Bring some warmth into a cold winter weekend by participating in the Ninth Annual Food and Wine Experience on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Eatontown Hotel in Eastontown, New Jersey in support of Yashar LaChayal (Straight to the Soldier). In addition to a sumptuous buffet dinner catered by Glatt Star Caterers and featuring entertainment from Avraham Rosenblum and his band, there will be a wine tasting of 24 distinctive wines (and available for order), and raffle prizes of four different prize packages featuring wines donated by Royal Wine Corp.
Rosenblum’s music career has seen him befriend music legend Tom Petty, join a band with Sylvester Stallone’s brother. and co-found the Diaspora Yeshiva Band that infused rock with bluegrass music and Jewish lyrics.
This year’s theme, “Rock for the Chayalim” will be a memorable evening of gourmet food, fun and an opportunity to do some mitzvot. “Supporting our brave chayalim as well as the whole country of Israel is so important at this critical time in our history” said Jack Silverman, president of Friends of Yashar LaChayal, “I am humbled to be part of this event We believe we’ve put together a great program mixing prayers for the chayalim and hostages, hearing from parents of chayalim who are either a lone soldier or one who was called back for miluim duty, a presentation of how Yashar LaChayal has responded during the war, and some music to uplift our spirits by the great Avraham Rosenblum.”
This is the 18th year the dynamic committee of Silverman, along with co-chairs Jack Genee, PJ Smith and Andy Gross, have worked together to raise funds to support IDF soldiers through Yashar LeChayal, making this their “chai anniversary” of fundraising and the ninth annual food and wine experience. From their modest inception in 2006 during the Second Lebanon War, Yashar LaChayal has advanced from supporting soldiers with much-needed toiletries, clothing and transportation to creating and maintaining wide range of projects that provide various forms of economic and emotional support to active duty soldiers, those injured in the line of duty, and bereaved family members of those who have fallen in Israel’s defense.
One of the most popular programs, Warm Corners, are shelters for soldiers placed at the entrance to communities in dangerous regions. These Warm Corners have kitchens stocked with food and drinks for the benefit of combat soldiers on patrol in the area. In addition, there are charging stations for phones that may not have been charged in a while due to long periods away from base, a table and chairs, and last but not least, couches for the soldiers to rest and relax on. There are presently 44 Warm Corners throughout Israel, at least five of which have been built with funds raised from the East Brunswick/Edison/Highland Park communities.
According to Leon Blankrot, executive director of Yashar LaChayal, “It’s incredibly heartwarming to see the feedback we get from the soldiers and families who receive our support, especially during the course of this long-term war. Whether it is from one of the thousands of pairs of thermal underwear provided to soldiers in the north or a visit to a Warm Corner, the soldiers are so grateful. It’s amazing to see how these projects have such a massive impact on improving the lives of our soldiers who sacrifice so much to keep us safe.” Not only does Blankrot lead Yashar, but he is totally invested as he has two sons currently serving in the IDF.
Yashar LaChayal has supported dozens of injured soldiers in various ways. Various means of help have included sponsoring specialized medical treatments and therapies, purchasing laptops for hospitalized soldiers so they can return to work or school during an extended hospital stay, or providing equipment to assist soldiers during their transition to civilian life while navigating a new disability.
In the past year, Yashar LaChayal’s emergency warehouse of essential supplies sent out 1,400 orders to tens of thousands of soldiers stationed on the front lines, across the country as well as in Gaza and Lebanon.
Three levels of dinner participation are available: Kfir Brigade ($180 per person) includes the sumptuous buffet dinner, entertainment and one aerating wine pourer; Tzanchanim Paratroopers ($1,000 for two people) includes all the Kfir Brigade level as well as a bottle of wine; Sayeret Golani ($1,800 for two people) includes all the Tzanchanim Paratrooper level as well as a wine decanter. Can’t make it? Consider giving a donation.
When asked his thoughts about the Wine and Food Experience event, Silverman said, “Most important are those who attend the event or partake in our annual wine sale. They are hearing the message and taking action and stepping up. I see myself as nothing more than a shaliach delivering that message. They are the ones taking the action. So I ask those who have not signed up to do just that. It’s great to post on social media in support of Israel but it’s even more important to show up and be counted. So join us and ‘rock for the chayalim.’”
Don’t delay; reservations for the event must be made by Friday, Jan. 3, 2025 at noon. Visit helpisraelnow.org/9th-annual-experience to make reservations online. For those who would rather mail their dinner registration or make a donation,make checks payable to Helping Israel Fund and mail them to Helping Israel Fund, 39 Sullivan Way, East Brunswick, New Jersey 08816 Attn: Marty Genee. Need additional information? Send an email to [email protected].
