The 'Ezer LaHayal' ('Aid to Soldiers') association provides a precise response to every base and every request coming from the field.
Following the Swords of Iron War, an exceptionally brutal war imposed on the citizens of the State of Israel by despicable and low murderers. Human monsters who embarked on a murderous rampage, committing acts of robbery, degradation, and heinous crimes rooted in the lowest moral depths.
The organization 'Aid to Soldiers' has already been operating and is well-known among soldiers and their commanders for procuring and delivering aid items, food, and hygiene products as needed and requested.
"The IDF and Chabad is a natural connection"
Even from a distance, the unusual sight captures our attention. Two tents have been set up in the center of a private residential neighborhood in the pastoral village of Kfar Chabad. As we approach, we are astonished by what we see. After the initial shock, we begin to realize how natural this activity appears to us. Or as Colonel Shimon Hefetz, the military secretary of Israeli Presidents Ezer Weizman, Moshe Katsav, and Shimon Peres, so aptly described it: "I'm not surprised by the remarkable command center. In my eyes, the connection between the IDF and Chabad seems entirely natural."
One of the tents serves as the central command center location, where an advanced digital center has been established to centralize incoming requests based on categories and the status of each inquiry. Each request is directed to a dedicated hotline operator who accompanies the request until it is completed with the utmost care and attention.
There is also an extensive telephone system in place, which centralizes the reception of requests, transportation of packages, and essentially manages all incoming inquiries.
Next to it there is also the other tent where packages and shipments addressed to the army bases are stored for a short period of time. Including blankets and protected thermal equipment. Personal accessories and standard electronic products.
We haven't neglected the distribution of hot meals. Every day, over 1,200 nutritious cooked meals are served. All of this is under the leadership of Rabbi Eliyahu Gutman, who serves as the director of the 'Aid to Soldiers' association, alongside the high-tech entrepreneur Yossi Rabinovitz and Rabbi Gershon Ohana, who have dedicated themselves to this impressive initiative. They have recruited together with around 400 residents of Kfar Chabad who are volunteering full-time in this amazing project.
Complementing protective equipment for soldiers at the front
With an understanding of the unique needs and deficiencies of the soldiers, as well as the close relationship that the association's leaders have with the military commanders, a connection built on past collaborations and a deep understanding of the needs, "Aid to Soldiers" recognized the urgent need to complete protective gear and provide comfort equipment for the soldiers. To achieve this, we embarked on a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
Immediately upon recognizing the urgent need to complete protective gear, "Aid to Soldiers" ordered thermal gear from the United States through personal import, destined for the fighters on the front lines. This was a life-saving mission for the people of Israel. The equipment was expedited through customs at an unprecedented speed due to the close relationships that the system manager, Rabbi Gutman, maintains with the IDF and customs authorities.
In order to finance the equipment and continue the extensive activities for the benefit of the dear soldiers, as well as to expand the assistance and support for the displaced families, "Aid to Soldiers" turns to the general public with a request for help, which will undoubtedly be positively answered.
The opening shot for fundraising activity was given by Major General Udi Shani, the former director general of the Ministry of Defense, who came to tour the command center together with his friend, attorney Moti Tsibin, who was moved by the bustling activity, without any sectoral distinctions.
It's important to note that the entire system operates on a completely voluntary basis, without any payment. This includes the system administrators and the center's commanders. The operating hours of command center are from 7:00 in the morning until 2:30 at night! Volunteers return home for a short rest and then immediately continue the activity.
Assistance is also provided to displaced families
The numerous requests received by "Aid for Soldiers" also lead them to provide assistance and support to families who have been displaced from communities in the Gaza strip envelope. These families often lack basic items like mattresses or furniture, nutritious food, and games and toys. All of these are included in the rich packages that are sent to families whose fathers have been called up to reserve duty, and to the families of the soldiers.
The command center is overseen by public figures and members of Knesset who operate around the clock. The rich voluntary system includes religious and non-religious individuals working side by side for the sake of the people of Israel. During a tour at the center, Member of Knesset Michal Shir from the Yesh Atid party expressed her gratitude to "Aid for Soldiers" for their activities, contributions, and cooperation with various segments of Israeli society. She emphasized the importance of uniting people from different backgrounds and genders for a common goal, women, men and children, without sector differences, with the belief that with the help of the Lord, the people of Israel will emerge even stronger now.
Member of Knesset Yulia Malinovsky from the Israel Beitenu party also emphasized that the primary mission is to do everything to help the soldiers and residents get through this period safely. The secondary mission is to remember to stay united without distinctions of backgrounds and genders after the war is over, with the hope that we will remain united and strong, with God's help.
The uniqueness of "Aid for Soldiers" - the deliveries are exact for every need of every base
These testimonies teach us about the excitement of anyone who gets caught at the entrance to the command center. IDF commanders request to inform the public that there are many organizations and associations that send food and supplies to the soldiers. The uniqueness of "Aid for Soldiers" is that the shipments are received after private coordination with commanders and military officers.
'Aid for Soldiers' doesn't randomly open an assortment of products from anyone nearby. The products we send are dispatched after full coordination, quality and standards checks, and ensuring the highest quality.
Our volunteers, on a daily basis, travel to various bases, including the Golan Heights, Kiryat Shmona, the Hermon, Hebron, Base "Shura," Tzalim, Jenin, Lachish, Ramat David, Navatim, the Givatayim Base in the Gaza strip envelope, Sdeh Teiman, Kibbutz Miryam, and more.
Every shekel of yours goes directly to distribution to fighters, families and reservists
To continue our extensive rescue activity, alongside assisting and supporting displaced families, we need your help!
If you can volunteer at the command center's vehicle base to transport goods and packages to their destinations, please contact us immediately through WhatsApp at +972 73-231-1333.
Also, for help and assistance in the center, in organizing the packages, in the telephone system and more, contact us immediately.
And for all of this, we need money, and a lot of it! To fund the valuable equipment we've purchased for the dear soldiers. Every shekel from you goes directly to distribution. The entire system is operated on a completely voluntary basis, and all donations are dedicated to purchasing and acquiring equipment for families, soldiers, and reservists.
You are welcome to visit the center, donate and of course also help...
Because together we will win!