Oz Ve'Hadar project
The Israel Defense Forces is a strong and professional army equipped with some of the most advanced artillery and weapons systems for sea, air and ground combat in the world. What distinguishes the IDF from other armies in the world is a Torah Scroll on each base, a Torah Scroll that strengthens their fighting spirit and reminds them about what they are fighting for. Unfortunately there are many Torah Scrolls which become unfit for public use according to Jewish law because of physical conditions in the field, including dampness or storage in semi-open areas. The Institute clarified with the army the current situation of Torah Scrolls in combat units. The Institute has discovered that there are currently more than 200 Torah Scrolls which are currently invalid and are waiting to be made kosher. Each Torah Scroll must be fixed according to its particular needs, re-instated to the army unit to which it was originally dedicated and returned to service for the soldiers of the base.
Dedication Stories
In memory of the murdered
Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Sha'er and Naftali Frenkel
A Torah scroll was dedicated by the Oz Ve'Hadar project to the main synagogue at Palmachim Air Force Base in memory of the three murdered young men: Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Sha'er and Naftali Frankel, and the four year old boy, Daniel Tragerman, who was killed by a rocket in the Tzuk Eitan operation.
The parent’s of the martyred Jewish boys participated, as well as many soldiers of the Air Force Base. Family and friends came to give honor to their memory by presenting this beautiful Torah scroll for the use of our beloved soldiers.
Eliana Starkman
Englwood, NJ
A Torah scroll was presented to the Home Front Forces’ base in Ramla, as an expression of Eliana’s deep appreciation to God for all the goodness He has blessed her. Family and friends arrived especially to participate with Eliana in this very moving ceremony.
The stormy weather provided the feeling that even the heavens were participating in her joy.
Eliana Starkman
Englwood, NJ
A Torah scroll was presented to the IDF base in Nes-Ziona, in honor of Ayelet’s Bat Mitzvah. The soldiers surprised Ayelet with a bouquet of flowers and balloons, and danced with her in great joy.
Ayelet's mother said, "This is the most exciting thing we could have done in honor of Ayelet’s Bat Mitzvah"
Gelbart Family
NY, NY
The Gelbart family from New York dedicated a Torah to an IDF naval base in honor of celebration the 50th wedding anniversary of their parents.
family and friends Together with soldiers from the base danced and brought the Torah into the base synagogue.
D. Family
USA
The Torah was donated by a family that wanted to perpetuate the family that perished in the Holocaust.
The Torah was put into the IDF New Training Campus In The Name Of Ariel Sharon in the south of the country and will serve the thousands of soldiers who will serve at that base.
In memory of Sean Carameli
Brooklyn, NY
Four families from Brooklyn, New York, dedicated a Torah scroll to the memory of the late Shawn Carmeli, a loan soldier who was killed in Operation Tzuk Eitan (summer 2014, Gaza Strip). Shawn's parents arrived at the base and together with all the soldiers brought the Torah to the only synagogue on the base that now has the The first book of the Torah.
The Rambam Yeshiva (Lawrence, New York) heard about this Torah scroll in memory of Shawn, and in an emotional meeting with his sister, decided to join the project and dedicate another Torah scroll to the army bases.