Following the horrific attack that took place on her border on October 7, Israel has answered with a full military response. Thousands of soldiers now stand on the front lines of Gaza, while others have entered the land itself and risk their lives daily as they work to root out members of Hamas. Many are lone soldiers, men and women who have traveled sometimes across the world to defend Israel from her enemies, and are thus without the immediate support of close family members. They face not only the physical dangers of the battlefield, but also the emotional toll of being far away from their homes and loved ones.
Lev LaChayal aims to support these soldiers. It is an organization that specializes in providing assistance to lone soldiers serving in the IDF. This includes practical support such as meals and essential supplies, as well as emotional and social support to help these soldiers navigate the challenges they face. Many lone soldiers don’t have family in Israel to stay with during Shabbat, and so Lev LaChayal helps them with accommodations.
A little more than a month ago, Rachel Joffe was walking the streets of Livingston when she noticed a store selling sweatshirts. The store was using the proceeds as donations to Friends of the IDF, and Joffe decided to pick one up for herself. She showed it to her sister, Yonna Rosenberg, who proposed the idea of creating their own unique designs to raise money for Lev LaChayal.
“I’d heard about Lev LaChayal and the work they do, and so they were an easy pick for our fundraiser,” Joffe shared with The Jewish Link. “By raising money for them, we’re helping soldiers who really need it.”
Rosenberg suggested incorporating schools into the campaign, specifically JKHA/RKYHS, as the school, which is local to the women, has many alumni who are lone soldiers. She thought the campaign would both raise funds and promote school spirit. The sisters then brought in Emily Kaufman, who is a teacher at Kushner, to help create a unique design.
“Emily is an incredibly talented artist,” Rosenberg said. “When we got in touch with her, she was very eager to help us out. The design she created was something special, and she deserves a chunk of the credit for the success we’ve had.”
Through their efforts, the sisters and Kaufman managed to sell 140 sweatshirts, raising over $1,500 for Lev LaChayal. No one was more surprised than the three of them. They’d only expected to sell maybe 50.
“It was incredible how much support we received,” Joffe said. “I had people come up to me asking to buy a sweatshirt because their son is fighting in Gaza, or because their friend has a kid who was called in to join the efforts. It shows the unifying spirit of the Jewish people, and how we all want to support our soldiers in whatever way we can.”
Like the people buying the sweatshirts, the three-member creative team knows soldiers on the front lines in Gaza. Though they worry each day for them, they are hopeful for their safe return home.
“There are no words to describe what’s been going on in Gaza,” Rosenberg said. “Our soldiers are our heroes, and every small effort we make to support them is a step towards ensuring they come back to their families unharmed. That’s what keeps us going with this campaign.”
Joffe echoed her sister, adding her own request.
“Lev LaChayal needs our support now more than ever,” Joffe added. “Soldiers need gloves, food, anything that can help them through the tough conditions they face. They’re risking everything for Israel’s safety, and we can’t stand idly by. Things like this campaign show that they’re not alone. By coming together as a community and supporting organizations like Lev LaChayal, we can make a big difference.”
If you would like to learn more about Lev LaChayal, you can do so by visiting their website, https://levlachayal.org/
If you are interested in ordering a sweatshirt, contact Kaufman at 917-682-0946 or [email protected], or visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/princessofplexi or on Instagram at Princessofplexi.
