Going West for the North
August 08, 2006
Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb's Visit to IsraelView Makom BaLev Photos
I spent time this morning at the Israel Center, talking to employees. I met with Yedidia Atlas who is in the military chaplaincy and who raises funds for soldiers' needs. We have worked with him in the past especially with our chol hamoed program for soldiers. He needs funds for tzitzit, which must be attached to khaki colored begadim. Also, for sukkot for the many soldiers who will be wanting them. Now is not too soon to purchase appropriate sukkot for the field. He also has a fund for poor soldiers who cannot afford some of the handy equipment or travel expenses that other soldiers can afford. We will be trying to help him in various ways.
Later, Menachem Persoff escorted me to a farm near Rechovot where we met Yisrael Goren and a large group of Makom Balev campers. These are kids from various neighborhoods who would be on the streets if not for this camp. They included groups from Bat Yam, Ethiopans from Ramle, kids from Sderot. A group from Nahariya was supposed to have joined us but their parents were afraid to let them leave the bomb shelters. This group of boys and girls were picking, tomatoes, one of which I tasted. Nothing like peirot haaretz (fruits of the land) straight from the earth.
The other group, this one picking onions, was about 30 boys from the NCSY kollel. They were having a grand time. All the vegetables were boxed and shipped to Northern communities which have difficulty accessing food. By the way, I didn't taste the onion, but did take one back with me for a shabbos “segulah”.
Watching the makom balev kids enjoy their experience and hearing of there other activities, which include learning Torah and Shabbatonim, was impressive. The work we do is incredibly important and worth observing in person. The kollel kids are having a great summer learning at a very advanced level, and enjoying the chesed activites such as today's farm visit.
View Makom BaLev Photos
