MERCAZ USA Newsletter — Summer 2010

PURIM GIFTS TO LONE SOLDIERS

As part of the annual Purim campaign organized by the American Zionist Movement and its constituent organizations, MERCAZ USA provided 125 gift baskets to the Masorti Outreach Program to IDF Lone Soldiers housed at Congregation Moreshet Yisrael in Jerusalem by its volunteer coordinator Joan Kedem.

Joan Kedem, Coordinator of the Masorti IDF Outreach Program, shares Purim baskets with two lone soldiers.

As Joan, a self-described 'mother, grandmother and great-grandmother' who has lived in Israel for 49 years, notes, "All in all, we [reach] over 180 young men and women serving in different units in our IDF without benefit of family support. The soldiers have an address to turn to in time of need, all have my home telephone number, and coming together each Festival in an atmosphere of friendship and sharing, we have succeeded in creating and building a solid social and human service. No obligations, just a phone call and they all come together. All have made a decision to remain and live here, focusing their goals towards a positive and constructive aliyah."

Other beneficiaries of the annual MERCAZ Purim campaign were the Neve Hanna Children's Village and Netzach Israel, the Masorti community in Ashkelon.

For more information about IDF Outreach Project for Lone Soldiers, write to joankedem@gmail.com.

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