In 2005, “IDF Shabbat” was designated as a Shabbat to be marked close to Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut by Jonny Ben David, a member of Bnai Yeshurun, to pay honor to his son’s service as a lone soldier. In 2012, the Shabbat was renamed the “Ilan Tokayer Shabbat Chayal” by Reva and Aaron Tokayer of Teaneck to honor the memory of their son Ilan Tokayer, z”l. who had proudly served in the IDF as a lone soldier, but passed away after his service. Currently, many local shuls organize around this designated Shabbat on which they host a festive kiddush and donate funds to an organization that is connected to IDF soldiers and their families. Representatives of the selected tzedakah often join in the Shabbat and address the congregations about the work of their organization.
On May 18, the Shabbat of Parshat Behar, seven congregations in the South of Route 4 section of Teaneck have joined together to mark Shabbat Chayal including Congregation Beth Aaron, Young Israel of Teaneck, Teaneck Jewish Center, Congregation Ohr Saadya, Congregation Arzei Darom, Congregation Netivot Shalom and Congregation Shaare Tefilla. In addition to honoring the memory of Ilan Tokayer, Congregation Beth Aaron will be honoring the recent passing Al Kidush Hashem of Zecharia Haber, HY”D, beloved son-in-law of Nancy and Dennis Friedman, longtime members of Congregation Beth Aaron.
The congregations have selected an organization named Tzalash as the recipient of their contributions this year as an excellent provider of religious and emotional support to thousands of soldiers and their families. The word “Tzalash” is understood to mean a “badge of honor,” but as an acronym for the mission of this outstanding organization it represents “Tzava le-Shem Shamayim,” an army for the sake of heaven.
Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb has served as the managing director of Tzalash since 2021. After seeing firsthand the incredible support provided to his son during his service in the Kfir Brigade of the IDF, Rabbi Gottlieb chose to join the Tzalash family. He balances his time as the rabbi of the growing community of Kehillat HaEla in Ramat Beit Shemesh and his lecturing at Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush) with his work for Tzalash. He has also authored two volumes of a planned five-volume series of essays on the weekly Torah portion, which is distributed to soldiers throughout the IDF. Rabbi Gottlieb received semicha from Yeshiva University, where he was a member of the prestigious Wexner Kollel Elyon. Before making aliyah in 2010, he served as the rabbi of Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Baltimore.
In speaking to Rabbi Gottlieb about the contributions of Tzalash, it became clear that the scope and diversity of its projects is huge and incredibly effective in helping keep the religious soldier focused and committed during his or her service. Rabbi Gottlieb estimates that during the course of a year, 10,000 soldiers and their families are impacted by Tzalash through their many diversified services.
Before their drafting into the IDF, Tzalash visits yeshivot across the country to provide lectures and shiurim to 11th- and 12th-graders, preparing them for dealing with the challenges that present themselves during army service. During their service, Tzalash representatives visit bases weekly to provide physical treats as well as words of chizuk. Learning sessions are arranged to coincide with free time so that the religious soldier stays connected to Torah learning.
Tzalash has organized all-day Torah gatherings at venues such as Binyinei HaUma, hosting the Chief Rabbis and different roshei yeshiva. Tzalash distributes specially designed pocket Gemaras, Mishnayot, chumashim and special volumes of divrei Torah that accompany the soldiers on the base and in the field. To date, five volumes of Rav Asher Weiss’ series “Minchas Asher” have already been distributed throughout the IDF and the sixth volume on Pesach will be delivered in time for the chag. Impressed by the work of Tzalash, the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Organization has donated 10,000 Hebrew translations of “Shemiras Ha’Lashon” to Tzalash to distribute on IDF bases.
The physical and emotional welfare of families of soldiers is a key focus of the Tzalash organization. Thus the Eshet Chayil initiative was formed, and is especially active during the current wartime, providing emotional support and programming to the wives of enlisted soldiers. Over 4,000 couples have benefitted from the services provided by Tzalash in the form of programs throughout the country offering advice, support and companionship.
Tzalash has expanded its services to lone soldiers in the form of material and emotional/spiritual support. Unique to Tzalash is the support it provides to female religious chayalot, whose numbers are growing and whose challenges during their service are unique and often unaddressed. The organization realizes this great need and has taken this task upon itself.
Tzalash endeavors to infuse every momentous event in the experiences of an IDF soldier with a religious celebration. An example is a siyum followed by a festive meal that is hosted on the day of a soldier’s Tekes Hashba’a, swearing-in ceremony, so that these occasions take on religious significance. Rabbi Gottlieb stressed that Tzalash is in no way coercive or invasive.
Rabbi Gottlieb and another representative of this impressive organization plan to be in Teaneck on Shabbat Chayal, during which they will have an opportunity to speak at the various participating shuls and share their vital work.
To find out more about the work of Tzalash and to donate, go to https://tzalash.org.
