Ohr Torah Stone | Features | Newsletter Summer 2002

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ENOUGH FOOD FOR AN ARMY

Just days after reciting "Ha Lachma Anya" - the traditional seder invitation to all those who need food to eat or a place to stay for the Pesach holiday - Ohr Torah Stone and the Efrat community put their words into action for hundreds of soldiers stationed in town for Operation Defensive Shield. The speed and scope of the emergency call-up had caught the army short of Passover food for the 450 reservists, who poured into the improvised army base hastily set up in Efrat's community center. Here, one reservist describes his experience:

Dear Rabbi Riskin,

I recently completed a month of reserve duty, serving with my regiment in the Efrat-Bethlehem area.

The first day we arrived in Efrat, residents began streaming out of their houses, offering coffee, tea and soup. I was sure they were not aware of the logistics it took to feed an entire regiment. But there were drinks and cake for all.

We were then prepared to return to our accustomed combat rations. Nothing prepared us for the welcome that ensued. Residents took turns giving us 24-hour-a-day service in the community center courtyard. We were bombarded day and night with undreamt-of, exquisite Pesach cooking. But more than anything, the warmth and care we were showered with left us all quite overwhelmed.

And if that was not enough, people continued to provide, on a completely voluntary basis, daily meals for us all. The supply of meals was so coordinated that they could be "shuttled" to our companies stationed in Bethlehem with our daily armored supply convoy. I still cannot understand how such an endeavor could have been brought off, for so long and in such a nice way.

On behalf of Regiment 8 of the Jerusalem Brigade, I would like to extend our sincerest thanks. We salute you!

With appreciation,
Evan David Feinsilver

Ohr Torah Stone's Food Manager Paul Sacks (second from left) personally delivers the Shabbat meals prepared for the soldiers the OTS central kitchen. Rabbi Riskin regularly visited the soldiers stationed in Efrat, boosting their morale with stories, shiurim and inspiring discussions.

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