Liel Gidoni z”l was a commander in the Givati brigade of the Israeli army who was tragically killed in Gaza in 2014. He was well-liked amongst the soldiers and he used to tell them every morning, during line-up, “Smile because a smile is happiness and happiness gives us the strength to go on.”
In order to honor Gidoni’s memory an organization Aruchat Esser or “Lunch at Ten,” was founded by his family together with Rabbi Ohr Ziv, a local Chabad Rabbi in Katamon, Jerusalem. Together, they decided to make sure that Liel’s smile continues to shine for many more years to come.
“Aruchat Eser” distributes 1000+ sandwiches to children in need everyday in schools throughout the city, during lunch break at 10:00. Every morning a team of Aruchat Esser volunteers meet at 06:30 and prepare the sandwiches which are distributed to school principles throughout the city. They then ensure that those sandwiches reach the kids that need them during lunch break at 10. Every morning a team of Aruchat Esser volunteers meet at 06:30 and prepare the sandwiches which are distributed to school principles throughout the city. They then ensure that those sandwiches reach the kids that need them during lunch break at 10. The sandwiches are made from fresh food bought the day before and each day something new is provided. They are also provided in a discreet way to protect the children’s privacy. In addition, an extra food package is delivered on Fridays to ensure that these kids have something to eat on shabbat.
With all the challenges that people in Israel and around the world are going through at the moment, this initiative provides a great example of how one person can make such a big difference!