Bringing Purim Cheer to IDF Soldiers 18 Months Into War

by Noa Amouyal – chabad.org

For more than half a century, Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries have brought the festive spirit of Purim to Israel’s defenders. This tradition has taken on new significance over the past 18 months. In the wake of the horrific Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack against the people of Israel and the months of war that have followed, Rabbi Mendy Ofen—director of Or Lachayal and Chabad-Lubavitch emissary with Tzerei Agudat Chabad Israel—and dozens of his fellow Chabad representatives are working tirelessly to ensure that IDF troops experience the joy of Purim.

“In the field, you don’t see religious or political divisions,” Ofen states. “There is an overwhelming sense of care and camaraderie among the soldiers. They are doing an incredible job fighting for the Jewish people, and we’re here to thank them and ensure they can celebrate Purim even while they’re fighting a war far from home.”

This effort is part of the much larger Purim awareness campaign. In 1971, the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—called upon people in Israel to assist the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to fulfill all of the observances of Purim. Chabad activists immediately began fanning out across the Land of Israel, bringing the joy of Purim to soldiers on large army bases in the Golan Heights and tiny installations on the Suez Canal deep on the Sinai Peninsula.

Every year, before heading out to spread Purim joy to the soldiers, Ofen and his brother don an IDF-style uniform as a Purim costume—an homage to a Purim miracle they personally experienced 25 years ago.

‘Hanging Between Life and Death’

In 2000, while delivering Purim packages with his brother Shmuel to Golani soldiers near Chevron (Hebron) and dressed up in an IDF colonel’s uniform, they were ambushed by Hamas terrorists as their car approached the Tarkumiya base.

Terrorists opened fire on the brothers in their festively decorated vehicle. Initially mistaking the impact for rocks, the Ofens quickly realized they were under attack as bullets pierced their car. Shmuel was gravely wounded with a shot to the neck, while Rabbi Ofen was hit in the shoulder, the bullet eventually shifting to obstruct his airway.

“I was conscious of hanging between life and death,” he recalled. “I prayed to G‑d, vowing that if He spared me, I would dedicate my life to helping soldiers.”

The colonel’s uniform played a crucial role in their survival. When soldiers arrived at the scene, they spotted the rank insignia on Shmuel’s borrowed shirt and, believing a senior officer had been injured, immediately called for helicopter evacuation—a decision that saved their lives.

Each Purim since that day, Ofen and his brother don IDF colonel uniforms as a reminder of their miracle and make their rounds bringing the joy of Purim to the soldiers guarding the Jewish people on the front lines.

54 Years of the Purim Awareness Campaign

The Rebbe’s effort to bring Purim festivities to the frontlines drew international attention when it first launched.

“Hasidic Jews in black hats, with beards and prayer shawls, swarmed into front-line fortifications and military camps yesterday and the day before, uncapping a thousand bottles of vodka,” The New York Times reported in 1975. “The ‘invasion’ has been ordered by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Brooklyn, spiritual leader of the Lubavitcher” Chassidic movement.

The Times reported that the Israeli Air Force provided a transport plane to fly Chassidim to the Sinai, from which they spread out via bus and ammunition carriers. “In at least one case, an armored troop carrier took 10 [Chassidim] and a reporter to a front-line observation post on the crest of a dune that could not be reached by bus.”

A similar effort was seen in the north and east, where the army ferried Chassidim to reach soldiers stationed at fortifications facing Syria and Jordan. In addition to the vodka, the Times reported that the Chassidim carried with them 50,000 mishloach manot packages. “But their instructions from the Lubavitcher rabbi were not only to convey cheer, love and warmth to the Israeli soldiers but also to get them to perform mitzvot, or good deeds.”

In the half-century since it began, the Purim campaign has expanded to reach all Jews, and today uplifts and empowers people at hospitals, nursing homes, schools and even in the streets.

Ofen has spent decades supporting IDF soldiers through numerous conflicts, but notes that the current war—now the longest war in Israel’s history—has created unprecedented needs. His team distributes festive treats, helps soldiers don tefillin and provides female soldiers with challah and Shabbat candles, all while bringing music, dance and spiritual comfort to troops under immense pressure.

“When we visit, dance, or simply sit and talk with them, their morale is lifted,” Ofen says. “I’ve never witnessed such unity before, and it is truly inspiring.”

Dovid Kaplan, a soldier who has been serving throughout the Israel-Hamas war, told Chabad.org the impact visits from Chabad representatives have on the soldiers:

“It was this past Chanukah when I was serving in the Golan Heights, and it was dark and freezing outside. Suddenly, young Chabad rabbis rolled through and brought with them menorahs and a full Chanukah party, giving us the opportunity to experience the holiday,” Kaplan says. “One of them was someone I had met previously in the United States, so there was the extra special element of seeing a familiar face. Visits like these give all soldiers a major boost; it’s incredibly uplifting.”

Spreading Joy from North to South

Ofen’s colleague in the north, Rabbi Sholom Ber Hertzel of Chabad of the Golan Heights, has a special focus on soldiers stationed in the picturesque Ramat HaGolan, where troops remain on high alert monitoring escalating tensions in Syria.

“Our preparations began weeks ago,” Hertzel says. “We’re set to distribute two truckloads of supplies, including food, generators for warmth and mishloach manot. Since Oct. 7, the need has been greater than ever, both practically numbers-wise, and in the need to spread extra inspiration and joy.”

In addition to festive packages, Hertzel’s team provides soldiers with mezuzahs, ensures troops receive food up to their kosher standard and organizes approximately 200 Megillah readings at various bases over the duration of the Purim festival.

“We aim to reach as many soldiers as possible, letting them know they are not alone,” he emphasizes.

One beneficiary of this outreach is Ari T., a lone soldier from Canada.

“I was in a rough place, constantly clashing with my commanding officer,” Ari recalls. “Rabbi Hertzel noticed something was wrong and, after some encouragement, I opened up to him. He helped bridge the gap between us, making my service much easier.”

For Ari, the Chabad rabbi’s care transformed both his military service and his understanding of Jewish values.

“Being stuck on base during wartime, it meant everything to have someone from the outside care,” he says. “It changed my perspective on what it really means to be there for others.”