Israel Active

A group of Chabad IDF reservists erected a 15-foot 9-branch menorah in Beit Hanoun northern Gaza ready for the Jewish festival of Hanukah / Chanukah that begins on Thurs evening Dec 7. It is one of over a dozen Hanukkah Menorahs that will be erected in Gaza, bringing light to the darkest places.

UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis’ message from last week’s sedra is “Be Positive and never despair. “At this very moment when there is a tragic war in Israel, our prayer indeed is that Hashem will bless the Jewish people, and he will transform our darkness into light, and may this happen speedily and instantly.”

Israel’s capital celebrated Thanksgiving last week. Posters thanked residents for donating blood and volunteering. Tens of thousands of evacuees from the north and south, and farmers, were grateful to Jerusalemites for their hospitality. And lone soldiers enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner.

Last week’s newsletter included news of the six people saved by the organs of fallen soldier Yehonatan Semo / Samo (see previously). This week he is emulated by Amichai Rubin. Roi Nahari, Shoham Ben Harush, and Naaran Ashchar.

Since Oct 7, Dutch-based Israeli entrepreneur Eran Efrat, has raised some $40 million to produce tactical gear for IDF soldiers. He didn’t simply give the money to the army but directly solicited US-based manufacturers to produce helmets, ceramic vests, and more.

On his 9th birthday, Ohad Munder was a hostage in Gaza. He was told that his favorite soccer team, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, wished him a happy birthday on TV. It gave Ohad renewed strength and on his release, the players visited him in hospital.

Schneider Children's Hospital is THE hospital designated to receive many of the released children and their families. It has a media-free area, decorated recovery rooms, a multi-disciplinary team of medical and support staff, even family pets are allowed. See photos & donation links here. (UK donors) (Israeli & US donors)

Beraha Astruk is a Head Nurse at Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. After work, she voluntarily spends her evenings and weekends cooking for two IDF battalions stationed near the northern border. She even invites the soldiers to do their laundry at her house. Beraha has two sons in the IDF in Gaza.

Eritrean national Mulugeta Tsagi received permanent residency status in Israel as a “thank you” for saving an Israeli soldier’s life on Oct. 7. Tsagi gave lifesaving first aid to an IDF officer shot by Hamas in Sderot, then stayed with him for several hours until he finally reached hospital.

Eran Smilansky was a member of Kibbutz Nir Oz’s emergency squad. On Oct 7, he eliminated eight Hamas terrorists who had stormed his home. He then saved his father and his two daughters at his father’s home that the terrorists had tried to burn down with his family inside.