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Photo: Galit Kosovsky
IDF Training Base One
Photo: Galit Kosovsky

Funds raise money for Orthodox soldiers

Libi, Lahav hope to raise enough money for new synagogue on IDF officers' training base, as well as to purchase 13 new Torah scrolls for various IDF units

Many are the IDF officer training cadets that don a kippah (skullcap) along with their military garb—an immense source of pride among Israel’s orthodox community.

 

Now orthodox soldiers can boast another quiet achievement, as the Libi Fund for Strengthening Israel's Defense holds a special fundraiser for orthodox soldiers.

 

The fundraiser is set to be held later on this week, and its chief goal is to raise funds for a new synagogue on IDF Training Base One (Bahad Echad), as well as to purchase 13 new Torah scrolls for various IDF units.

 

The current synagogue at Training Base One was first erected in 1970, and is simply too small to deal with a new influx of religious officer training cadets. The Libi fundraiser strives to raise enough funds to construct a new synagogue on base, whose flame-like glass and concrete structure is to echo the biblical story of the burning bush.

 

'We can raise a great deal more'

President of the Lahav Foundation (aimed at strengthening Jewish identity in the IDF), and former senior official in the Military Rabbinate, Pini Isaac, notes that “over 50% of the cadets at training Base One are orthodox, and the synagogue that was constructed more than 30 years ago is too small for them all. Moreover, there is also a marked shortage of Torah scrolls among IDF units. Soldiers within a single unit are often dispersed in different outposts or training facilities, and often one Torah scroll is just not enough for them.”

 

Isaac also noted that the need for private donations for observant soldiers is dire indeed. “I don’t need to point out how vast the Israeli defense budget is, but most of it is geared towards other needs,” he said.

 

The upcoming fundraiser might very well help in that respect. The Libi and the Lahav foundations have already started off their fundraiser on the right foot with a notable donation. “We received a major contribution from a Jewish-American businessman, and hopefully we can raise a great deal more by Thursday,” said Issac.

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.23.07, 14:31
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