Rabbi Howard Morrison

We started our day at an organization called Tachlit. The word means purpose. Tachlit was founded 25 years ago to feed the hungry all over Israel. Since October 7, it provides food to 1500 families and 400 reserve IDF families on a weekly basis. Today, we helped prepare all kinds of vegetables for shipment and delivery.

Housed in an industrial area in Jeruslem,  Tachlit's offices include a Beit Midrash. The day starts with traditional prayer and study for those who desire. On one wall are the photos and names of civilians murdered on October 7. On another wall are the photos and names of IDF personnel who have died  from October 7 to now.

While the main purpose is distributing thousands of food baskets per week, their mission integrates the three main pillars of Judaism: Torah, Avodah (work) and Gemilut Chasadim (deeds of kindness).

Next we met with Nissimmi Naim Naor. His website is called "Nissimmi's food wonders." 

He instructed us how to bake Challot. His mission is to share the sweetness of carbs with those who most need it. Since October 7, he and his small staff, complemented by volunteers, provide to IDF families.

On a personal level, he explained how his shul on October 7, Simchat Torah, sang lullabies to the young children when they were called up for the last Aliyah. The tragic news had already broken.

Soon after October 7, Nissimmi was called up for his reserve duties, as director of the military funeral unit. He shared passionate stories of arranging many funerals in a short time. Nissimmi spoke of the kindness coming from all Jews in Israel and expressed deep gratitude to groups such as ours for coming at this time to offer support. He affirmed that all Jews should consider Israel as home. Currently, Nissimmi is completing his rabbinical studies at the Shalom Hartman Institute, which I and some others of our shul know well.

While walking to our bus, I saw Jason Goldberg, son of Eric and Gloria. Their grandson Ezra competed proudly in the international Bible contest held in Israel.

Lastly, our group and the teens of T.R.Y., The Ramah Jerusalem high school, listened attentively to Jacqui and Yaron Vital. On October 7 at Kibbutz Holit, their daughter, Adi Vital Kaploun, was murdered in her safe room while protecting her two sons, Negev (almost 4) and Eshel (6 months). Her husband Anani was on a hiking trail at the time. In a moment of courage, she called Anani to inform him of the impending danger and for a crash course on how to use their M-16. While she fought off one terrorist from within her safe room, she succumbed to shots from other terrorists. By phone, she kept her father Yaron away, who was in a guest house. He explained to us that he was spared because the terrorists thought the guest house was empty. Jacquie was in Ottawa visiting family.

Terrorists took the children and a neighbor, Avital, into Gaza. In an act of propaganda, the terrorists released them in front of cameras. Adi's body was found four days later wrapped in a blanket under the safe room bed, which was boobytrapped. Fortunately, the boobytrap never went off and was disarmed by the IDF. 

Jacquie described Adi as one who fought like a lioness. Yaron told us that speaking to groups like ours is therapy for him. By hearing him, we absorb some of the pain. Jacquie and Yaron's message to us is to keep talking about Adi.

Anani and the boys, like many other survivors, are living in hotels for the past seven months. It will take years for their Kibbutz to be rebuilt. They are all living an abnormal life physically and emotionally.

This was our day - one of purpose and passion.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Howard Morrison