Or Lachayal Bringing Light to Our Soldiers

Annual Programming Plan 5775 • 2015 Contents

A. Introduction...... 4 4. : Mishloach manot food parcels for IDF soldiers...... 49 B. Annual Programming Plan ...... 6 5. : Matza Campaign...... 50 C. Ongoing activities...... 11 E. Special projects...... 51 1. General ...... 11 1. Taglit hospitality at a BBQ for the Soul event...... 51 2. BBQ for the Soul...... 15 2. Project...... 52 3. Bank - “The Jewish People’s Secret Weapon” – for IDF Soldiers ...... 19 3. Tefillin cabinets...... 53 4. experience...... 23 4. Food Vouchers for Needy Soldiers...... 53 5. & Heritage Program...... 27 5. ...... 53 Or Lachayal - 6. Study Days and two-day Seminars...... 29 6. for combat soldiers ...... 54 7. Home Away from Home...... 31 7. Emotional Support for the Injured and Bereaved...... 54 5775 • 2015 8. Morale and Tefillin Patrol - Mobile Units on Bases...... 33 8. ...... 54 Annual Programming Plan - 9. Silver Candlesticks ...... 35 9. Field Relaxation Vehicle...... 55 10. Shabbat Hospitality ...... 37 10. Off-road Vehicle...... 55 11. Or Lachayal Monthly Newsletter ...... 39 11. Special Projects...... 55 D. Holiday Programming...... 40

Annual Programming Plan - F. Or Lachayal House ...... 56 1. and ...... 43 5775 • 2015 G. Administrative and Miscellaneous...... 57 2. ...... 45

Or Lachayal - 3. Chanukah...... 47 Summary...... 57 2 3 A. Introduction Or Lachayal was established by Menachem Ofen in 2000, following his miraculous survival of an attack by Hamas terrorists against him and his brother near the Tarqumia checkpoint outside , while on their way to deliver mishlochei manot and bring the simcha of Purim to IDF soldiers serving in the Hebron region. IDF Chief of Staff Moshe

While Rabbi Ofen was recuperating from his injuries he decided to devote the rest of Levi visiting the Lubavitcher Or Lachayal - his life to being a shaliach for the Lubavitcher , bringing joy and encouragement Rebbe. to IDF soldiers who are dedicating their lives to the defense of Am Yisrael and Eretz The Rebbe expressed warm

5775 • 2015 Yisrael, and connecting these soldiers to their Jewish heritage. feelings for and bestowed Annual Programming Plan - Or Lachayal’s goals are: To bring light and joy to IDF soldiers, in order to raise their special blessings on anyone morale and to instill in them the values of brotherhood and mutual responsibility – supporting his activities and Ahavat Yisrael, and to strengthen their Jewish identity. The main focus of Or Lachayal’s projects in the IDF. Several activities is the Jewish experience, bringing pleasure and pleasantness to the soldiers chassidim have disclosed as we contribute to their physical and spiritual welfare. All of Or Lachayal’s activities that for decades the Rebbe had personally sponsored Annual Programming Plan -

are coordinated with and approved by the official IDF and state authorities in charge 5775 • 2015 of the soldiers’ welfare, including the Human Resources Department, the Education some of the IDF’s holiday Corps, the Ministry of Defense, Association for the Wellbeing of 's Soldiers (AWIS) activities. and the IDF Rabbinate. Or Lachayal - 4 5

Table 1 | Ongoing Programs Summary of the Work Plan for 2015, by types of programs Table 1 | Ongoing Programs SummaryPrograam Type of the Work PlanAnnual for 2015, Cost by types ofPro programsportion of ttotal (Thousands of dollars) programming budget B. Annual Programming Plan Program Type Annual Cost Proportion of total Ongoing (Thousands7,254 of dollars) programming32% budget Or Lachayal’s programming plan has three main areas of activity: year-round ongoing Seasonal 2,244 10% activities and seasonal programs before and during , and special Ongoing 7,254 32% Special projects 7,726 34%48 projects. Seasonal 2,244 10% Or LacSpecialhayal projects 7,7265,500 234%44% In the 2015 programming year, we anticipate a significant increase in activities in all House three areas. The annual programming plan has been constructed based on an annual Or Lachayal House 5,500 24% budget of $17.2 million: $7.3 million for ongoing activities, at $605,000 per month; Total Total 22,70822,708 10100%0% $2.2 million for seasonal activities and $7.7 million for special projects. In addition to the above budget, in 2015 we are planning to purchase and renovate Or Lachayal House in , which will serve as a center for the organization’s programs. The cost of this acquisition and the renovations is estimated at $9.5 million, and we have already raised half of that sum. The actual implementation of the following programming plan depends on the funding

resources available to the organization. Most of the funds for Or Lachayal’s programs Or Lachayal - come from the very generous donation by Reb Itzchak Mirilashvili and the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF). 5775 • 2015 The transfer of the substantial budgets from the FIDF and other donors on a matching Annual Programming Plan - basis will contribute immensely to the expansion of Or Lachayal’s programs in 2015, and to an increase in the number of soldiers who will benefit from the light and joy that Or Lachayal spreads in the IDF. Following is a summary of the Annual Programming Plan. Annual Programming Plan - 5775 • 2015 Or Lachayal - 6 7

Table 2 | Summary of Costs for Ongoing Programs – 2015 (in Thousands of Dollars) Table 3 | Summary of Seasonal Programs for 2015 (in Thousands of Dollars)

Unit Number Total per Cost per Total Annual Number for Budget for Project Name Description Units measure per month year Month Cost 2015 2015 Pre-holiday BBQ for the High Holiday Events 33 396 281 3,366 educational Events 30 45 Soul Awareness event Tefillin Bank Set of tefillin 100 1,200 49 590 Distribution of Shabbat in Project at IDF Shofarot 300 20 6 72 61 727 Jerusalem bases

Torah and Building Sukkot Classes 260 3,120 26 312 Sukkot Bank Sukkot 100 200 Heritage at IDF bases

Study days Study days 4 48 11 129 Four Species Distribution Arba Minim) of the Four Sets 10,000 120 2-day study 2-day campaign Species 2 24 13 152 program programs Home Away Simchat Beit Simchat Beit from Home Activity days 92 1,100 28 331 Hasho’eva Hasho’eva Events 30 90 (4 homes) events events Morale and Chanukah Chanukah Events 50 100 Tefillin Patrol Activity days 220 10 71 852 Program Candle lighting (10 teams) Silver Candlesticks 833 10,000 13 150 Chanukah Distribution candlesticks Program – of Chanukah Items 177,000 169 Items Items Or Lachayal Newsletters 1 16 8 96 Newsletter Mishlochei Distribution 583 7,000 9 105 Manot for IDF of Mishlochei Food parcels 250,000 750 Hospitality soldiers Manot Administrative Distribution of and - 37 443 Matza Project Shmura Matzot 250,000 750 Miscellaneous Shmura Matza Total 605 7,254 Total 2,244 Or Lachayal - 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan - Annual Programming Plan - 5775 • 2015 Or Lachayal - 8 9 Table 4 | Summary of Special projects for 2015 (in Thousands of Dollars)

Number for Budget for Name Description Units 2015 2015 C. Ongoing activities Hosting Taglit 1. General Taglit BBQ for participants Events 200 468 the soul in BBQ for the The ongoing activities consists of 11 different activities, all of which are aimed at Soul events improving the soldiers’ quality of life, both physically and spiritually.

Checking, Mezuzah replacing and 75,000 3,798 Project maintenance

Installing Tefillin cabinets tefillin cabinets Cabinets 400 1,948 at IDF bases

Food Vouchers Distribution of for Needy Recipients 3,500 200 food vouchers Soldiers

Brit Milah Brit Milah ceremonies in Events 100 180 hospitals

Tzitzit for Distribution of combat camouflage Units 500,000 500 soldiers fabric tzitzit

Emotional support for the 100 injured and bereaved

Writing Sifrei Torah for Sifrei Torah Sefer Torah 2 72 the soldiers’ benefit Vehicle in which Field relaxation soldiers can Vehicle 1 180 vehicle relax during field training Or Lachayal - exercises

5775 • 2015 Vehicle that will enable Or Annual Programming Plan - Off-road Lachayal teams Vehicle 1 100 vehicle to reach every outpost and every soldier

Annual Programming Plan - Special Events 2 180 5775 • 2015 Projects

Total 7,726 Or Lachayal - 10 11 C. Ongoing activities

1. General The ongoing activities consists of 11 different activities, all of which are aimed at improving the soldiers’ quality of life, bboth physically and spiritually.

The average cost per in the ongoing activities is estimated at $3.3. The average cost per mitzvah in the ongoing activities is estimated at $3.3.

In addition to the individual experience, the joy, encouragement and light, the IDF In addition to the individual experience, the joy, encouragement and light, the IDF soldierrs who participate in Or Lachayyal’s activities will benefit from fuulfilling many soldiers who participate in Or Lachayal’s activities will benefit from fulfilling many mitzvot.mitzvot.

Or Lachayal - 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan -

The average cost per mitzvah in the ongoing activities is estimated at $3.3. Annual Programming Plan -

2. BBQ for the Soul 5775 • 2015

BBQ for the Soul is a program that reeaches out the soldiers in the field, visiting the

Or Lachayal - battalions all along Israel’s borders, to the north, the south and the east, and to raise 12 their spirits and connect the combat soldiers to the Jewish sources tthrough love and 13 friendsship. The project is based on the understanding that, by fulfilling a person’s material needs, through giving and happiness, we can open their hearts to fulfill their spiritual needs. BBQ for the Soul is unnique in its success in reaching a wide range of soldierrs, many of whom are not regularly exposed to Jewish values and ideas.

The BBQ for the Soul programs also include entertainment, unique eexperience events and evenings for small IDF units on bases scattered throughhout the country. These events empower the soldiers and fill them with courage and inner strength to overcoome the difficult challenges they face. Along with the cheerful JJewish-cultural content, these barbecues include a geenerous meal of grilled meats and all the accompaniments, plus a stand-up comedian and musical performances that raise the soldiers’ morale and send their spirits soaring. 2.1 Annual Programming Plan The Annnual Programming Plan for 2015 assumes an annual averagge of at least eight events a week (33 events a month), with 500 participants and at an average cost of $8,500 per event. The implementation of this project in full will bring Or Lachayal’s programmming and a great many mitzvot to some 200,000 soldiers over the course of the year, as detailed below. 2. BBQ for the Soul BBQ for the Soul is a program that reaches out to the soldiers in the field, visiting the battalions all along Israel’s borders, to the north, the south and the east, and to raise

their spirits and connect the combat soldiers to the Jewish sources through love and Or Lachayal - friendship. The project is based on the understanding that, by fulfilling a person’s material needs, through giving and happiness, we can open their hearts to fulfill their

5775 • 2015 spiritual needs. BBQ for the Soul is unique in its success in reaching a wide range of soldiers, many of whom are not regularly exposed to Jewish values and ideas. Annual Programming Plan - The BBQ for the Soul programs also include entertainment, unique experience events and evenings for small IDF units on bases scattered throughout the country. These events empower the soldiers and fill them with courage and inner strength to overcome the difficult challenges they face. Along with the cheerful Jewish-

Annual Programming Plan - cultural content, these barbecues include a generous meal of grilled meats and all 5775 • 2015 the accompaniments, plus a stand-up comedian and musical performances that raise the soldiers’ morale and send their spirits soaring. Or Lachayal - 14 15 2.1 Annual Programming Plan 2.2 Estimated mitzvot The Annual Programming Plan for 2015 assumes an annual average of at least eight The main mitzvot that are fulfilled at BBQ for the Soul events are: tefillin, brakhot events a week (33 events a month), with 500 participants and at an average cost of before and after meals, listening to a Jewish identity lecture - learning Torah, reciting $8,500 per event. The implementation of this project in full will bring Or Lachayal’s verses from the Torah, the joy in fulfilling a mitzvah and reciting . At programming and a great many mitzvot to some 200,000 soldiers over the course of events held close to Jewish festivals, there are additional seasonal mitzvot. All in all the year, as detailed below. we anticipate the fulfillment of over one million mitzvot, at an average cost of $3.20 per mitzvah. The planning of these events in conjunction with the Jewish calendar will make it possible to increase the number of seasonal mitzvot that can be added. In addition, the drafting of the annual events plan in coordination with the army will make it Table 7 | Estimate of Annual Mitzvot from BBQ for the Soul Events* possible to increase the average number of soldiers at each event. Number of Mitzvot Proportion of Total The program is operated by a staff of employees comprising an operations officer Brakhot on food 198,000 19% and two event management teams, each consisting of a driver and three operations workers. The overall annual salaries of the events management teams is approximately Lectures on Torah / 198,000 19% Jewish identity $250,000. The cost of each event, per soldier, not including the aforementioned salaries, is $15.70. Reciting Torah verses 198,000 19% Joy in fulfilling mitzvot 198,000 19% Table 5 | BBQ for the Soul Reciting Shema Yisrael 198,000 19% Putting on Tefillin 59,400 6% Program of Activities for 2015 Total 1,049,400 100% Details Unit Costs in US$ * Not including seasonal mitzvot measure Monthly Annual Number of Events Events 33 396 Average Number of Soldiers at Event Soldiers 500 N/A Total Number of Soldiers Soldiers 16,500 198,000 Direct Cost US$ 249,951 2,999,417 Logistics and salaries US$ 30,544 366,526 Total Cost US$ 280,495 3,365,943 Average Cost per Event US$/event 8,500 N/A

Table 6 | Typical Structure of Costs per Event

Details Cost Meat 3,081 Salads 501

Carbohydrates 383 Or Lachayal - Drinks 350 Disposable Products 345 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan - Total Cost of Food 4,660 Musicians 2,200 Entertainer / comedian 714 Personnel and Logistics 926 Total per Event 8,500 Annual Programming Plan - 5775 • 2015 Or Lachayal - 16 17 3. Tefillin Bank “The Jewish People’s Secret Weapon” – for IDF Soldiers Putting on tefillin is a segulah for a long life and is the only mitzvah that is compared to the observance of the entire Torah. In a discussion of tefillin, the states, “Anyone who lays tefillin; his days and years are extended.” The Talmudic sages also teach us that the verse in the Torah, “And all the peoples of the earth shall see that the name of G-d is called upon you; and they shall be afraid of you.” (Deuteronomy 28:10) is a reference to tefillin. A well-known story relates that during the Yom Kippur War, the Syrian troops on Israel’s northern border surrendered to IDF soldiers without any battle, despite the fact that they had military supremacy. When the Syrians were asked for a reason

for this, they claimed that they saw a “black box” on each Israeli soldier’s head and Or Lachayal - thought that this was a new secret weapon developed by the Israeli military … the truth is that they were not wrong... 5775 • 2015 Since 2011, Or Lachayal has distributed thousands of pairs of tefillin to IDF soldiers Annual Programming Plan - who do not own a pair of their own and wish to fulfill this important mitzvah every day. These soldiers also receive a copy of the book “The Way to a Life of Meaning,” which presents the Jewish approach to various life situations. This is one of the most important and most extensive projects in the history of the IDF. Annual Programming Plan - 5775 • 2015 In 2015 we plan to distribute 100 pairs of tefillin each month, for a total of 1,200 over the course of the year. Or Lachayal - 18 19 3.1 Annual Programming Plan As noted above, Or Lachayal plans to distribute 100 pairs of tefillin per month. An Or Lachayal employee will be in charge of this program, from the process of ordering the tefillin through to distributing them to the soldiers. The cost of each pair of tefillin is $472 (including VAT). The total cost of purchasing and distributing 1,200 pairs of tefillin is $590,000 per year.

Table 8 | Annual Costs of the Tefillin Bank Program

Item Cost per VAT ($) Cost per Unit, Monthly Cost Annual Cost Unit ($) inc. VAT ($) ($) ($) Tefillin Boxes, 180.00 32.40 212.40 21,240 254,880 including Straps Tefillin 190.00 34.20 224.20 22,420 269,040 Parchments Embroidered 10.00 1.80 11.80 1,180 14,160 Bags High-Quality 10.00 1.80 11.80 1,180 14,160 Checking (inc. computerized) Book – “The 10.00 1.80 11.80 1,180 14,160 Way to a Life of Meaning” Manpower 19.52 0 19.52 1,950 23,420 Or Lachayal - Total $419.52 $72 $491.52 $49,150 $589,820 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan - 3.2 Estimated Mitzvot With the help of this program, every month an additional one hundred soldiers will lay tefillin each weekday morning. This means that there will be an additional 27,900 mitzvot per month by the end of the year. We expect to add a total of 178,200 mitzvot during this year, at an average of 15,000 mitzvot every month. Annual Programming Plan - The average cost per mitzvah is expected to be $3.30. 5775 • 2015 Or Lachayal - 20 21 4. Shabbat experience The Shabbat experience is a relatively new addition to the Or Lachayal projects that focus on spiritual content, with the aim of connecting IDF soldiers and officers to and strengthening their Jewish identity. The Shabbat experience program brings the soldiers for a unique Shabbat in one of three locations: Jerusalem, or Mitzpe Ramon. The enrichment programming over the course of the Shabbat focuses on different aspects of this special day and includes uplifting Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat service, Klezmer songs, a walking tour of the city, Havdala program with musical accompaniment, and lectures on a variety of topics: positive thinking, the officer’s role as an educator, leadership in Judaism, combat heritage, the importance of a sense of mission in our lives, etc. This Shabbat experience is designed to leave a strong, and lasting impression that will deepen the connection between the soldiers and their commanders to their roots and will increase their sense of belonging to the Jewish People. This experience will hopefully also increase their motivation to protect Am Yisrael and maximize their feeling of unity and mutual responsibility. Or Lachayal - 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan - Annual Programming Plan - 5775 • 2015 Or Lachayal - 22 23 4.1 Annual Programming Plan Accumulated Value of Mitzvot The IDF and particularly the Education Corp view the Shabbat experience program as More than 7,800 IDF soldiers and officers are expected to experience a Shabbat in a first-rate educational tool. The director of the IDF Education Department has given Jerusalem. Most collected mitzvot relate to the observance of Shabbat, and close to her wholehearted support for this program. The current plan includes six such events 200,000 mitzvot will be collected; at an average cost of $4.36 per mitzvah. each month – two in each location - with 90 soldiers participating in each event. As noted above, this program includes edutainment activities, accommodation, and Table 10 | Details of direct costs for a Shabbat experience program six meals/snacks for each soldier, with coffee, cake and fruit available throughout the entire Shabbat. The direct cost for each soldier per Shabbat is estimated at $105. Item Cost ($) The monthly salary for the project manager is $3,904. Accommodations 25 Food (six meals/snacks) 60 Table 9 | Annual Costs of the Shabbat experience program for 2015 Edutainment activities 20 Total direct costs 105 Item Monthly Annual Number of Shabbat programs 6 72 Table 11 | Estimated Annual Mitzvot from Shabbat Experience programs Average number of soldiers per event 90 N/A Mitzvah Annual Total Total number of soldiers participating in program 540 6,480 Shabbat Candles 1,944 Direct programming costs 56,700 680,400 Kabbalat Shabbat 6,480 Project manager salary cost 3,900 46,800 Kiddush 12,960 Total $60,600 727,200 Shabbat Meals 19,440 Torah Verses 19,440 Happiness in Keeping Mitzvot 19,440 Learning Torah 6,480 Brakhot on food 77,760 Total 163,944 Or Lachayal - 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan - Annual Programming Plan - 5775 • 2015 Or Lachayal - 24 25 Or Lachayal -

5775 • 2015 5. Torah & Heritage Program Annual Programming Plan - The Torah & Heritage Program is designed to introduce soldiers to Jewish educational content, including and traditions, national unity, and the love for the Land and the People of Israel. This program includes shiurim, lectures, and workshops at army bases around the country. Classes are conducted in small groups, so that each soldier can enjoy personal attention. Annual Programming Plan -

The program’s structure enables each soldier to choose a discussion group matching 5775 • 2015 his or her needs and interests. The program brings the gems of Judaism to IDF soldiers, who wish to learn more about their heritage. Or Lachayal - 26 27 5.1 Annual Programming Plan The work plan for the 2015 is based on an expanded series of shiurim and workshops, of 260 per month. The monthly cost for this program is $26,000 including salaries and travel expenses for teachers and lecturers, refreshments and salary for the project manager, who is an Or Lachayal employee.

Table 12 | Estimated Costs for the Torah & Heritage Program

Item Monthly cost ($) Annual Cost ($) Payment to lecturers 11,440 137,280 Travel expenses 5,980 71,760 Refreshments 7,280 87,360 Project Manager salary 1,307 15,686 Total 26,007 312,086

5.2. Estimated Annual Mitzvot from the Torah & Heritage Program An average of 25 soldiers participates in each or workshop. Throughout the year 78,000 soldiers are expected to listen to shiurim and merit the mitzvah of learning Torah and reciting brakhot on food, for a total of 156,000 mitzvot at an average cost of $2.00 per mitzvah.

6. Study Days and two-day Seminars Over the past few years the IDF Education Corps has been dedicating substantial resource to Israeli-Jewish identity, with the aim of strengthening this identity among IDF officers and soldiers. To this end, the Education Corps invites various organizations from a variety of ideologies and streams of Judaism to visit IDF bases and bolster the Jewish identity of the soldiers, in keeping with their world view and based on the presentation of an appropriate programming plan. Or Lachayal is one of the organizations that have been chosen to participate in this important mission of strengthening the soldiers’ Jewish identity and the connection to Eretz Yisrael. The instilling of values and this goal will be achieved via one- and two-day seminars that Or Lachayal - combine positive experiences and content.

5775 • 2015 A one-day seminar consists of a field trip in the geographical region that is the focus Annual Programming Plan - of the seminar; a hot meal, a lecture and/or workshop and a storyteller with musical accompaniment. A two-day seminar consists of 4 lectures and/or walking tours, 5 meals, a workshop and a musical performance, plus a Chassidic experience gathering with time for questions and answers. The unique component of the two-day seminar is the 24-hour Annual Programming Plan -

period that the soldiers spend in a Chassidic environment, with in-depth exposure 5775 • 2015 to the Chassidic world. This exposure is a golden opportunity for the soldiers to be inspired by the Chassidim who are running the program. Or Lachayal - 28 29 6.1 Annual Programming Plan The work plan for 2015 is based on 4 one-day seminars per month, with 80 soldiers participating in each seminar and 2 two-day seminars, each with participation of 50 soldiers. These seminars will reach a total of some 5,000 soldiers per year, at an overall cost of about $280,000.

Table 13 | Estimated Costs for the Study Day and Two-day Seminar Program

Item Monthly Annual Study day 4 48 Two-day seminar 2 24 Total number of soldiers 420 5,040 Average variable costs $22,057 $264,686 Management costs $1,394 $16,731 Total $23,451 $281,417

Table 14 | Cost Structure for Study Day and Two-day Seminar Program

Item Study day Two-day seminar Meals 1,371 3,857 Lecture 286 571 Walking tour 143 286 Fuel 143 143 Edutainment program 571 1,143 Subtotal – variable costs 2,514 6,000 Management costs 174 349 Total $2,689 $6,349

6.2. Estimated Annual Mitzvot from the study day/seminar program The mitzvot that the IDF soldiers and officers will fulfill during the one- and two-day seminar programs are learning Torah, making brakhot before and after eating, and the joy of fulfilling a mitzvah. Over the course of the year this program will add a total of 32,000 mitzvot at an average cost of $7.60 per mitzvah. 7. Home Away from Home

As its name implies, this is a place where soldiers can rest, renew their energies, find Or Lachayal - someone to talk to, and enjoy refreshments. While visiting the Home Away from Home the soldiers are offered an opportunity to lay tefillin and on Wednesdays, Thursdays,

5775 • 2015 and Fridays women soldiers are offered Shabbat candles. This facility is open from Annual Programming Plan - 07:00 to 17:30 on Sunday through Thursday, and from 07:00 to 13:00 on Fridays. The Home Away from Home is run by two full-time employees. In the summer of 2011, the first such facility was inaugurated at the entrance to the IDF base in Tzrifin. This site was chosen for its strategic location at the largest training base in the IDF, serving more than 18,000 soldiers. Annual Programming Plan - Or Lachayal’s plans for 2015 include the opening of three additional Home Away 5775 • 2015 from Home facilities, similar to the one in Tzrifin. Or Lachayal - 30 31 7.1 Annual Programming Plan The work plan for 2015 is based on Or Lachayal’s experience and the costs incurred in the operation of the Home Away from Home at the entrance to the Tzrifin army base. Most of the costs are constant: rent and salaries for workers.

Table 15 | Cost Structure for the Home Away from Home Project

Item Monthly Cost Annual Cost Rent (4 houses) 6,000 72,000 Refreshments and activities 6,000 72,000 Salaries 15,600 187,400 Total $27,600 $331,400

7.2. Estimated Annual Mitzvot from the Home Away from Home Project The Programming Plan assumes that the previous years’ success of the Home Away from Home can be replicated at all four facilities in 2015, multiplying by four the number of soldiers benefiting from activities and accumulating mitzvot. With the realization of these assumptions, we will accumulate over 800,000 mitzvot, at an average cost of $0.41 per mitzvah.

Table 16 | Estimated Annual Mitzvot at the Home Away from Home

Mitzvah No. of Mitzvot % of Total Brakhot on food 345,600 43% Joy of fulfilling a Mitzvah 345,600 43% Putting on tefillin 86,400 11% Shabbat Candles 28,800 4% Total 806,400 100% Or Lachayal -

8. Morale and Tefillin Patrol - Mobile Units on Bases 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan - As part of the Morale and Tefillin Patrol Program, teams of two Or Lachayal emissaries visit army bases and roadblocks all over the country and along the borders, every day of the week except Shabbat, bringing the soldiers with refreshments, treats, and gift packages. These visits are a real morale booster for the soldiers’ who also an opportunity to perform the mitzvah of tefillin.

Annual Programming Plan - These activities are conducted on a regular basis at IDF bases and roadblocks in 5775 • 2015 Judea and Samaria, as well as among units of soldiers in the Gaza Division. In 2015 Or Lachayal plans to expand this program to additional regions around the country. Or Lachayal - 32 33 8.1 Annual Programming Plan The expansion of these activities in 2015 includes 10 full-time tefillin patrol teams, with three employees each, working throughout the year.

Table 17 | Costs for the Patrol Program

Section Monthly Cost Annual Cost Refreshments 20,000 240,000 Travel 12,000 144,000 Salaries 39,000 468,000 Total $71,000 $853,000

8.2. Estimated Annual Mitzvot from the Morale and Tefillin Patrol Program As this name implies, the Morale and Tefillin Patrol program focuses on bringing the joy of the mitzvah of tefillin to IDF soldiers. Additional mitzvot that accumulate through this program are the reciting of Torah verses, the study of Torah, the joy of fulfilling a mitzvah and brakhot on food. Based on past experience, the estimated total number of mitzvot that will be added through this program and its 10 patrol teams is nearly 2,000,000, at an average cost of $0.41 per mitzvah. Or Lachayal - 5775 • 2015 9. Silver Candlesticks Annual Programming Plan - For many generations the hour of Shabbat candle lighting has been considered a very special time for the Jewish woman; a time when the gates of heaven are open to her prayers. The Silver Candlesticks Program is a unique project for providing IDF servicewomen with candlesticks and enabling them to reconnect to a time-honored

Annual Programming Plan - tradition and create a sense of home wherever they may be. 5775 • 2015 Or Lachayal - 34 35 9.1 Annual Programming Plan Every month 830 ornate candlesticks are distributed to women soldiers, one for each woman. Each candlestick costs $15. No salaried employees are hired specifically for this project. The candlesticks are distributed by Or Lachayal volunteers and administration workers. A total of 10,000 candlesticks will be being given out in 2015, at a cost of $ 150,000.

9.2 Estimated Annual Mitzvot Every month an additional 830 Jewish young women will light Shabbat candles on Friday afternoon. Over of course of the year we can accumulate over 240,000 mitzvot, at an average cost of $0.63 per mitzvah.

10. Shabbat Hospitality IDF soldiers are engaged in operational activities 365 days a year; many operations are also conducted on Shabbat. The Shabbat Hospitality project arranges the hosting Or Lachayal - of soldiers on operational duty, for a traditional Shabbat meal, in the glow of the candles and will all the delicacies from the Jewish kitchen, Shabbat melodies, words 5775 • 2015 of Torah and stories from the . A family Shabbat experience in a Annual Programming Plan - relaxed and uplifting home atmosphere raises the soldiers’ spirits, eases the longing for home, and enables them to unburden themselves of anything that is bothering them. The Shabbat Hospitality Project is part of Or Lachayal’s welfare programs, with soldiers being hosted in the homes of civilians throughout the country, where the soldiers Annual Programming Plan - are warmly welcomed and can enjoy a genuine Shabbat experience, with meals and 5775 • 2015 meaningful conversations that continue throughout the day. This hospitality is fully funded by Or Lachayal. Or Lachayal - 36 37 3

ב"ה כסלו תשע"ב | דצמבר 2011 10.1 Annual Programming Plan Every month, hundreds of combat soldiers are hosted by families throughout the country. The costs of this project are based on an estimate of $15 per soldier per עלון חודשי לחשיבה יהודית .each meal. In 2015 we are planning to arrange home hospitality for 3,500 soldiers With a total anticipated cost of $105,000. [email protected] | www.orlachayal.com יוצא לאור על-ידי ארגון אור לחייל Or Lachayal Monthly Newsletter נצנוצי.Estimated Annual Mitzvot 11 10.2 We live in a generation of mass communication, a time when messages need to be הישג מדיני כתוצאה ממאבק רוחני As noted above, over the course of the year, thousands of soldiers will enjoy Shabbat transmittable via the mass media. This fact has both positive and negative aspects, חג החנוכה הנחוג במסגרת השרות הצבאי, מזכיר במידה רבה את ימי אור hospitality and meals and fulfill over 26,000 mitzvot; with an average cost of $4 per but this is the reality in which we live. החשמונאים. שילוב בין ניצחון צבאי להצלה רוחנית .mitzvah of this reality and recognizes הנרות, needs שמה theאת הדגש עלmeets אירוע that אחר לחלוטין Or Lachayal publishes a newsletter השילוב בין חג החנוכה לשירות צבאי, משקף audiences. Keeping in mind – נס large מציאת פך with השמן.face-to-face meetings ערכות in חנוכה limitations לחייליםthe במידה רבה את מה שהתרחש בתקופת Table 18 | Estimated Mitzvot from Shabbat Hospitality חג החנוכה בפתח, ובארגון 'אור לחייל' this החשמונאים. produced סיפורו של haveחג we החנוכה, הינו בכך ביקשו ,of communicationחכמינו לקבוע means בהכרתנו שעיקר the importance in a high quality סיפור של heartwarming התמודדות and בלתי פוסקת בשני in an enlightening המאבק של Judaism חנוכה of היה במישור values הרוחני,presents the מתוכננת which פעילות רבה. במהלך ימי,newsletter אותו מסמל פך השמן. המלחמה והנצחונות Shabbat Candles 1,750 bases מישורים: in army צבאי־מדיני serve ורוחני־ערכי. חתירה of the public. The fact that IDF soldiers החג swathsיפקדו פעילי broad הארגון to את wayבסיסי לעצמאות מדינית, במאבק הירואי של קבוצת שבעקבותיה, באו מכוח 'פך השמן הטהור', צה"ל השונים, ויביאו את שמחת Kabbalat Shabbat 1,750 לוחמי,south גרילה in the העומדת Eilat בגבורה to כנגד צבא north אדיר in the האמונה הלוהטתHeights בקב"ה, the Golanשהתפרצה במלוא throughout the country, from החג ללוחמים. הם יעניקו לחיילים Kiddush 3,500 של המעצמה הגדולה ביותר בעולם של .toolאותם need for a high-quality communication ערכות theחג, הכוללות חנוכיה exacerbatesונרות, ימים, לצד התמודדות מול התרבות העולמית, עוזה. עלון המסביר את מצוות החג ומנהגיו Shabbat Meals 3,500 -high המודרנית, on ונסיון לשמר printedאת and הייחודיות של ,basisהעם The Or Lachayal newsletter is published on a monthly חג לדורות וכמובן סופגניה טעימה. הפעילות in direct language on eye-level מאז written התרחש is הנס כבר חלפו newsletterכמעט The אלפיים .Reciting Verses 3,500 quality paper in full color היהודי. ומאתיים שנים, וחג החנוכה נחוג בשמחה נעשית בשיתוף ה'אגודה למען החייל' and בהיבט ,army זה the כאמור, in ציון חג החנוכה attitudes במסגרת The joy in fulfilling mitzvot 3,500 with the soldiers; the content is geared to the moods and ובהתלהבות בקרב רובו המכריע של העם והרבנות הצבאית. השרות הצבאי, מזכיר במידה רבה את ימי היהודי. זאת בניגוד לחגים .service רבים נוספים to military שציינו Learning Torah 1,750 addresses issues relevant החשמונאים המופלאים והמסובכים כאחד. מצד אירועים ניסיים שהתרחשו, אך אלו לא שרדו טקסי הדלקה בבסיסים אחד ,thinkersהגנה על עם ישראל religious מפני האויבים הבאים contemporary את and תקופת Rabbisהחורבן IDFוהגלות של העם leading היהודי. Brakhot on food 7,000 The articles are written by עליו להרגו, ומצד שני, מצוות החג המסמלות במהלך החג יתקיימו אי"ה במבחר between military leaders and אכן אין כל connectionטעם לחגוגas theהצלה suchשאירעה בתקופת Total 26,250 offering discussions of topics את הניצחון הרוחני, של פך השמן הטהור. בית המקדש השני, לאחר חורבנו של אותו בית. בסיסים טקסי הדלקה מרכזיים של current events that affect the וכי יש Jewish לשמוח על ; ישועה שעמדה reveredלעם the ישראל,– leaders נרות החנוכה.spiritual אלו יתקיימוJewish תוך מאבק ערכי.the generations לאחר throughout שתועלתה כבר לא bravery קיימת?and stories of התכנסויות ,soldiers החיילים of the ומפקדיהם. livesלאחר מאבק החשמונאים כנגד היוונים לא התחיל ההדלקה ושירת מבחר פזמוני החנוכה אך חג החנוכה, למרות שאף הוא קשור לתקופת the משאיפה to increase לעצמאות hope מדינית. weהוא הגיח and מתוך currently distributed in 30,000 copies בליווי is להקות תזמורת, newsletter החיילים Theישמעו מצוקה בשל גזירות היוונים שביקשו למנוע הבית השני שכבר נחרב בידי הכובשים, צלח .in order to reach many more army bases דברי הסבר על,in 2015החג ומשמעותו.number מהעם להישאר נאמן לדתו ואמונתו. מגמתם את תקופות החורבן ומממשיך להתקיים. העיקרית של החשמונאים היתה להפיג את עלון הסבר לחג מבית הלחץ הזה, וכנגד הגזירות הללו הם קראו תיגר. חנוכה –אקטואלי תמיד הם התקוממו כנגד העובדה שנשללת מהם אחת הסיבות לכך היא Plan שלמרות מרחק הזמן Programming 'אור לחייל'Annual 11.1 האפשרות לקיים מצוות. בסוף העימות הושגה הרב, החג הזה משקף להפליא את הדילמות לקראת ימי החנוכה הפיק אגף ההוצאה גם עצמאות מדינית. אך זו היתה תוצאה שלא the year – 12 monthly newsletters and וההתמודדויות מולן אנו throughout ניצבים כיום. זהו publishedחג are של 'אור newsletters לחייל' עלון חנוכה Sixteenמרהיב התפור ממש למידותיו של היהודי בימינו. אותו נצפתה מראש. ובו דברי הסבר על החג ומהותו, לצד ,Yom Kippur & Sukkot; Chanukah, Purimמאבק, אותן שאלות ,Hashanahואותם לבטים. Rosh)גם היום for the Jewish Holidays 4 תפיסה זו משתקפת היטב בדרך בה מציינים כוחות מסויימים מנסים למשוך אותנו לאימוץ הדרכות מעשיות .(Pesach אודות קיוםand מצוות את נס החנוכה וניצחון המכבים. נצחון המכבים, התרבות העולמית, תוך זניחת המורשת החג. העלון מותאם לחיילים וכתוב employee שהיה הישג salaried צבאי one מדהים בכל including קנה־מידה, ,personnel וטשטוש for הסממנים ,96,000 המייחדים$ אותנו totalsכעם project ב"שפה"of this הקרובה cost לליבם, Theתוך שהוא כאשר 'חלשים' גברו על 'גיבורים' ו'מעטים' and distribution. The main expenses היהודי. לכן, גם printing כשסיפור ,editing ניצחון המכבים חלף, ,of production שזור in charge במוטיבים isמן whoהתחום הצבאי. - Or Lachayal עמדו כנגד 'רבים', אינו בא לידי ביטוי במנהגי הלקחים אותם ניתן להפיק ממנו, קיימים אף החג העיקריים. אמנם הוא מוזכר בתפילת 'ועל .salary and the cost of printing לקבלת his העלון for ניתן areלפנות למייל הנסים', אך מצוות החג העיקרית – הדלקת כיום, ובמלא העוצמה. [email protected] שכתובתו: נרות החנוכהNewsletter מלמדים שאת Lachayal החושך Or מגרשים theדווקא על-ידי אור. בתחילה Producing מאירים Table 19 | Expenses for

מעט, אבל לא נשארים באותו במקום, אלא בכל יום מוסיפים עוד מעט אור. 2015 • 5775 - Annual Programming Plan )הרבי מליובאוויטש( ($) שווה Cost ציטוטItem Monthly Cost ($) Annual Writing and editing 400 4,800 Graphics 240 2,880 Printing 3,000 36,000 Mailing and Distribution 2,360 28,300 Annual Programming Plan - Holiday Newsletter 2,000 24,000 5775 • 2015 Total $8,000 $96,000

Or Lachayal - 38 39 The following is a summary of the seasonal programs planned for 2015 Table 20 | Summary of Seasonal Programs for 2015 (in Thousands of Dollars)

Number Budget for Name Description Units D. Holiday Programming for 2015 2015 Pre-holiday With the approach of and during the Jewish Holidays, Or Lachayal brings light, High Holiday Awareness educational Events 30 45 happiness and encouragement to IDF Soldiers, in the spirit of each holiday and its event customs. As noted above, the seasonal programs are in addition to the ongoing Distribution of programs. Shofar Project Shofars at IDF Shofarot 300 20 bases Building Sukkot Sukkot Bank Sukkot 100 200 at IDF bases Four Species (Arba Minim) Distribution of Sets 10,000 120 campaign the Four Species Simchat Beit Hasho’eva Simchat Beit Events 30 90 events Hasho’eva events Chanukah Candle Chanukah Program Events 50 100 lighting Chanukah Program – Distribution of Items 177,000 169 Items Chanukah Items Mishlochei Manot for IDF Distribution of Food 250,000 750 soldiers Mishlochei Manot parcels Distribution of Shmura Matza Project 250,000 750 Shmura Matza Matzot Total 2,244

Or Lachayal - 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan -

Annual Programming Plan - 5775 • 2015

The estimated number of mitzvot that will be fulfilled during these seasonal programs

Or Lachayal - is based on past experience. In most cases these are cautious estimates such that 40 they represent the minimum scope of each program and the mitzvott that could be 41 accumulated. The actual number of mitzvot will probably be higher.

Table 21 | Estimated Mitzvot from Seasonal Programs Name Mitzvot Coost per mitzvah ($) High Holiday Awareness 78,000 0.58 Shofarr Project 7,500 2.67 Sukkot Bank 700,000 0.29 Four Species Arba Minim) campaign 50,000 2.40 Simchat Beit Hasho’eva events 168,000 0.54 Chanukah Program 170,500 0.59 Chanukah Program – Items 240,000 0.70 Mishlochei Manot for IDF soldiers 500,000 1.50 Matza Project 500,000 1.50 Total 2,414,000

1. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur The estimated number of mitzvot that will be fulfilled during these seasonal programs is based on past experience. In most cases these are cautious estimates such that Or Lachayal holds two types of activities before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: they represent the minimum scope of each program and the mitzvot that could be High Holiday awareness gatherings and the distribution of Shofarot. accumulated. The actual number of mitzvot will probably be higher. The High Holiday season of heavenly mercy and forgiveness is a time of spiritual elevation. Our High Holiday awareness gatherings, held at bases throughout the Table 21 | Estimated Mitzvot from Seasonal Programs country before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, are attended by thousands of soldiers. Each event includes refreshments and a full meal, a comprehensive lecture on the Name Mitzvot Cost per mitzvah ($) significance of Rosh Hashanah, and a spirited Chassidic musical program, aimed at High Holiday Awareness 78,000 0.58 raising the soldiers’ spirits. The high point of these events is the outburst of true joy that brings down all barriers between from different backgrounds. This year Or Shofar Project 7,500 2.67 Lachayal is planning 30 High Holiday awareness events, at a total cost of $45,000. Sukkot Bank 700,000 0.29 Four Species (Arba Minim) campaign 50,000 2.40 To ensure that not even one soldier misses hearing the blowing of the Shofar, a large-scale project will be held to distribute 300 high quality Shofarot to army bases, Simchat Beit Hasho’eva events 168,000 0.54 at a cost of $20,000. Chanukah Program 170,500 0.59 The cumulative mitzvot from the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur programs totals Chanukah Program – Items 240,000 0.70 over 85,000, at an average cost of $1.62 per mitzvah. Mishlochei Manot for IDF soldiers 500,000 1.50 Matza Project 500,000 1.50 Total 2,414,000 Or Lachayal - 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan -

1. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Annual Programming Plan - Or Lachayal holds two types of activities before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: 5775 • 2015 High Holiday awareness gatherings and the distribution of Shofarot..

Or Lachayal - The High Holiday season of heavenly mercy and forgiveness is a time of spiritual 42 elevation. Our High Holiday awareness gatherings, held at bases throughout the 43 country before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippuru , are attended by thhousands of soldierrs. Each event includes refreshmments and a full meal, a comprehensive lecture on the significance of Rosh Hashanah, and a spirited Chassidic musical program, aimed at raising the soldiers’ spirits. The high point of these events iis the outburst of true joy that brings down all barriers between Jews from different backgrounds. This year Or Lachayal is planning 30 High Holiday awareness events, at a total cost of $45,000.

To ensure that not even one soldier misses hearing the blowing of the Shofar, a large-scale project will be held to distrribute 300 high quality Shofaroot to army bases, at a cost of $20,000.

The cumulative mitzvot from the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur programs totals over 85,000, at an average cost of $11.62 per mitzvah.

2. Sukkot Or Lachayal programming before and during Sukkot addresses three aspects of this festival: the erection of Sukkot on army bases – what we call the Sukkot Bank – the distribution of Arba Minim ( and sets), and Simchat Beit Hasho’eva musical events.

Sukkah Bank – Sukkot requires large-scale logistic preparations, including purchasing the sukkot, delivering them and erecting them at the various bases, which lack sufficient , and erecting them on site. Or Lachayal volunteers help in building the sukkot or in supplying equipment and construction materials, all in coordination with the IDF and according to its needs. With these sukkahs, IDF soldiers can enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of Sukkot, and feel at home. In preparation for Sukkot 5775, Or Lachayal plans to erect 100 gigantic Sukkahs on army bases throughout the country. Arba Minim Project – the Arba Minim are one of the most prominent symbols of Sukkot. In order to complete the holiday atmosphere, Or Lachayal distributes sets of lulav and etrog to soldiers on army bases. We plan to distribute 10,000 sets to IDF soldiers prior to Sukkot 5775. Simchat Beit Hasho’eva events are customarily held in evenings the of the Chol Hamoed days (intermediate) of Sukkot, with singing, dancing and music, as the Talmud tells us: “He who has never seen Simchat Beit Hasho’eva has never witnessed true joy.” Or Lachayal brings top Israeli musicians and bands to Simchat Beit Hasho’eva festivities at army bases. The happiness radiating from the faces of the soldiers fills us with energy for the entire year.

Table 22 | Summary of Sukkot Activities

Unit of Annual Number Average cost Activity Quantity measure cost ($) of Mitzvot per Mitzvah ($) Sukkot Bank Sukkot 100 200,000 700,000 0.29 Arba Minim Sets 10,000 120,000 50,000* 2.40 Simchat Beit Hasho’eva Events 30 90,000 168,000 0.54 gatherings Total $410,000 918,000 1.07 * Each lulav and etrog is used throughout the holiday and is used by several soldiers. Or Lachayal - 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan - Annual Programming Plan - 5775 • 2015 Or Lachayal - 44 45 3. Chanukah Throughout the eight days of Chanukah, Or Lachayal volunteers and employees dedicate themselves to bringing light to IDF soldiers, providing them with everything needed for the holiday and holding large-scale candle-lighting ceremonies at army bases. Thousands of sufgania jam-filled doughnuts, chanukiyot, and wind guards (to enable soldiers to light candles out in the open, in field training and combat regions) are distributed to the soldiers at army bases. The sparkle in their eyes says it all. Nothing beats the feeling of a soldier sitting at some isolated outpost, exposed to the wind and the cold, when all of a sudden a car pulls up, seemingly out of nowhere, blaring happy music, and a smiling Or Lachayal volunteer gives the soldier a warm jam-filled sufgania doughnut and lights Chanukah candles with him. Main Chanukah events include candle lighting, fire displays, Chassidic music, and warm sufganiot. Or Lachayal’s programming plan for 5775 includes 50 Chanukah events on army bases, with the participation of over 27,000 soldiers. We expect to facilitate 410,000 mitzvot during Chanukah, at an average cost of $0.65 per mitzvah.

Table 23 | Activity Program for Chanukah

Total cost Number of Item Quantity ($) Soldiers Candle Lighting Events 50 100,000 27,500 Distributing sufganiot 150,000 75,000 75,000 Distributing Chanukiyot 25,850 42,000 25,850 Distributing wind guards 2,000 44,000 2,000 Total $269,000 *100,000 *There is an overlap as some soldiers receive Chanukah items and sufganiot Or Lachayal - 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan - Annual Programming Plan - 5775 • 2015 Or Lachayal - 46 47 Or Lachayal - 5775 • 2015 Annual Programming Plan - Annual Programming Plan - 5775 • 2015 Or Lachayal - 48 49 distribution of 250,000 Mishloach manot, at a total cost of $750,000.. We anticipate that these Mishloach manot will lead to the fulfillment of over 500,000 mitzvot during Purim, at an average cost of $1.50 per mitzvah.

5. Passover: Matza Campaign Or Lachayal distributes packages of Shmura Matza to soldiers on numerous army bases. The matzot are distributed in special boxes of 3 matzot, specifically for Seder night. This is one of the largest projects run by Or Lachayal. Prior too Passover 2014 Or Lachayal distributed close to 70,000 boxes, totaling some 210,000. Our programmming plan for 2015 includes the distribution of 250,000 matzot, at a total cost of $750,000 and an average cost of $0.5 per mitzvah.

5. Passover: Matza Campaign E. Special projects

Or Lachayal distributes packages of Shmura Matza to soldiers on numerous army E. Special projects The special projects include a varietyy of activities for the physical and spiritual bases. The matzot are distributed in special boxes of 3 matzot, specifically for The special projects include a variety of activities for the physical and spiritual welfare of IDF soldiers and their commanders. Some of the activities are specifically Seder night. This is one of the largest projects run by Or Lachayal. Prior to Passover welfare of IDF soldiers and their commanders. Some of the activities are specifically for individuals, while others are for the benefit of the IDF in general. 2014 Or Lachayal distributed close to 70,000 boxes, totaling some 210,000. Our for individuals, while others are for the benefit of the IDF in general. programming plan for 2015 includes the distribution of 250,000 matzot, at a total cost of $750,000 and an average cost of $0.5 per mitzvah.

1. Taglit hospitality at a BBQ for the Soul event The Taglit (Birthright) project makes it possible for all Jewish young adults, aged 18 to 26 who were born and raised in the Diaspora, to come to Israel for a 10-day educational tour and initial acquaintance with the country. During their visit, Taglit participants tour the major sits in the history of the Jewish People and the State of Israel and meet with their Israeli contemporaries who speak their language – students and mainly IDF officers and soldiers in active service. Taglit encourages participants to discover new meaning in their personal Jewish Or Lachayal - identity and in their connection to and history. 5775 • 2015

The inclusion of Taglit participants in a BBQ for Annual Programming Plan - the Soul event and the unmediated meeting with soldiers in the field are expected to increase the impact of the spiritual experience during their visit to Israel, and their positive attitude toward their Jewish heritage. Annual Programming Plan - Simultaneous translation will make it possible 5775 • 2015 for Taglit participants who do not understand Hebrew to fully absorb the spiritual content in

Or Lachayal - the event. 50 51 The inclusion of BBQ for the Soul events in the Taglit itinerary has been approved by and the Eretz Yisrael. Taglit tour planners. It is not an exaggeration to say that this project has the potential to change the During 2015 some 200 Taglit groups of 50 participants each are expected to visit course of Jewish history by giving our soldiers an extra measure of success in their with Israeli soldiers in the framework of BBQ for the Soul events. The costs arising holy mission of defending the Land and its people. from the inclusion of Taglit groups in these events, such as the additional food, simultaneous interpreter and a small gift for the Taglit participants and the soldiers, This project, which we anticipate will take two years to complete, will entail the amount to $468,000 for the year. affixing, checking, repair and replacement of up to 150,000 mezuzot at an average cost of $50 per mezuzah. Or Lachayal will start by affixing mezuzot on the doorposts Table 24 – Costs for including Taglit groups in BBQ for the Soul events of rooms and buildings that lack a mezuzah altogether. We will then check and repair or replace those that are longer kosher. Each mezuzah will be encased in a durable Item Cost per event ($) Cost for the year cover to ensure adequate protection from the elements, so that the new mezuzot will Food 475 95,000 remain kosher for as long as possible. The total cost of this project is $7.5 million, Gift for participants 1,650 330,000 with half of this sum applicable in 2015. Simultaneous interpretation 215 43,000 Total 2,340 468,000 3. Tefillin cabinets In addition to the Tefillin Bank project for distributing pairs of tefillin to IDF soldiers on an ongoing basis, Or Lachayal has launched a special project to install 400 tefillin cabinets at IDF 2. Mezuzah Project bases and outposts throughout the country, with 10 pairs of mehudar tefillin in each cabinet. Or Lachayal has launched a unique project of historic proportions, to provide a kosher, mezuzah for every entryway at every IDF base and outpost. This project is part of Or Lachayal’s effort to ensure that any soldier who does not own tefillin will be able to fulfill the In addition to its religious significance, a mezuzah affords physical and spiritual mitzvah of tefillin every day. The cost of each cabinet, including protection to everyone who lives in a house, while at home or away. In his , the tefillin, is $4,870. The total cost of this project in 2015, for King refers to the mitzvah of mezuzah with the words, “Hashem will keep you 400 cabinets, is $1.95 million. in your goings and comings from now until eternity.” In fact, the Hebrew letters shin, dalet and yud, inscribed on every mezuzah, are an acronym for one of the names of G-d – Protector of the Doors of Israel. 4. Food Vouchers for Needy Soldiers “Check the tefillin and mezuzot,” was the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s frequent response Since 5772, Or Lachayal has channeled part of its resources to helping needy soldiers. when people came to him for advice, encouragement or a blessing of in many types The liaisons officers for each battalion give Or Lachayal a list of names. In the coming of crisis situations. It is hard to believe, but the last time the IDF undertook to check year, Or Lachayal will distribute NIS 200 vouchers to 3,500 needy soldiers. These and affix mezuzot on a large-scale basis was almost 40 years ago, in the wake of the vouchers are distributed twice a year, before Rosh Hashanah and before Passover, at raid on Entebbe in 1976. a total cost of $200,000. At that time, the Lubavitcher Rebbe instructed his emissaries to check the mezuzot at the homes of all the hostages on the hijacked plane, as well as the mezuzot of the 5. Brit Milah Sayeret Matkal (General Staff Reconnaissance Unit) soldiers taking part in the rescue If there’s one mitzvah that the Jewish People operation. Incredibly, all of the hostages had mezuzot that were not kosher. has kept throughout the ages more than any

other mitzvah, the mitzvah of Brit Milah holds Or Lachayal - Following the rescue operation and upon the Rebbe’s recommendations, and his this distinction. Even under the most difficult personal donation of 40,000 mezuzot to the IDF, the IDF Rabbinate checked and circumstances, at times faced with the threat either repaired or replaced all of the mezuzot throughout all the buildings at all IDF

5775 • 2015 of death, Jewish couples have kept this bases and outposts. That was the last time this was done. Annual Programming Plan - mitzvah. Avraham Avinu was the first person Since then, there has been no thorough inspection of mezuzot. There is a great need in the world to fulfill this mitzvah, following a to provide new mezuzot for the army. Furthermore, there are tens of thousands of direct order from G-d. places at IDF bases that have no mezuzot whatsoever! Due to budget constraints, the Various decrees were imposed on the Jewish People throughout the generations, IDF Rabbinate has not been able to undertake such a project. including the prohibition of Brit Milah. Even though this is not one of the mitzvot

Annual Programming Plan - Or Lachayal view this as a project of strategic significance, since kosher mezuzot that the Talmudic sages declared that a Jew must die rather than violate, parents of 5775 • 2015 are critical to the safety of every single soldier, on the ground, in the air, and at newborn baby boys were always meticulous about upholding this important mitzvah, sea. Providing our servicemen with Heavenly protection afforded by the mezuzah is wherever possible. crucial not only for the safety of the soldiers, but for the security of the Am Yisrael Or Lachayal - 52 53 Over the past two decades, following the immigration of hundreds of thousands of own Sefer Torah (…) and if he does not know how to write, others shall write for him. Jews from the Former Soviet Union and other countries, thousands of Jews living in Anyone who proofreads even a single letter in a Torah scroll is considered to have Israel were not able to perform this crucial mitzvah in its proper time. Many of these written one in its entirety.” young men are combat soldiers who are giving their best years to the security of the Jewish People and the Land of Israel. Over the course of 2015 Or Lachayal will sponsor the writing of two Sifrei Torah for the merit of IDF soldiers, such that every soldier and commander, whether in It is therefore only natural for Or Lachayal to take the initiative in this area, and for compulsory service or reserve duty, will have the merit of one letter in a Sefer Torah. the past several years, we have been helping soldiers fulfill this mitzvah. This project The cost of each Sefer Torah is $36,000. The total cost of this project is $72,000. has been undertaken in cooperation with the Brit Yosef Yitzhak organization, and in the coming year Or Lachayal plans to expand this project. 9. Field Relaxation Vehicle Due to the complexity of a brit milah in adulthood, Or Lachayal consults with top The IDF soldiers who are defending Israel’s borders doctors at leading medical centers, where the Brit Milahs are held in professional, are deployed throughout the length and breadth of medically safe and pleasant surroundings. Or Lachayal organizes a festive meal, which this country. Many of the soldiers are involved in is an integral part of the Brit Milah ceremony. exhausting jobs and/or training programs under The cost of each ceremony is $1,800, including a professional surgeon, outpatient difficult field conditions. The arrival of a mobile treatment and the traditional meal. Or Lachayal estimates that it will sponsor and help club room vehicle to the operations area, providing arrange 100 Brit Milah ceremonies every year, at a total cost of $180,000. soldiers with the chance to relax and be pampered will cheer up the soldiers and give them the extra strength they need to complete their work and training. A large highly maneuverable 6. Tzitzit for combat soldiers vehicle, outfitted with comfortable armchairs, a library, and plentiful refreshments “The greatest surprise for us, as army rabbis, was when we handed out tzitzit. ‘Rabbi, that can travel to the training areas will give the soldiers a well-needed break. give me a bunch of tzitzit, the whole tent wants one.’ ‘Here, take this. It’s better than a The cost of this vehicle is $180,000. ceramic vest,’ they shouted to one another. The entire bundle of tzitzit was snapped up as soon as we opened it. One young combat soldier who came to the was told that the tzitzit had all been distributed, that there was none left for him. He 10. Off-road Vehicle became despondent until one of the master sergeants, who was not going into battle, One of Or Lachayal’s goals is to do everything possible such that no IDF soldier took off his own tzitzit and handed them to the soldier. “Take mine. You need it now is geographically beyond the reach of the more than I do.” (as related by a battalion rabbi). organization’s programs and the joy that they Many religious and non-religious soldiers view tzitzit as an extra layer of protection bring. during combat missions. In order to improve Or Lachayal’s accessibility to In 2015 Or Lachayal plans to distribute 50,000 khaki or camouflage fabric tzitzit that soldiers everywhere throughout Israel, we are can be worn on the battlefield without attracting undue attention. The cost of each planning to purchase a highly maneuverable off- garment is $10, for a total project cost of $500,000. road vehicle that will enable Or Lachayal workers to reach every army base and outpost, in all field conditions. 7. Emotional Support for the Injured and Bereaved The cost of this vehicle is $100,000. Defending Israel’s borders claims a high price in injuries and fatalities. The Ofen brothers’ personal experience during their own recovery from the injuries they

sustained in a terror attack have heightened their awareness of the importance of 11. Special Projects Or Lachayal - bringing happiness and encouragement to injured IDF soldiers and bereaved families. Each year Or Lachayal sponsors a special project or event. The nature of this event and This project includes individual visits, gatherings, workshops and Jewish festival its content are decided based on events within the organization and current events 5775 • 2015 celebrations. These programs are held around the Jewish Holidays and throughout affecting Am Yisrael and the IDF. A large event is usually held in a main convention Annual Programming Plan - the year. hall somewhere in Israel, with the participation of thousands of soldier, and includes The budget for this program in 2015 is $100,000. plentiful refreshments, spiritual content and cultural content, provided by top-rate entertainers. The budget for special events and projects in 2015 is $180,000.

Annual Programming Plan - 8. Sefer Torah 5775 • 2015 The mitzvah of writing a Sefer Torah is the last of the 613 mitzvot in the Torah. According to the Rambam, “It

Or Lachayal - is a positive mitzvah for each and every Jew to write his 54 55 G. Administrative and Miscellaneous Or Lachayal requires a permanent office and staff to maintain its current level of programming. In order to ensure that the maximum amount of money actually reaches the soldiers, Or Lachayal limits its administrative and miscellaneous expenses to the bare minimum. The anticipated significant increase in Or Lachayal’s activities in the coming year is expected to incur a similar increase in management overheads. According to the Programming Plan, overhead costs in 2015 will total $443,000. Salaries constitute 60% of these expenses and an additional 16% goes to cover car expenses.

Table 25 | Forecast of Administrative and Miscellaneous Expenses for 2015

Item Monthly ($) Annual ($) Management and administrative salaries 22,200 266,400 Cellular telephone costs 250 3,000 Car expenses 5,730 68,800 Office rental fees 1,130 13,500 Electricity 130 1,500 F. Or Lachayal House Refreshments 130 1,500 Or Lachayal would like to purchase a building and refurbish it to suit the organization’s Office equipment 130 1,500 purposes. Or Lachayal House will be the main center for the organization’s educational Bookkeeping and Accounting services 1,150 13,800 programs and will have facilities for providing high quality hospitality for individuals Computer services 250 3,000 and groups, as well as many large rooms suitable for hosting discussion groups and Communication 130 1,500 lectures for soldiers. Production and publishing 750 9,000 The establishment of Or Lachayal House will create a strong foundation for the Documentation and copying 500 6,000 continued expansion of educational programs in Jerusalem and throughout the IDF. Contingency 2,920 35,800 Or Lachayal views the establishment of Or Lachayal House as a golden opportunity Professional consulting and oversight 1,500 18,000 to expand the organization’s hospitality programs and provide a home away from Total 36,900 443,300 home for the soldiers, continuing the tradition of Avraham Avinu. Inspired by the holy atmosphere of Jerusalem, within sight of Old City, the soldiers will benefit from warm hospitality and spiritually uplifting surroundings. Or Lachayal would like to provide overnight hospitality to some 50 soldiers a month, offering a home away from home to soldiers who need a meal and a place to sleep in Jerusalem. These soldiers, whether just passing through or whether they are lone Summary soldiers who will be hosted at Or Lachayal House on a regular basis, will find good Or Lachayal - Many donors, private individuals and organizations, believe in the vital and successful food, high standard shower facilities and comfortable sleeping arrangements. work undertaken by Or Lachayal for the welfare of soldiers in the Israel Defense

5775 • 2015 Or Lachayal has found a suitable building in a strategic location, near the heart of Forces. This recognition is expressed in the increased circle of donors who are Annual Programming Plan - Jerusalem, the Old City, the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall. The purchase cost making it possible for Or Lachayal to provide more and better services to the soldiers. of this building is $8.5 million and the refurbishing to meet Or Lachayal’s programming Despite the impressive increase in activities and new projects, as described above, Or needs will cost $1 million. Lachayal is not focusing only on these and is already considering additional programs and projects that will be implemented when appropriate funding becomes available. One of Or Lachayal’s generous donors has expressed his willingness to assist in the purchase and renovation of this building on a matching basis. The sum required We pray that our friends and supporters will help us to raise the necessary funding

Annual Programming Plan - for making all the programs and projects in the 5775 Programming Plan a reality, and

for implementing this project is $4.25 million for the purchase of the building and 5775 • 2015 $500,000 for the renovations. that we can continue to develop new avenues for activities for the benefit of the IDF and ultimately for all of Am Yisrael. The total cost of this project is $4.75 million. Or Lachayal - 56 57