eLuna.com hosted dinner for a group of 50 soldiers from the Tank Corps as they were on their way from Gaza to their new station in Jenin. The funds for this program were raised by Congregation Shaaray Tefila of North Miami Beach and "The Meal Appeal" sponsored by the Manchester Community, England. The meal was held at the eLuna kosher restaurant Steak Inn, in Petach Tikva. This restaurant is very close to the highway, they serve the right menu for hungry soldiers and they can host a large crowd on the second floor.

Harel, the commander of the group, heard about our program and contacted me about hosting his unit. Harel cares for his soldiers like a father. He is responsible, dependable, and he worked very hard to make sure that this event was a success. If a mother has to send her kid to the army, she would want to know that his commanding officer is a guy like Harel.

The lunch was scheduled for 12:30pm. Of course this is the army and everything is delayed, but yesterday was unusual. Delay followed delay, several unexpected things occured and they ran very late.

The 12:30 lunch was postponed to 2:00, then to 4:00 and finally at 5:00pm Harel called to say that they were on the bus and on their way. They hadn't eaten all day, they were tired and hungry (and very dirty he added) and they had a long night ahead of them setting up at the destination.

Never was a meal more appreciated than yesterday. We had arranged for a very full 3-course menu plus salads. I wasn't sure whether this would be overkill, but as it turned out in this case it was right on the money. The event was a great pat-on-the-back to these soldiers. Harel didn't know what to do with himself, he was so appreciative. The soldiers were thrilled.

I don't know where I have seen a more disciplined group. They were polite. They were obviously ravenously hungry but they sat in their seats the entire time, each with their guns strapped to their bodies. When the waitresses collected the dirty plates they were so clean I couldn't tell them from the unused plates! Despite it all they were in complete control. It was an amazing site that impressed even the owner of the restaurant.

I gave a very short talk to the group (between the appetizer and the main course) about your fund raising effort. I explained to them that this dinner is an expression of the support of the diaspora communities for chayalei Tzahal. I explained that worldwide Jewry is very grateful to our soldiers who give 3 (and more) years of their lives to defend Israel, which is sacred to all Jews, all over the world. Donations are often focused on the needy soldiers but this program is for all the soldiers equally, in recognition of the contribution that every soldier makes. This got a lot of applause.

I want to thank you personally for funding this amazing event. I hope I have conveyed how special it was and how appreciative the soldiers were. This event filled a need yesterday, and it was just the right thing atthe right time. I feel honored to have been a part of it. Lets hope that our future efforts will be as well received.