Good News Corner! 11th January 2024

❤️ More than 31 thousand Jewish babies have been born in Israel since 7th October 2023 - May they grow up strong healthy and safe, b'eH!

❤️ Even 3 months into the war, a group of volunteers from New Jersey are packing duffel bags full of equipment and goodies for our soldiers and sending them to Israel every day! You can see the picture of piles of bags at the El Al terminal at Newark International Airport for shipping to Israel, where they will be distributed to IDF troops around the country. The Bergen County Support for Israel & IDF, is providing the IDF with medical supplies, clothing, and non-tactical military gear. Since its formation just days after the surprise Hamas invasion and deadly attack, the Bergen County “Duffel Bag Brigade” has shipped close to 5,250 duffel bags - with a whopping 60,000 kilos of supplies, that have reached more than 75 IDF units, including those in Golani, Givati, Nachal, and Egoz.
The Bergen County group also decided to 'adopt' the southern Israeli city of Ofakim, and has been sending toys, coats, and other clothing; so far, they have airlifted some 150 duffel bags stuffed with the items for the city’s residents. Another 5,000 coats were sent by boat to Israel and are making their way here to be distributed to residents of Ofakim and Sderot.

❤️ Data from the National Transplantation Center shows that 297 people donated a kidney during 2023. During the year, about 39 thousand people signed an Adi (organ donor) card, a record number for one year.
You can sign an Adi card here: https://www.adi.gov.il/en/

❤️ Soldiers in Gaza have found some interesting objects in the underground bunkers used by Hamas.
Finds have included a soldier's wallet that he left behind almost ten years ago, during Operation Tzuk Eitan. The wallet was returned to him, and he was delighted to see his student card, a health insurance card and his RavKav card. He said "As they found such a small wallet, I believe that if the IDF is given the power, it will bring everyone home. Just as the wallet was returned, the abductees can be returned."
Soldiers also found a remarkable memento from 19 years ago in Gush Katif - a doorsign from the Yarhi family home in Netzarim, which was destroyed in the 2005 disengagement. Amiel Yarhi and his brother are now fighting in Gaza, near the place where they grew up. Amiel was only eight years old when he and his family left Netzarim. When he was given the doorsign from the soldiers who found it he was delighted. "I cried with excitement and was in shock. It was almost unreal", he said. "I hadn't seen this sign for almost 19 years, and it took me a moment to process. It's a throwback to a home that we loved very much." 

❤️ A great story, that is not so unusual these days "Today my friend from the States and I were picking up some jewelry she had ordered at a store near Machaneh Yehuda. A soldier came into the store, rifle slung over his shoulder. He told the jeweler that he had lost his wedding ring in Gaza, and his wife was upset about it, so he was stopping on the way home to buy another one. When the jeweler heard this, he said, “Any ring you choose, it's on the house!” The soldier said, “Wait, you are giving me a gold ring for free? For real?”
The jeweler responded, “You are doing what you can do, and this is something that I can do!”
May Hashem watch over this soldier and all our soldiers, and bring them home safe and sound to their families!"

❤️ Volunteers prepare packages of flowers, treats and candles to bring to the soldiers,who are returning home after fighting in Gaza, to give to their wives for Shabbos. This is what happens when a nation is totally driven by chessed we think of everything! Also, the flowers are purchased from farmers in the South to support their businesses which have been badly affected by the current situation. 

❤️ Journalist Hanoch Daum was sitting in a restaurant last week, next to a table of IDF soldiers. He overheard their conversation and understood that they were on leave from fighting in Gaza.  He went to the restaurant owner and offered to pay for the soldiers' meals. The owner replied with a big smile "Look, Pop, you'll have to get in line, six other people have offered to do the same thing before you!"

❤️About two months ago, at the press conference before the Israeli soccer team's game against Switzerland, captain Eli Dasa held up the soccer shoe belonging to 8-year-old Nave Shoham. The shoe was left behind when Nave was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7th along with seven members of his family. The story came full circle, when Nave was released from captivity and met with Dasa and joined in training with the national team players. The players gave him a team shirt prepared specially for him.

❤️A mother proudly displays her manicure honoring her 5 children who are currently serving in the IDF! Two in the Air Force, one in artillery, one in Nachal and one in the paratroops.

❤️ Photographer Ezra Landau captured a picture that would have been hard to find just a few months ago: A soldier and bochur resting together, supporting each other.

❤️ In another picture we see the shul that has been set up in Khan Yunis, with a small but kosher Torah scroll. You can see the shul noticeboard showing the prayer times for the minyan!

May we continue to share these uplifting and positive stories! Praying for the speedy and safe return of all the hostages, and for the safety and success of all our security forces.

©ShemeshOnline / Chat with the ShemeshBot!
To get updates, news and events in Beit Shemesh, join our no-chatter WhatsApp group!
Choose the way you want to get updates: https://yes.shemesh.co.il/social/