Schools, synagogues, communities and individuals are urged to consider adopting a unit, saying tehillim for individuals on active duty (we can supply you with names),building a relationship with one of the hundreds of lone soldiers serving here etc. Contact us, and together we will create a mutually beneficial project.

May your acts of loving-kindness toward a fellow Jew be rewarded tenfold.

Sincerely,
The Connections Israel Team

*Translate this page

Deutsch español suomi français

עברית italiano Nederlands русский

svenska Türkçe powered by

Jewish holidays coincide not only with historical events but also with agricultural seasons. As such, we are commanded that Passover must fall out in the springtime. Being that we operate on a lunar cycle, in leap years we add an entire month before Passover when it is clear that without this additional time Passover would not be celebrated in spring. When we add this additional month, called Adar II, as we did this year, Purim is celebrated during this month to connect one miraculous redemption to another.

Miraculous would be a good term to use in describing Connections Israel’s springtime initiatives. This year, many new schools, communities and individuals joined our Purim campaign in which we delivered thousands of mishloach manot packages to soldiers serving in every branch of the IDF – army, navy and air force. Soldiers were so touched by your concern for them, that many wrote short thank you notes on the spot!

Purim provided the natural connection to Passover – from one redemption to another; from extra goodies and warm wishes to meeting basic needs that enable family celebrations. Our goal was to supply the 30 soldiers who had been identified to us as lacking basic necessities for Pesach to be stocked with whatever they need. Once again, you answered our call and all 30 requests were met. In some cases basic ingredients were provided to a soldier’s family so that he could return from base and his mother would have food to feed him; a young couple who recently became parents needed baby formula in addition to basic ingredients and they received not only that but a small gift for the baby; some young men received a new shirt for the chag and other’s pocket money to enjoy the day off they had from their service. In essence, each soldier’s unique needs were met which enabled him or her to enjoy this holiday of freedom!

Just as our ancient freedom came at a great cost of hundreds of years of slavery, our modern freedom also came at great cost of human life. In the weeks following Pesach, we have remembered those who were massacred during the Holocaust , those who gave their lives on our soil’s battlefields and those murdered in terrorist attacks. We have shared personal information on Holocaust victims, fallen soldiers and victims of terror with you in the hopes that by becoming familiar with an individual it would help you feel connected to our People and our national commemorations.

As we know, both personally and as a nation, the darkest of nights are followed by great light. And so, we have been privileged to celebrate Israel’s 63rd Independence Day with our chayalim and look forward to Yom Yerushalayim and re-experiencing the joy that flowed freely upon the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 once the Old City was liberated from Jordanian rule by our paratroopers. Those of us who are privileged to live in Israel drink in these days with pride and a sense of being a part in the chain of history. We encourage you to visit our website read firsthand accounts of this modern day miracle by the soldiers who were there. New educational materials are also available for free on our website for your school programming. As always, we would be happy to consult with you in designing a meaningful program for your community.

It is never enough to be satisfied with one’s accomplishments. So in this time period between Pesach and Shavuaot, when we count the days towards receiving the torah, we at Connections Israel are also busy planning ahead and counting the days till our next major event – the annual Sderot group bar mitzvah for needy children and their families. Just as all Jews were present at Mt. Sinai to receive the torah, we make sure that all families who want to celebrate their personal acceptance of torah through a bar mitzvah are able to do so. Please consider partnering with us on this program.
Details are available on our website.

Finally, for those of you who are planning to visit Israel in the coming months, please let us know. We’d be delighted to help make what is sure to be a special trip, even more unique. Celebrating a simcha in Israel? Consider sharing it with lone soldiers, peers in Sderot or doing a chesed project while here. When you do an action, you create memories that last a lifetime, and we are happy to create the connection!

Wishing all of you, our partners and supporters, a healthy spring and summer!

*Translate this page

Deutsch español suomi français

עברית italiano Nederlands русский

svenska Türkçe powered by

Distributing mishloach manot to chayalim is much more than packing up treats to eat and handing them out. It’s about giving each soldier a virtual hug from their extended family of Am Yisrael around the world. It’s about bringing a smile to a soldier who has just spent the night on an intelligence gathering mission in Ramallah. It’s about saying thank you to a lonely soldier in a guard tower making sure the local community is safe. It’s about connecting in a meaningful way!

As you watch the video clip below, look at the smiles that spontaneously break out on the men and women in green; appreciate the fact that a group of combat soldiers and their commanding officers spontaneously broke out into song and dance in response to receiving your gifts; notice that each card is carefully read and saved to savor, along with the goodies, later on.

Join us for a virtual tour of Purim 2011 with the IDF.

*Translate this page

Deutsch español suomi français

עברית italiano Nederlands русский

svenska Türkçe powered by

They guard our land; they risk their lives; they leave their wives and children, parents and siblings to ensure that all of us can live in relative safety. Are they expected to sacrifice their daily existence as well? Aren’t they entitled to experience the holiday of Passover as an expression of freedom too?

Unfortunately, the average soldier’s salary is far below minimum wage. This means that in many cases young wives are left at home with infants unable to afford to buy baby formula to supplement feedings. So in addition to being the only fulltime parent at home, these young mothers don’t even have a possibility of relief in their responsibilities.

Understandably, soldiers are not allowed to moonlight and make additional money during their brief respite periods from active duty. Lone soldiers who have a studio apartment or share a space with a friend are often faced with the decision of paying a utility bill or buying food for Shabbat.

Each individual is a world and each chayal in need has a unique story. At this time of year, when we remember the gift of redemption, please enable a chayal in need, who through personal daily sacrifice insures our freedom, to experience the joy of freedom too!

A gift of $150 will supply the basic Passover needs to a Lone soldier or married soldier currently experiencing financial difficulty. A complete Passover Package of basic needs such as oil, matzot, spices, chicken, matzah meal, wine etc. will be delivered to his home. Since these individuals are known personally, each box will take into consideration the particular needs of this soldier. Also, something this soldier would experience as “special” will be included to make sure that he will joyously celebrate Passover 5771.

Thirty soldiers in such dire straits have been referred to Connections Israel. As you shop for your Pesach needs, please enable us to shop for theirs!

Donations to our IDF Passover Freedom Package can be made securely online.

*Translate this page

Deutsch español suomi français

עברית italiano Nederlands русский

svenska Türkçe powered by

If “seeing is believing,” than seeing, meeting and sharing translates into believing, internalizing and growing. And that is exactly what over 100 young men and women on our various winter educational missions to Sderot did!

Aish New York incorporated a trip to Sderot through Connections Israel for their college students. As students on American college campuses these young adults are often exposed to guest speakers and professors with a strong Arab bias. Standing at the overlook, less than 2 miles away from Gaza city, next door to a family’s backyard, with the blimp which relays the red alert siren when a kassam is launched overhead, all of a sudden events in the news came into sharp focus.

Similarly, the students of Midreshet Rachel, a seminary for young women in their 20’s, many of whom have chosen to take time out of their professional careers to strengthen their Jewish and textual knowledge, were shocked to learn that approximately three quarters of the population of Sderot suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. In addition to exploring the fully indoor reinforced concrete play center, they chose to spend part of their day working with the girls who would be celebrating their bat mitzvah with us in Jerusalem just a few weeks later. Chessed works in both directions, and so the visitors helped the bat mitzvah girls prepare a special gift for their partners – the bat mitzvah girls of the Yeshiva of Flatbush. This “up close and personal” interaction transformed a day of information into one of personal stories and experiences. Davening mincha as the sun was setting on top of the hill overlooking Gaza , clearly helped these students to pray with a greater intensity.

Our final group was the post high school students spending their year studying at Tiferet. The bus ride is always a time when background information is provided and discussion begins. This day began with the question of why we have to go there – it’s so scary. That week ‘s Torah portion described Moses going out of the palace to see the suffering of his brothers (Exodus 2:11), and that is exactly what these girls experienced. After meeting with their peers and getting a dose of reality, there was a new found appreciation and pride of being a part of the Jewish People, a peaceful people whose bravery is expressed in caring for and taking responsibility for others, in turning the remnants of kassam rockets into a menorah symbolizing the light of the Jewish People.

For more information on educational missions, army base experiences and unique ways of celebrating your simcha, contact Sharon at sharon@connectionsisrael.com Remember, while seeing is believing, doing is what makes the difference!

*Translate this page

Deutsch español suomi français

עברית italiano Nederlands русский

svenska Türkçe powered by

Chanukah is a time for celebration! This year we can not only revisit our miracle filled history but also shape its modern day commemoration.

Today’s Maccabees are 18 year old men and women, recent high school graduates, who spend months in basic training developing their bodies and minds to serve as our protectors. They take three years or more out of their lives to give to the Jewish People. How can we acknowledge their contribution? How can we partner with them? What Chanukah gift can we give them? And how can our involvement impact our local community?

Consider any and all of the options below – which is the best fit for you? Please feel free to contact us to discuss ways in which to integrate these programs into your activities.

Giving and Receiving: Our IDF representative has approached us with a special request: There are 8 basesthat are still without large menorahs for the Chanukah programs in his catchment area. Can we assure him that the 100’s of soldiers on these bases will enjoy the light of the hanukiyah this year? Better yet, how would you like to kindle your special hanukiyah, the same one you sponsor for a base, simultaneously with these soldiers?

Simultaneous celebrations: $500 – you receive the same menorah as the base you supply!

Special large Hanukiyah for a base: $250

Hanukiyot ( Hebrew for Chanukah menorah) for Heroes – Chanukah is a time for re-dedication and lighting the hanukiah nightly for eight days brings a lot of light into the darkest time of year in the darkest of places. While Chanukah celebrations take place nightly at all the major bases, our soldiers who are standing guard in lonely outposts, patrolling in small groups and sleeping in makeshift facilities don’t have the sense of community which Chanukah brings. This year we are offering you a special opportunity, a chance to bring the spirit of Chanukah to these far flung places and lonely chayalim. Sponsor a soldier for Chanukah and he will receive an oil menorah to be used throughout the holiday and the local Chanukah treat of sufganiyot (jelly donuts) .

Sponsorship: $36 per chayal

Chanukah gift basket for a chayal: In modern times, we have moved from “Chanukah gelt (money)” to Chanukah gifts. It has become a tradition for many, to include a gift for someone outside of the family circle at this time of year. Connections Israel is offering you a special opportunity to share a gift basket with a soldier on active duty and thereby light up the darkness of cold winter nights on patrol and operations. Include a personal note and provide a gift for the body and soul!

Sponsorship: $18 per chayal

Memos for Modern Macabees: Remember what it was like to get mail (before the days of email) while away at camp? Now imagine what it feels like to be serving in the army, without access to email, and missing all the fun of Chanukah vacations, parties and friends. Although soldiers don’t have access to email they do get cards and letters, so support our troops by letting them know that they are in your hearts and on your minds, especially during times of celebration! Create a card, write a letter, express yourself and let them know you care!

Looking forward to working with you,
The Connections Israel Family
info@connectionsisrael.com

Also explore our simcha site: www.shareyoursimcha.org

Donations can easily be made online: www.connectionsisrael.com

*Translate this page

Deutsch español suomi français

עברית italiano Nederlands русский

svenska Türkçe powered by