This year’s campaign to send Mishloach Manot packages to IDF soldiers for Purim was the most successful ever. Donors in Israel and the US gave more than NIS 32,000/more than $8,000.
The following letter was sent to the offices of OU Israel from one of the soldiers who received a package:
My name is Yossi Salomon. I am an IDF solider serving in an elite commando unit called Duchifat. We just concluded a few months of securing the Gush Etzion area [south of Yerushalayim] and have moved to the Golan Heights.
I am a Lone Soldier. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and left my family and friends in order to become a soldier in Israel and defend the State of Israel.
I wanted to thank you and OU Israel’s Mashiv Haruach project from the bottom of my heart for the beautiful Mishloach Manot that was distributed to so many soldiers for Purim.
It warms my heart to know that people in Israel and abroad — people I never met — care about me, and about all of the IDF’s dedicated soldiers. This is extremely important to us.
My friends and I will continue securing the borders of Israel day and night, so that you can go on with your everyday life as normal.
ה’ עוז לעמו ייתן, ה’ יברך את עמו בשלום
Hashem will give strength to His people. Hashem will bless his people with peace.
Thank you for making our Purim special — and very sameach [happy]!!!
Yossi