by Malka Abrams
These days, any time the phone rings my family jumps. Today, after days of not hearing from my brother, he called from the front lines. Finally (chasdei Hashem), we got to hear his voice and it soothed us. He shared with us a little about his experience from Shabbat October 7th. He said: “I knew that something was wrong when my mefaked (commander) called me that Shabbat as he knows I am frum. He told me to come right away to the base so I left as quickly as possible but first I grabbed my mezuzah for extra protection and tucked it into my vest”.
My brother shared with us that this is something he learned from the famous Bielsky brothers who fought to protect Jews in the forests of Poland and now he is privileged to do so in the fight for Eretz Yisrael. While Bullet proof vests, helmets, and night vision equipment are just some of the military items generously donated by our incredible community over the past week or so, we must remember that under those vests and helmets are not only mezuzahs but rather something else the army runs on; Its stomach.
Earlier this week I saw a humorous video of a chayal in miluim (reservist duty) pretending to be a food critic as he showcased “what was on the menu” in his M.R.E. He presented a can of red beans, a separate can of white beans, a can of corn and stale crackers. When this menu was in fact confirmed by my brother, my father knew he had to do something to help the chayalim with the proper nourishment they need to defend us.
One phone call led to the next and in a short time we were able to set up a collaboration between the highly regarded Falafel Netanya restaurant and the well-established Gush Etzion Foundation, a longstanding IRC Section 501(c)(3) that has always received strong backing from the 5-Towns community.
Project Falafel was born and is literally a “well-oiled machine”, providing warm meals to chayalim as an alternative to the canned war rations being distributed by the army. It was crucial that the desire to feed the chayalim, be properly executed, and we are proud to say that every detail has been taken into consideration. We have set up a cooking staff and a packaging staff, and have utilized contacts on the ground who facilitate that the meals can be brought beyond the closed military zone and enjoyed by those on the front lines. This is one organization truly making a difference in the daily quality of life of our brave soldiers. In the first few days of Project Falafel, we were able to arrange for the distribution of over 25,000 falafel sandwiches to our brave soldiers and we were able to distribute platters to various families currently sitting shiva throughout the country as a result of their loved ones being murdered by terrorists.
In addition to the daily falafel shipments, a falafel truck has been organized that can provide hot fresh meals so that both the northern and southern fronts can each receive sandwiches. We were able to obtain authorization for the truck to enter the closed military zone at the Gaza border to provide food to our troops there.
It is important to note that Falafel Netanya has a Mehadrin supervision. While many people throughout the country have been trying to pass along home-made trays of food, those chayalim who are more stringent about kashrut, have not been able to eat because the kashrut of the originating kitchen is unknown. The owner of Falafel Netanya is providing a significant discount on each falafel sandwich and is providing a significant percentage match on each falafel sandwich donated.
While we all daven that this war will end quickly and victoriously, Project Falafel is here to ensure the soldiers have a warm meal as long as they are fighting. In order to continue doing this important work, they need funding. Any contribution is appreciated.
Donating is easy: simply visit https://www.peach-in.com/cmp/MGsVa3sx2?ref=Ot5T2cen, click your donation amount and MAKE SURE TO WRITE FALAFEL IN THE DEDICATION SECTION.