Q&A: Hot Schwarma and Warm Regards to Israeli Troops

Rabbi Danny Cohen, 42, co-director of Chabad of Hebron with his wife, Batsheva, has been especially busy since “Operation Protective Edge” was launched July 8 against Hamas in Gaza. From his home in Hebron—45 miles due east of Gaza—he and his fellow Chabad emissaries have been working to assist soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces.

Born in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood in Brooklyn, N.Y., Cohen made aliyah with his parents in 1978. He grew up in Psagot, a communal Israeli settlement on the outskirts of Ramallah, serving in the IDF’s Givati brigade from 1992-95.

Cohen and his wife, who is originally from the Golan Heights, moved on shlichus to Hebron in 2002; they have six children. Another five Chabad couples serve with them in the area, at Chabad of Hebron and Chabad of Kiryat Arba. Throughout the course of the year, almost every IDF battalion is rotated into the Hebron area, and the Cohens and other emissaries develop a deep connection with many individual soldiers. Their primary focus, he says, is working with Israeli soldiers, tourists and residents—in that order.

Q: How have you been helping the wounded, specifically as a Chabad representative?

A: All week we have been visiting wounded soldiers in Soroka Hospital in Beersheva—soldiers we know from their previous service in Hebron. We schmooze with them and make them laugh, and bestow upon them our blessings and collective gratitude from the entire Jewish nation for their sacrifice. Unfortunately, we’ve also attended a few funerals of fallen soldiers as well.

Q: Can you share a recent experience you had with a recovering soldier? What seems to be foremost on their minds right now?

A: We visited with Dvir, 35, a paratrooper and platoon commander who is very close with our family. Two years ago at his wedding, I made a bracha under his chupah. Today, he and his wife have a baby girl. I came to visit with some of my children, and my boys and I all gave him a joint birkat Kohanim (the priestly blessing). Dvir is fighting for his right eye and will be undergoing multiple surgeries.

The most amazing thing that we heard from him—what bothers him the most—is that he is not back in Gaza leading his soldiers into battle. He was wounded by shrapnel from an anti-tank missile that hit very close to him. Still, he got up, killed two terrorists and then passed out.

Q: You have been going to the Gaza front lines to support the soldiers and bring them necessary goods. Can you describe a recent interaction with them, and how items like donated toiletries, snack foods and notes from supporters boost morale?

Putting on tefillin has been a spiritual boon for soldiers.

A: I visited soldiers on Sunday, right on the frontlines in one of the areas where the units go in and come out. Our staff has been making daily visits to these places. After a few days, due to the generous support of others, we realized that for the time being, they have enough underwear, socks and toiletries for now to open a Costco (all of these items are necessary and much appreciated). Instead, we have a friend/donor who insisted on sponsoring hot food for the soldiers, who are used to being served airplane-quality cuisine. So we rolled into the area with 350 portions of hot shwarma in pitas. The soldiers said at first, they thought it was an illusion due to the heat ... they were so appreciative that it was hard to find someone who didn’t want to put on tefillin as well. On Wednesday, we brought 450 falafel in pita sandwiches, again from sponsors (blessings on their heads). This was met with countless smiles; the food provides energy and nourishment for the soldiers. And about 150 guys wrapped tefillin.

Q: What would you usually be doing over the course of a summer?

A: We would normally be busy welcoming and arranging tours for many groups of people from Israel and abroad to Hebron, but since the war started, tourism here is down. Still, we are keeping busy with the soldiers and their families, who are our main focus right now.

Q: How can people help from afar?

A: Anyone can help with prayers (daven for Dvir Avraham ben Rachel) or donations. Our web site shows what we are doing on behalf of the soldiers: www.chabadhebron.com.

On Wednesday, Chabad representatives brought 450 falafel in pitas, paid for by sponsors, to soldiers near the Gaza border. And about 150 of them wrapped tefillin, some for the first time.

Smiles all around for the extra nourishment this week.

A donor surprised the soldiers on Sunday by having Chabad deliver 350 hot shwarmas in pita to the field. Rabbi Refael Brod, co-director of Chabad of Kiryat Arba in Hebron, talks with the men as they enjoy their meal.

The food and letters from supporters have boosted morale during "Operation Protective Edge."