April 2025

Beth Aaron, along with many other area shuls, will be marking Shabbat Chayal on the weekend of May 2-4, 
following Yom ha-Zikaron and Yom ha-Atzma'ut.  Each year, Shabbat Chayal is held in memory of Ilan Tokayer z”l,
who proudly served in the IDF as a Chayal Boded (Lone Soldier).

This year, Beth Aaron will be raising money to provide for the security needs of the Kitot Koninut
(Security Teams) of Kerem Shalom, which is one of the kibbutzim on the Gaza border.  Throughout this
Iron Swords war, Rabbi Fridman of the Jewish Center of Teaneck has gone on missions and spearheaded various
fundraising projects for Kerem Shalom as Teaneck has adopted this Kibbutz. Rabbi Rothwachs also has participated
in these missions.   

It seemed only appropriate for this year’s Shabbat Chayal to be dedicated towards helping the Kerem Shalom Security
Team, which is quite literally on the front lines, by providing them with the needed security items on the list sent to
Rabbi Fridman. The Kitot Koninut are considered part of the army, yet they are not allocated the complete list of
necessary items. It is our goal in Bergen County to raise $100,000 to cover the entire list of items.  

Each year, Beth Aaron marks Shabbat Chayal with a special Kiddush. Donors can choose from various levels of
sponsorship, with all monies going to this fundraising effort,  The actual food for the kiddush has been privately
sponsored.  A poster will be displayed at the Kiddush listing all sponsors. 

A speaker from Kerem Shalom will offer a talk on Shabbat Chayal.  This is a very special kibbutz,
where religious and non-religious Jews live together harmoniously, while ensuring that each group’s desires
and needs are met.

In addition, we will come together as a community for a breakfast on Sunday, May 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 
at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, when there will be additional speakers and a video about Kerem Shalom.

If you have questions about Kerem Shalom, please contact Rabbi Fridman, rabbi@jcot.org. 

If you have questions about the Kiddush, please contact Mordy Ungar, one of the Shabbat Chayal Co-Chairs, m_ungar2@yahoo.com.

Mordechai Ungar
Nechama & Steven Pudell
CB & Jeff Neugroschl
Shabbat Chayal Co-Chairs