September 19, 2003

An Intensive Campaign for Future Sales Is Under Way:
Financial Assistance Raised by Sale of OU Prayer Cards Distributed to IDF Soldiers in Need Prior to Rosh Hashanah

A first-time Orthodox Union program will enhance the observance of the upcoming chagim - Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot - for many Israel Defense Forces soldiers in difficult economic circumstances who will be the recipients of special gift certificates raised by the sale of wallet-sized tefilla (prayer) cards produced by the OU. The cards, which were introduced to the public in January of this year, feature a full color photo of soldiers in an emotional embrace at the Western Wall on one side, and the text in Hebrew or English of the MiSheberach Lema’an Hachayal – the prayer for the Israel Defense Forces – on the other. They have been purchased by thousands of individuals at $1 apiece in the United States, Canada and other countries.

“When the Chair of this special OU Israel Task Force project, Howard Rhine, conceived the idea late last year of producing these cards for sale, it became clear that there was a double opportunity here – both to pray daily for the welfare of the men and women who are defending Israel and its people, and at the same time to relieve the financial distress experienced by many of these soldiers and their families,” declared OU President Harvey Blitz.

Indeed, explained Rabbi Major Yedidya Atlas, the IDF Rabbinate Liaison Officer to the Diaspora, “We are dealing with cases where some soldiers have no decent clothing to wear when off duty. We deal with cases where some soldiers stay on base rather than go home for a free weekend because there is insufficient food to eat at home. We are dealing with cases where soldiers are given days off from military duties to work and earn money to pay for food, clothing and school books for little brothers and sisters, and to pay rent and utility bills for unemployed parents or single parents who have to choose between paying for subsistence food, rent or electricity.”

Last week a substantial check was sent by the OU to the American Friends of the IDF Rabbinate to initiate a distribution process which will be overseen by the respective base commanders, welfare officers and base chaplains. In the first phase of the program, six brigades have been identified to be recipients of this aid, according to Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka, OU Executive Director of Programming. “These brigades are those who have seen some of the most active duty as a result of the ongoing war and subsequent security operations,” Rabbi Krupka said.

“I am pleased with the sale of the tefilla cards thus far, but we are just at the beginning of what I hope will be an ongoing program,” said Mr. Rhine. “Although financial assistance will be made available to many IDF personnel, their plight will not be altered over the long haul. Through this tefilla card program we hope to sensitize the broader Jewish community in Israel and the Diaspora to pray for the welfare of the IDF soldiers as well as to help provide for those of them in need.”

“Then, once the fall holidays are over, we must look down the road to future Yom Tovim and the substantial expenses associated with their proper observance,” Mr. Rhine said, adding that sales must begin immediately with these holidays in mind. He noted that large-size versions of the cards, 8 1/2” x 11,” are also available for hanging in sukkahs, at a cost of $5.

“The card is now available in OU shuls and Jewish schools nationwide and everyone there, as well as individuals, should pray daily for the welfare of our soldiers,” Mr. Rhine declared. He called on OU synagogues both to add the recitation of the prayer to their religious services if they have not already done so, as well as to promote the sale of the cards in their congregations and in nearby Jewish schools and institutions. “The entire community should become involved with the sale of the cards because the entire community owes a huge debt of gratitude to the IDF and its soldiers,” Mr. Rhine declared.

The funds are deeply appreciated, Brigadier General Rabbi Yisrael Weiss, Chief Military Chaplain of the IDF, told Mr. Blitz, Mr. Rhine, and OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb. “The OU’s dual program of educating Diaspora Jews to pray daily for our soldiers – ‘our’ as in the soldiers of the Jewish People – and to contribute materially to strengthen and encourage many of those same soldiers, is one more proof that we are a united Nation, in that unity is our strength, and in that strength we shall truly merit the Almighty’s blessing.”

“Tens of thousands of these cards have been purchased to this date. However, there are so many people out there who have yet to participate in this far-reaching program,” Mr. Rhine said. “I urge those who have not already done so to become involved immediately, and those who have participated to continue with their excellent work. In addition, widespread daily recitation of the prayer will surely serve as an impetus to a successful campaign to sell more cards.”

Mr. Rhine called as well for widespread sale of the card in Israel and the recitation of the prayer there on a daily basis as well.

To order the cards, contact Elisheva Wallace at wallacee@ou.org; or at 212-613-8226.

The Orthodox Union, now in its second century of service to the Jewish community of North America and beyond, is a world leader in community and synagogue services, adult education, youth work through NCSY, political action through the IPA, and advocacy for persons with disabilities through Yachad and Our Way. Its kosher supervision label, the , is the world’s most recognized kosher symbol and can be found on over 275,000 products manufactured in 68 countries around the globe.

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