Warm welcome for IDF Colonel who serves up Torah

This past weekend, several Five Towns and Far Rockaway area shuls played host to several speaking engagements sponsored by Panim el Panim. The Israeli education organization, which effective September 2011, became the official provider of Torah education for the Israel Defense Forces, is proud to have connected tens of thousands of secular Israelis with their Jewish roots.

Under the direction of IDF Colonel (Res) Geva Rapp, a 26 year officer, Panim el Panim provides social, educational and informative programs in 55 secular high schools, IDF bases and installations and on 60 kibbutzim throughout Israel. “The importance of Jewish awareness among our soldiers cannot be overstated, not just for the religious soldiers, but for every soldier in the IDF,” says Rapp. “It gives us the answer to the question, ‘Why am I here, what is the significance of the daily work I am doing?’ Rapp considers the work of Panim el Panim to be an essential and added motivator for many IDF soldiers. “A simple soldier that everyday works hard and has difficulty to regain his motivation needs this kind of gas to refuel his engine.”

“They are unbelievable,” says Rabbi Heshy Blumstein of the Young Israel of Hewlett who’s shul featured a presentation by Col Rapp at their melave malka this past Motzei Shabbos. “The video presentation was very powerful and moving, and it’s refreshing to see soldiers themselves who care.”

Eugene Liebovitz, who spoke at the melave malka and at the Sunday breakfast held at Congregation Knesseth Israel, the white shul, is a child Holocaust survivor, and was a chayal boded, a lonely soldier. Liebovitz was a commander in the IDF in the Haifa region from 1947- 1949. “Geva is me thirty years ago, it’s a joy to see someone like Geva continue what I started, ” says Liebovitz. Liebovitz who splits his time between residences in Jerusalem and Aventura in Florida is deeply committed to the organization. “Panim El Panim is the future of Israel. They are really the ones that teach the kids what they weren’t taught in school.”

Five town and Far Rockaway residents, Jay Kestenbaum, and Yaakov Safier were two f the many in attendance to hear Col Geva Rapp speak, watch the inspiring video, and support the organization. “They do amazing work all throughout Israel, and on the bases,” remarked Kestenbaum. Yaakov Safier described witnessing IDF soldiers in Israel celebrating Shabbat for the first time ,as a result of Panim el Panim’s programming, as a “goosebump experience.” “Anything that we can do for the IDF soldiers while they are in the army is so positive, and lends itself to a more committed soldiers… they learn what they are protecting, what they are fighting for.”

Rabbi Kenneth Hain, of Congregation Beth Sholom , where Col Rapp spoke on Shabbos was also in attendance at Sunday’s breakfast and praised the organization’s work. “They do incredible groundbreaking work in bridging the worlds that need to be brought together. Geva is incredibly effective, and should be encouraged, especially now in light of current tensions. Their work sends the message that the army, the one entity that brings most of Israel together can be the one place where a deeper connection for Israel to connect with Judaism.”

American Friends of Panim el Panim founder Dov Goldman

encourages people to get involved to help spread the good news from Israel that Panim el Panim uniquely represents. “we want everyone to know that Israelis of all stripes, religious and ‘secular’, are coming together and sharing their ancient Jewish heritage.

Dov Goldman can be reached at 646-450-5991 or at Dgoldman@panimelpanim.org