Operation Northern Points
During the last
month, as Israel has found itself fighting on
two fronts and struggling to meet the needs of
over 400,000 refugees who have fled the north
and constant katyusha rocket attacks, some brave
volunteers and a generous donation has resulted
in the creation of a flow of support and care
packages for thousands of soldiers who were
urgently called to defend Israel’s northern
communities.
The plan,
called Operation Northern Points,
is a joint effort of the Moskowitz family of
Miami Beach, Florida and a team of dedicated
individuals who drive north with vans packed
with basic essentials. Risking much, these
volunteers meet units about to enter Lebanon and
ask their help in delivering these much-needed
supplies even further northward to those on the
front.
Not even letting a
fast day stop the volunteers, at times as many
as three vans have made the long and arduous
trip to the very northern-most points of the
Israeli-Lebanese border to meet with the
soldiers just about go into battle.
To help the
citizens in the north, who suffer not only from
the incessant katyusha attacks, but also the
enormous financial burden of having lost the
crucial summer tourist season, some of the vans
drive north partially empty. Once in places such
as Kiryat Shemona, particularly hard hit by the
rocket attacks, they spend thousands of dollars
packing the vans to their limit with much
appreciated personal hygiene products, snacks,
and basics such as flashlights, batteries, soaps
and toothpaste.
Many times the
volunteers have had to take shelter themselves
and listen to the air raid sirens. At one point,
over 25 katyusha rockets rained down around them
while they took shelter in a mall in Kiryat
Shemona. Only after the incoming rocket attacks
finished were they able to continue their
 important
task and drive further north, beyond the last
civilian, to achieve their goal of reaching the
soldiers most in need of the supplies they
carry. Many of the soldiers were called to the
front with little time to prepare and some
thought they would only be gone a few days. In
all cases, these essential supplies go a long
way in helping make them more comfortable while
they focus on their critical goals.
With smiles and
hugs, the volunteers explain what they have
brought, unload the supplies, spend some time
with the boys and then, sadly, take their leave,
hoping they will return soon and find the
soldiers healthy and safe.
One of the
volunteers, Gedalyah Meyers, said “It is
becoming more dangerous to travel each day, yet
we keep getting more volunteer drivers because
we all know how important this operation is.“
Uriel Fisch of
Maaleh Adumim, who has traveled several times,
spoke of the need to expand the operation, “The
soldiers are so happy to see us, to thank us for
what we have brought to them and to know that
there are so many people, here in Israel and
abroad who are worrying about them and what they
need. Keep the money coming. We guarantee we
will spend it quickly!”
To date, having
made almost daily trips, the volunteers have
delivered over 1,200 tubes of toothpaste, over
200 containers of mosquito repellent, 700 cans
of deodorant, 540 containers of shampoo, 1,500
packages of moistened disposal wipes, and more
than 1,000 packages of Q-tips. Especially
appreciated were over 2,500 pairs of underwear,
3,300 pairs of socks, 1,400 undershirts, and
even 85 decks of playing cards. The items in
each van are varied and often include much-loved
snacks, cans of soda and fresh bread and more
than 2,500 packages of potato chips.
Operation Northern
Points was made possible by the initial donation
of the Irving Moskowitz family who wrote that,
“Our hearts and souls are with you” and looked
to find a way to help the soldiers who daily
risk their lives to defend Israel. Joining with
Nachalat Yehuda of Maaleh Adumim was a natural
and logical step in making this plan a reality.
Nachalat Yehuda, founded in 1996, is a community
that focuses on its youth with many serving at
this time in the army.
Most gratifying
was the response “in
the field.” After thanking the various teams for
risking so much to deliver the snacks and
personal items that they had requested on
previous trips, the soldiers often talk about
the missions they have gone on and, if possible,
other items they still could use up there.
As Nachalat Yehuda, with the kind assistance of
the Moskowitz family, continues to gather
supplies and organize teams to go to the front,
the community is asking for further assistance
to expand Operation Northern Points. If you’d
like more information, or are willing to donate,
please contact
leon@nachalatyehuda.com.
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