Mizrachi Chicago Pina Chama in Itamar Dedication and Hachnasat Sefer Torah in the Shomron - July 30, 2023

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Picture Gallery
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Thank you to everyone who made these two extraordinary projects possible:
  • The officers and members of Mizrachi - Religious Zionists of Chicago, led by Dr. Oren Lakser
  • The loyal supporters in Chicago and beyond who have donated to the Pina Chama and its ongoing maintenance, and those who have contributed to the Sefer Torah project​
  • To the residents of Itamar who inspire us
  • and to the Chayalim Bodedim from Chicago of whom we are so enormously proud
  • To Yashar LaChayal and Oz Ve’Hadar for being amazing partners

Chayalim Bodedim from the Chicago area
As part of the Pina Chama project, we want to include on this
Honor Roll
ALL Chayalim Bodedim, past and present, from the  Chicago area.
If you know a Chayal whose name should be included, please ask them to  use the link below to document their name and contact information. Due to potential security concerns, we cannot include a name without positive confirmation of permission from the Chayal. ​

Shlomo Ashkanazy
Matan Bauman
Ori Bauman
Malkaya Bell
Ronia Bell
Max Brasch
Michael Chez, a"h
Laura Chuven
Zach Cohn
Josh Cooper
Ephraim Dissen
Eitan Drapkin
Dennis Gelbart
Jeremy Glickman
Yael Gluck
Daniel Gottesman
Yaakov Greenberg
Kobi Greenfield
Naftali Greenfield
Avi Gutstein
Naomi Gutstein
Nesanel Gutstein
Reuven Isaacs
Rafi Jacobson
Mollie Jakofsky
Amir Kakon
Nirel Kakon
David Kandelman, a"h
Gabi Katz
Reuven Kirshner
Shmuel Kirshner
Tal Kohn
Elazar Kolom
Zev Lafer
Dena Lebowitz
Meir Liberman
Raanan Loew
Yaakov Loew
Yoni Loterstein
Ceren Maeir
Gil Maeir
Akiva Margulis
Ariella Matanky
Gene Matanky
Jack Matanky
Nachum Meyers
Eliyahu Meir Meystel
Ezra Miller
Max Miller
Ira Miretzky
Daniel Otani
Rami Pinchot
Bentzion Rabin
Yosef Meir Rabin
BZ Rosenstein
Rafi Rubin
Rachel Russman
Sam Schneiderman
Hartley Schwartz
Melissa Sirt
Josh Swatez
Binyamin Zev Steinberg
Eitan Tannenbaum
Ranan Tannenbaum
Gavriel Weiss
Lev Zuckerman
Noam Zuckerman
Talia Zuckerman
Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama
​Directly supporting IDF soldiers by the thousands!

The building of the 
Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar was made possible by donations from scores of donors, including a generous grant from ​Kenny and Rana Cooper - the Judith Marks Trust, to whom we express our heartfelt Hakarat HaTov.

Maintenance costs for the month of
Av 5784

have been sponsored
in memory of

Shlomo Moshe and Frieda Goldberg
Eliyahu Chaim and Esther Devorah Dachman

by their children
Dr. Avy and Yisraela Dachman
  

The Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar
A small building making a giant impact

In March 2022, we had the pleasure of visiting the Mizrachi Chicago Pina Chama in Itamar. We thought that we would be happy to finally get a chance to see it after its being in operation for over a year and a half. But the emotions went way beyond simple joy. We had an overpowering feeling of pride in what the Mizrachi community in Chicago was able to accomplish, especially during the pandemic.

Upon arriving we were impressed by four energetic Chayalim who were using the Pina Chama for its main purpose, allowing them to rest for a few minutes, and recharge their batteries (and those of their cell phones).

They expressed tremendous Hakarat HaTov for the Pina Chama and explained how it is utilized constantly. Aside from soldiers’ rest breaks, it has quickly become a focal point for the security mechanisms of the entire area. Situated alongside the substantial security fence, many IDF gatherings, stagings and programs begin at the Pina Chama, all of which enhance safety.

We met two active members of the local Security Patrol who work together with the IDF in protecting the Itamar community. They too, expressed genuine and abundant feelings of appreciation (watch the video --->)

We had the pleasure of meeting a couple, both retired, who volunteer to regularly provide food and drinks to the soldiers. They had come by just then with a light lunch for the soldiers. It was clear that to the residents of Itamar, the Pina Chama provides a most welcome and tangible increase in the feeling of safety and protection, and an abiding appreciation for our Mizrachi Chicago community who have taken it upon themselves to help protect them.

Finally, we were told of a planned improvement: paving the driveway and parking area. Given the generosity of our Chicago Mizrachi community, we are sure that this will be a reality soon (details to come). Aside from the IDF large buses being able to more easily and safely utilize the Pina Chama, it will help us to arrange for our gala dedication ceremony at some point in time in the not-too-distant future, B’Ezrat HaShem!

We can all be justly proud of that which we have built and continue to support. It represents a real milestone of accomplishment of our Religious Zionist mission.

Thank you all for making this possible, and special thanks to Leon Blankrot, Moshe Hirt, and the rest of the Yashar LaChayal team, our partners in the Pina Chama.

Rabbi Jerold and Jocelyn Isenberg

On November 17, 2019
​over 150 people attended 

a Dessert Reception  honoring Chicago's  ​​Chayalim Bodedim -
​IDF Lone Soldiers - and their families

The evening's highlights included:
  • The announcement, by Dr. Oren Lakser that we have reached our minimal goal needed to establish the Pina Chama. Additional funds raised will be used to enhance the structure and furnishings, making it an extraordinarily welcoming place where IDF soldiers can always stop by for a well-deserved break - a reflection of the outstanding commitment of Chicagoans to the men and women of the IDF and the State of Israel. 
  • Divrei B'racha inspiring message from  Rabbi Yona Reiss (click here to listen)
  • A congratulatory letter from the President of the State of Israel, The Honorable Reuven Rivlin, read by Rabbi Dr. Leonard Matanky (see below)
Chicago has always been known as among the most Zionist communities outside of Israel, ​and we are so excited to partner with Yashar LaChayal and share in a corner of Israel by helping our Nation’s soldiers.​

PAST MIZRACHI RZC CHAYAL BODED INTERVIEWS​
October 6, 2021 UPDATE
Directly supporting IDF soldiers by the thousands!

Since it became operational last summer, the Mizrachi Chicago Pina Chama, dedicated in honor of Chayalim Bodedim from the Chicago area, has become a focal point for the IDF soldiers and the community of Itamar.
Below is a recent letter from Yashar LaChayal with whom we are proud to partner in the Mizrachi Chicago Pina Chama and who state that "The Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar has become a model for all of our other pinot."

Over the past year, the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar has been very busy. The IDF uses the Pina as one of the main locations in the region for gatherings and meetings for the soldiers and officers serving in the area.
This past year over 15,000 soldiers who were on patrol stopped by the Pina to have coffee and refresh before continuing on their patrols. 
Due to corona, the IDF decided to host many events at the Pina. It has a comfortable outdoor space which allows the IDF to host large events. An additional 5,000 soldiers attended conferences and educational days at the Pina in Itamar.
The Pina Chama is also located in a very strategic location. On any given night, hundreds of Special Forces came to the Pina to prepare for their missions in the neighboring villages.
Units that served in the area:
1)            Golani Brigade
2)            Kfir Brigade- Nachshon Battalion
3)            Kfir Brigade- Duchifat Battalion
4)            5 different Reserve Battalions
5)            Border Police
Food distributed:
1)            500 bags of coffee
2)            200 boxes of tea
3)            600 bottles of cold drinks 
4)            500 packs of cakes and cookies
In addition to the food we distributed, volunteers from the Itamar community brought food for the soldiers throughout the week especially on Friday for Shabbat.
 
We would like to say thank you for all your support. The Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama in Itamar has become a model for all of our other pinot.
We look forward to continue working with the Chicago Mizrachi community in helping to provide for the IDF soldiers who sacrifice so much to protect the Jewish people.

YASHAR LACHAYAL 
At an appropriate time after the coronavirus restrictions have been removed, we will hold the official “Chanukat HaPina” attended by Itamar residents, former and visiting Chicagoans, dignitaries and representatives from the USA and Israel, and of course, past and present Chayalim. At this grand event, we will unveil the official plaque(s) and signage that will be a permanent part of the Pina Chama.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Strategic location - Itamar, a religious community in the Shomron (population 1238) boasts an educational system which includes a kindergarten, an elementary school for boys and girls, and several institutions of secondary education and higher learning which attract Jewish students from all over the country to come study, often before enlisting.
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​Itamar is in one of the Shomron’s most sensitive and tense regions. The community is five kilometers southeast of Shechem (Nablus) and close to many other Palestinian villages. There is an army presence in the area, as well as a large base nearby and other small outposts spread around. Unfortunately, residents of Itamar have experienced more than their share of terrorist attacks.
The Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama sits at a strategic location next to the security fence in the back of the community, along the patrol route that soldiers routinely use.

The Pina Chama is between the entire community of Itamar and the nearby Arab village of Awarta. On March 11, 2011, two terrorists from Awarta crossed into Itamar through the valley behind the community, made their way up the side of the hill, and entered the home of the Fogel Family, where they murdered 5 members of the family, including an infant, in their beds.

The two terrorists entered Itamar by passing over the exact area that is now being prepared for the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama. Recently, another attempted infiltration was thwarted a few meters from the same area.

We built the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama, and at this specific location, to:
  • 1. Deter – knowing that the soldiers have a permanent position in this spot from where they can look down on the valley will deter potential terrorists from the neighboring village.
  • 2. Secure – soldiers patrol around the security fence several times a day. Having a Pina Chama at the back entrance to the community will add another layer of security to the already existing system and encourage patrolling soldiers to spend a little more time in this area that might otherwise be neglected. This will contribute to the residents of Itamar feeling safer and more protected.
  • 3. Relax – This location provides a spectacular view of the hills and valleys surrounding the community, enhancing resting soldiers’ feeling of refreshing both their bodies and souls. Due to being slightly farther away from the center of the community, there is more space and the grounds are largely untouched, leaving unspoiled the beautiful surroundings.
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  • 4. Connect –The Pina Chama will be wonderful for community activities with the soldiers, such as Chanukiot lightings, Yom HaAtzmaut barbeques, Yom Tov programs and more! One highly-motivated family in the community has volunteered to take care of the Pina Chama, assuring cleanliness and being well stocked with coffee and treats for the brave young men and women who protect them day and night. The family will help Yashar LaChayal to coordinate with Mizrachi RZC in providing ongoing maintenance support. The community is excited to plan events for the soldiers and to form a stronger connection with those protecting them.
  • 5. Memorialize – the home of the Fogel family can be seen from this location. The Pina Chama will serve as a reminder of the importance of security and awareness, as well as the need for prayer that nothing of the sort will ever happen again.
  • 6. Utilize – the Pina Chama will be used several times each day by the routine patrol units who drive along the security fence. In recent weeks, patrolling soldiers have been very excited to hear about the upcoming construction. The Pina Chama will mostly be used by patrols of 3-6 soldiers who usually have up to 10 minutes to make coffee, have a snack, cool off, and then continue on their patrol.
  • 7. Honor – A major motivation for Mizrachi - Religious Zionists of Chicago to undertake the building and maintaining a Pina Chama is to honor their own, amazing Chayalim Bodedim – Lone Soldiers originally from the Chicago area. These exceptional men and women have extended themselves to the maximum of their comfort zone and beyond, to serve in the IDF. By establishing this Pina Chama, offering shelter and sustenance for Chayalim, we provide them with some Menuchat HaNefesh and Menuchat HaGuf just as they, and their comrades, provide the same for the residents of Itamar and all of Klal Yisrael.

​Structure - The Pina Chama, with its strong panel boarding shell will stand strong against the harsh weather conditions of the Shomron – brutal summer sun, extreme winds, and winter’s heavy rains. The Pina Chama is fully equipped with windows, a kitchenette, air conditioning, ceramic flooring, along with tables and seating.

​Make no small plans - As the Pina Chama is endowed by Mizrachi - Religious Zionists of Chicago, it was decided to “make no small plans”. Consequently, additional donations were secured to create a beautiful outdoor pergola over a large landscaped patio space to make this already pastoral area look like a pit-stop in paradise. The soldiers can relax on benches and picnic tables beneath the shade while enjoying the magnificent view of rolling green hills and the clear blue skies of the Shomron. A remarkably gorgeous venue for the IDF’s soldiers and Itamar’s citizens.
Official Dedication Event - At an appropriate time after the coronavirus restrictions have been removed, we will hold the official “Chanukat HaPina” attended by Itamar residents, former and visiting Chicagoans, dignitaries and representatives from the USA and Israel, and of course, past and present Chayalim. At this grand event, we will unveil the official plaque(s) and signage that would be a permanent part of the Pina Chama.

Mizrachi - Religious Zionists of Chicago, thanks all our supporters and donors whose contributions have turned this dream into a reality. We express our appreciation for the efforts, expertise and talents of our partners at Yashar LaChayal, its Executive Director Leon Blankrot and Program Coordinator Nir Sinay, for their expertise, planning and implementation of this Pina Chama and all their other very worthwhile projects on behalf of the soldiers of the IDF.
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We thank HaShem Yitborach for the profound privilege of creating the Chicago Mizrachi Pina Chama and feel blessed to be able to share in this extraordinary mitzvah.