Following what was expected to be a most successful Nahal Haredi Shabbat in Passaic on October 28 (see article in October 19 issue), Teaneck will be hosting its own tribute to the chayalim of Nahal Haredi. Chayah and Yoel Fuld will graciously open their home for a festive Melave Malka/parlor meeting on Motzei Shabbat, November 4, in gratitude to and in support of Nahal Haredi (aka Netzach Yehuda). As proud parents of their son Shaya who recently completed his IDF service with the rank of commander, the Fulds wish to show their support to Nahal Haredi and the special services it provides to religious soldiers.
Shaya Fuld, 23, the third son of the Fuld family, made aliyah at age 20 at the beginning of his third gap year at Netiv Aryeh. Seven of his classmates at the yeshiva enlisted along with him. When drafted into the IDF, he opted to be placed into a Nahal Haredi unit. He served in Kfir, an infantry battalion, for two and a half years, completing his service with the rank of commander. The all-male unit adhered to the highest kashrut standards and allowed him and his fellow soldiers ample time to daven daily and participate in the shiurim offered by the Nahal Haredi rebbeim. During his time in Nahal Haredi, Fuld befriended many of the lone soldiers from haredi backgrounds As lone soldiers, they were provided with living accommodations for Shabbat and chagim and other times when they were off their base.
Currently living in Nachlaot with other young men who recently completed their service, Fuld serves as a madrich (counselor) at Netiv Aryeh and will begin his studies at Machon Lev. A source of great pride to his family and community, Fuld is grateful to Nahal Haredi for helping him successfully “navigate the system.”
In reaching out to the community on behalf of Nahal Haredi, the Fulds explained, “Funds collected will allow Nahal Haredi to continue all the amazing services they provide, which include rabbinic mentoring, lone soldier housing, veterans services, psychological counseling, wedding assistance, rooms for smachot, as well as many other support services for all of their soldiers. It will also help defray the cost of the rabbinic mentors who visit the 20+ bases throughout the country daily. The rabbis of Netzach Yehuda come to validate their decision to enlist, encourage and provide chizuk to the soldiers, learn with them and provide ongoing advice and counseling.”
On a personal level, the Fulds urged, “We who live outside the borders of Israel benefit enormously from the great sacrifice of the soldiers and their families. We travel at will, send our children there for Torah study, and take for granted the constant and ongoing safety we feel under the protection of the IDF. We would be grateful if you would join us at our home to support other brave soldiers, like our son Shaya, whose idealism pushed them to leave their families and volunteer to serve in the IDF.”
The Melave Malka will feature a proud Haredi boger (veteran) who will speak about the impact of Nahal Haredi on his life during and after his service. In addition, a leading Nahal Haredi rav will inspire the crowd.
The program will take place at the Fuld home, 1500 River Road, Teaneck, on Saturday night, November 4, at 8:45 p.m.
To learn about more opportunities to lend financial support to Nahal Haredi, please contact Evelyn Weinberger, stateside volunteer liaison, at [email protected] or visit www.nahalharedi.org or [email protected].
By Pearl Markovitz
