JLIC Tel Aviv marked another milestone in their extensive Good for the World efforts this past weekend when they coordinated Shabbat meals for 65 IDF soldiers stationed in Syria. The May 2-3, 2025 operation brought warm, home-cooked food to troops some serving their fifth round of reserve duty far from home.
While the JLIC team previously delivered meals to soldiers on bases throughout Israel, in the Gaza Strip, and even in Lebanon, this marked their first food delivery to troops stationed in Syria. Rav Joe Wolfson lightheartedly acknowledged this achievement, asking, “Can we call this our first JLIC Syria event?”
In the heart of Tel Aviv’s Old North neighborhood, Rav Joe and Corinne Wolfson built JLIC Tel Aviv into a powerful force for good during Israel’s most challenging moments. Since the war began, they channeled their community’s energy into meaningful action that stretched across the country.
The scope of their work expanded far beyond their neighborhood. They visited and supported hostage families, offering comfort during unimaginable circumstances. They coordinated with soldiers, delivering essential goods and organizing transportation. When farms needed extra hands, they mobilized volunteers to ensure crops didn’t go unharvested.
As evacuees from both northern communities and the south sought refuge, the JLIC team created moments of normalcy. They entertained children in hotels, delivered meals, and provided practical support to displaced families trying to navigate their temporary living situations.
Their compassionate reach extended to diverse communities across Israel. They built meaningful connections with one Druze community, supported a Bedouin family in need, and created bridges between communities that might otherwise have remained separate.
The Syria meal delivery added another remarkable achievement to their list of Good for the World projects. The effort brought together multiple community partners: Olamit and her dedicated volunteers prepared all the delicious food, while Rifka B. and Adam D.’s “Mitzvah Mobile” ensured everything reached the soldiers.
Behind these successful food deliveries stands a dedicated team of community individuals who work tirelessly week after week. Olamit W. leads the cooking operation, coordinating a kitchen team that prepars nutritious and delicious meals for soldiers. Adam D. and his now-famous “Mitzvah Mobile” became the reliable transportation backbone, completing countless delivery runs to ensure the food reaches its destination. Meanwhile, Rifka B. and Gila B. continuously expand the initiative’s reach by identifying more military units in need of support and raising the necessary funds to sustain these efforts.
“It’s a privilege to help the brave soldiers who are standing guard and protecting us enjoy a Shabbat meal as delicious as the one we would have here in the comfort of Tel Aviv,” shared one of the organizers.
Though media attention on the conflict may have diminished, JLIC Tel Aviv recognized that many soldiers were still answering the call to service. The meal delivery acknowledged their ongoing sacrifice and brought a taste of home to their remote posting.
Throughout these challenging months, JLIC Tel Aviv demonstrated how a community organization could address immediate needs while strengthening the bonds between different parts of Israeli society. Their work illuminated how small acts of kindness, when multiplied across many people and many days, created meaningful impact in times of crisis.
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