Mizrachi Chicago Pina Chama in Itamar Dedication and Hachnasat Sefer Torah in the Shomron - July 30, 2023
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Thank you to everyone who made these two extraordinary projects possible:
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Chayalim Bodedim from the Chicago area
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Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama
Directly supporting IDF soldiers by the thousands!
Directly supporting IDF soldiers by the thousands!
The building of the
Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar was made possible by donations from scores of donors, including a generous grant from Kenny and Rana Cooper - the Judith Marks Trust, to whom we express our heartfelt Hakarat HaTov.
Maintenance costs for the month of
Iyar 5785
have been sponsored
in memory of
Sarah bat Yaakov Dov Ber v’Henya, z”l
by her family
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by Michelle and Randy Trubnick
to commemorate the yahrzeit on 8 Sivan of
Matana David
מתנה שלמה בן דאוד, ז"ל
The Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar
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Chicago has always been known as among the most Zionist communities outside of Israel, and we are so excited to partner with Yashar LaChayal and share in a corner of Israel by helping our Nation’s soldiers.
PAST MIZRACHI RZC CHAYAL BODED INTERVIEWS
October 6, 2021 UPDATE
Directly supporting IDF soldiers by the thousands!
Since it became operational last summer, the Mizrachi Chicago Pina Chama, dedicated in honor of Chayalim Bodedim from the Chicago area, has become a focal point for the IDF soldiers and the community of Itamar.
Below is a recent letter from Yashar LaChayal with whom we are proud to partner in the Mizrachi Chicago Pina Chama and who state that "The Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar has become a model for all of our other pinot."
Over the past year, the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar has been very busy. The IDF uses the Pina as one of the main locations in the region for gatherings and meetings for the soldiers and officers serving in the area.
This past year over 15,000 soldiers who were on patrol stopped by the Pina to have coffee and refresh before continuing on their patrols.
Due to corona, the IDF decided to host many events at the Pina. It has a comfortable outdoor space which allows the IDF to host large events. An additional 5,000 soldiers attended conferences and educational days at the Pina in Itamar.
The Pina Chama is also located in a very strategic location. On any given night, hundreds of Special Forces came to the Pina to prepare for their missions in the neighboring villages.
Units that served in the area:
1) Golani Brigade
2) Kfir Brigade- Nachshon Battalion
3) Kfir Brigade- Duchifat Battalion
4) 5 different Reserve Battalions
5) Border Police
Food distributed:
1) 500 bags of coffee
2) 200 boxes of tea
3) 600 bottles of cold drinks
4) 500 packs of cakes and cookies
In addition to the food we distributed, volunteers from the Itamar community brought food for the soldiers throughout the week especially on Friday for Shabbat.
We would like to say thank you for all your support. The Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar has become a model for all of our other pinot.
We look forward to continue working with the Chicago Mizrachi community in helping to provide for the IDF soldiers who sacrifice so much to protect the Jewish people.
YASHAR LACHAYAL
Directly supporting IDF soldiers by the thousands!
Since it became operational last summer, the Mizrachi Chicago Pina Chama, dedicated in honor of Chayalim Bodedim from the Chicago area, has become a focal point for the IDF soldiers and the community of Itamar.
Below is a recent letter from Yashar LaChayal with whom we are proud to partner in the Mizrachi Chicago Pina Chama and who state that "The Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar has become a model for all of our other pinot."
Over the past year, the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar has been very busy. The IDF uses the Pina as one of the main locations in the region for gatherings and meetings for the soldiers and officers serving in the area.
This past year over 15,000 soldiers who were on patrol stopped by the Pina to have coffee and refresh before continuing on their patrols.
Due to corona, the IDF decided to host many events at the Pina. It has a comfortable outdoor space which allows the IDF to host large events. An additional 5,000 soldiers attended conferences and educational days at the Pina in Itamar.
The Pina Chama is also located in a very strategic location. On any given night, hundreds of Special Forces came to the Pina to prepare for their missions in the neighboring villages.
Units that served in the area:
1) Golani Brigade
2) Kfir Brigade- Nachshon Battalion
3) Kfir Brigade- Duchifat Battalion
4) 5 different Reserve Battalions
5) Border Police
Food distributed:
1) 500 bags of coffee
2) 200 boxes of tea
3) 600 bottles of cold drinks
4) 500 packs of cakes and cookies
In addition to the food we distributed, volunteers from the Itamar community brought food for the soldiers throughout the week especially on Friday for Shabbat.
We would like to say thank you for all your support. The Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar has become a model for all of our other pinot.
We look forward to continue working with the Chicago Mizrachi community in helping to provide for the IDF soldiers who sacrifice so much to protect the Jewish people.
YASHAR LACHAYAL
At an appropriate time after the coronavirus restrictions have been removed, we will hold the official “Chanukat HaPina” attended by Itamar residents, former and visiting Chicagoans, dignitaries and representatives from the USA and Israel, and of course, past and present Chayalim. At this grand event, we will unveil the official plaque(s) and signage that will be a permanent part of the Pina Chama.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Strategic location - Itamar, a religious community in the Shomron (population 1238) boasts an educational system which includes a kindergarten, an elementary school for boys and girls, and several institutions of secondary education and higher learning which attract Jewish students from all over the country to come study, often before enlisting.
Strategic location - Itamar, a religious community in the Shomron (population 1238) boasts an educational system which includes a kindergarten, an elementary school for boys and girls, and several institutions of secondary education and higher learning which attract Jewish students from all over the country to come study, often before enlisting.
Itamar is in one of the Shomron’s most sensitive and tense regions. The community is five kilometers southeast of Shechem (Nablus) and close to many other Palestinian villages. There is an army presence in the area, as well as a large base nearby and other small outposts spread around. Unfortunately, residents of Itamar have experienced more than their share of terrorist attacks.
The Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama sits at a strategic location next to the security fence in the back of the community, along the patrol route that soldiers routinely use.
The Pina Chama is between the entire community of Itamar and the nearby Arab village of Awarta. On March 11, 2011, two terrorists from Awarta crossed into Itamar through the valley behind the community, made their way up the side of the hill, and entered the home of the Fogel Family, where they murdered 5 members of the family, including an infant, in their beds.
The two terrorists entered Itamar by passing over the exact area that is now being prepared for the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama. Recently, another attempted infiltration was thwarted a few meters from the same area.
We built the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama, and at this specific location, to:
The Pina Chama is between the entire community of Itamar and the nearby Arab village of Awarta. On March 11, 2011, two terrorists from Awarta crossed into Itamar through the valley behind the community, made their way up the side of the hill, and entered the home of the Fogel Family, where they murdered 5 members of the family, including an infant, in their beds.
The two terrorists entered Itamar by passing over the exact area that is now being prepared for the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama. Recently, another attempted infiltration was thwarted a few meters from the same area.
We built the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama, and at this specific location, to:
- 1. Deter – knowing that the soldiers have a permanent position in this spot from where they can look down on the valley will deter potential terrorists from the neighboring village.
- 2. Secure – soldiers patrol around the security fence several times a day. Having a Pina Chama at the back entrance to the community will add another layer of security to the already existing system and encourage patrolling soldiers to spend a little more time in this area that might otherwise be neglected. This will contribute to the residents of Itamar feeling safer and more protected.
- 3. Relax – This location provides a spectacular view of the hills and valleys surrounding the community, enhancing resting soldiers’ feeling of refreshing both their bodies and souls. Due to being slightly farther away from the center of the community, there is more space and the grounds are largely untouched, leaving unspoiled the beautiful surroundings.
- 4. Connect –The Pina Chama will be wonderful for community activities with the soldiers, such as Chanukiot lightings, Yom HaAtzmaut barbeques, Yom Tov programs and more! One highly-motivated family in the community has volunteered to take care of the Pina Chama, assuring cleanliness and being well stocked with coffee and treats for the brave young men and women who protect them day and night. The family will help Yashar LaChayal to coordinate with Mizrachi RZC in providing ongoing maintenance support. The community is excited to plan events for the soldiers and to form a stronger connection with those protecting them.
- 5. Memorialize – the home of the Fogel family can be seen from this location. The Pina Chama will serve as a reminder of the importance of security and awareness, as well as the need for prayer that nothing of the sort will ever happen again.
- 6. Utilize – the Pina Chama will be used several times each day by the routine patrol units who drive along the security fence. In recent weeks, patrolling soldiers have been very excited to hear about the upcoming construction. The Pina Chama will mostly be used by patrols of 3-6 soldiers who usually have up to 10 minutes to make coffee, have a snack, cool off, and then continue on their patrol.
- 7. Honor – A major motivation for Mizrachi - Religious Zionists of Chicago to undertake the building and maintaining a Pina Chama is to honor their own, amazing Chayalim Bodedim – Lone Soldiers originally from the Chicago area. These exceptional men and women have extended themselves to the maximum of their comfort zone and beyond, to serve in the IDF. By establishing this Pina Chama, offering shelter and sustenance for Chayalim, we provide them with some Menuchat HaNefesh and Menuchat HaGuf just as they, and their comrades, provide the same for the residents of Itamar and all of Klal Yisrael.
Structure - The Pina Chama, with its strong panel boarding shell will stand strong against the harsh weather conditions of the Shomron – brutal summer sun, extreme winds, and winter’s heavy rains. The Pina Chama is fully equipped with windows, a kitchenette, air conditioning, ceramic flooring, along with tables and seating.
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Make no small plans - As the Pina Chama is endowed by Mizrachi - Religious Zionists of Chicago, it was decided to “make no small plans”. Consequently, additional donations were secured to create a beautiful outdoor pergola over a large landscaped patio space to make this already pastoral area look like a pit-stop in paradise. The soldiers can relax on benches and picnic tables beneath the shade while enjoying the magnificent view of rolling green hills and the clear blue skies of the Shomron. A remarkably gorgeous venue for the IDF’s soldiers and Itamar’s citizens. |
Official Dedication Event - At an appropriate time after the coronavirus restrictions have been removed, we will hold the official “Chanukat HaPina” attended by Itamar residents, former and visiting Chicagoans, dignitaries and representatives from the USA and Israel, and of course, past and present Chayalim. At this grand event, we will unveil the official plaque(s) and signage that would be a permanent part of the Pina Chama.
Mizrachi - Religious Zionists of Chicago, thanks all our supporters and donors whose contributions have turned this dream into a reality. We express our appreciation for the efforts, expertise and talents of our partners at Yashar LaChayal, its Executive Director Leon Blankrot and Program Coordinator Nir Sinay, for their expertise, planning and implementation of this Pina Chama and all their other very worthwhile projects on behalf of the soldiers of the IDF.
We thank HaShem Yitborach for the profound privilege of creating the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama and feel blessed to be able to share in this extraordinary mitzvah.
Mizrachi - Religious Zionists of Chicago, thanks all our supporters and donors whose contributions have turned this dream into a reality. We express our appreciation for the efforts, expertise and talents of our partners at Yashar LaChayal, its Executive Director Leon Blankrot and Program Coordinator Nir Sinay, for their expertise, planning and implementation of this Pina Chama and all their other very worthwhile projects on behalf of the soldiers of the IDF.
We thank HaShem Yitborach for the profound privilege of creating the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama and feel blessed to be able to share in this extraordinary mitzvah.