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Friday, May 09, 2008

Photo Friday - Pina Chama Edition

As in past years, we all went to over to the Pina Chama to make a big mangal (BBQ) for all the soldiers who are on duty on Yom Hatzma'ut (Israel Independence Day) and serving in our area.  People from all over the Gush Etzion region donated food and paper goods, and a bunch of us cooked it all up and served it to these young heroes.

First let me give you some long overdue pictures of some of the things your generous donations purchased this past year when the Pina Chama was robbed):

A new water fountain and punch dispenser:

Punch_machine

A popcorn machine and hot water urn:

Popcorn_and_urn

A fridge...

Fridge

... and freezer.

Freezer_2

There is also a 'slushy' machine but since it wasn't big enough to keep up with the huge crowd we normally get on Yom Hatzma'ut, we put it away for safe keeping.

We did the first shift from about 11:00AM until 1:30 or 2:00PM.  The meant getting the grills going for the lunch rush:

Mangal_1

Here's me pre-sunstroke  :-)

Manning_the_grill

Other volunteers unpacked salads and sides as they were delivered from around the Gush:

Volunter_salads

And meals were assembled to be picked up and delivered to soldiers who couldn't leave their positions around the area:

Volunteers_packing_meals

Here's Ariella getting the kitchen ready for the rush:

Ari_on_duty

Even the soldiers manning the position at the nearby intersection (Tzomet HaGush) couldn't leave for lunch so their lunch was brought to them.  Hundreds of meals were delivered to soldiers all over the region.  Here are some soldiers unpacking crates of meals:

Crates_of_meals

Around noon the soldiers started arriving at the Pina Chama

Img_0475

And the  tables inside and out began to fill up

Idf_soldiers_1

Idf_soldiers_2

And of course where there are soldiers, there are bound to be officers

Officers_pina_chama

Yonah, whose job was loosely defined as 'greeting and saying goodbye to the soldiers', escorted one of the officers to his Jeep and got a photo op for his scrap book

Yonah_and_major

Afterward we all went home and had a mangal of our own with friends from Hashmonaim.  These friends adopted Lulu's sister, Izzy, and they brought her along for the visit.  The two puppies had a great reunion and a good time was had by all.  But those pictures will have to wait for next week.

Shabbat Shalom!

Posted by David Bogner on May 9, 2008 | Permalink

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What a generous way to spend Yom Haatzmaut. Kol Hakavod.

Posted by: Raizy | May 9, 2008 2:46:28 PM

Oh wow--what a great idea. Next year, I am totally in. Will you accept volunteers from Sin City? :)

Posted by: Gila | May 9, 2008 3:33:57 PM

Good to see the place is back up and running. No victory for the wicked.

Posted by: Karl Newman | May 9, 2008 3:48:09 PM

Very nice. And Ari & Yonah looked great!

Posted by: val | May 9, 2008 4:06:51 PM

Very nice. BTW, this post is included in the May 11 edition of Haveil Havalim.

Posted by: Jack | May 9, 2008 5:45:18 PM

Yowza.

*cough*

I mean, you and your family are so generous to do this every year. And I'm glad they were able to rebound after that lousy robbery last year.

Posted by: Tanya | May 9, 2008 6:25:41 PM

What a great thing to do on Yom Haatzmaut! We totally want in next year!

Posted by: Baila | May 9, 2008 6:41:27 PM

What a great thing to do on Yom Haatzmaut! We totally want in next year!

Posted by: Baila | May 9, 2008 6:41:35 PM

Such a nice thing that ya'll do, I love the pics. Yom Ha'atzmaut Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!

Posted by: SaraK | May 9, 2008 6:42:24 PM

Nice pix. Where's Gilad?

Posted by: Kiwi the Geek | May 9, 2008 7:15:12 PM

Great pictures, Kol Hakavod to you and the family, and everyone else who participated in such a great event

Posted by: David S | May 9, 2008 8:42:34 PM

Wow! Glad to see that everything turned out for the best.... maybe that is why it was robbed! Mysterious ways... Shabbat Shalom.

Posted by: Ken McDonald | May 9, 2008 9:50:55 PM

Tizku L'Mitzvot!!

Posted by: Rivka with a capital A | May 11, 2008 1:10:44 AM

Tizku L'Mitzvot!!

Posted by: Rivka with a capital A | May 11, 2008 1:10:52 AM

Oh it all looks so... full! Makes me a bit weepy. I am always amazed by how generous people can be to perfect strangers, and am ready to claw the eyes out of anyone who says we are redeemless as a species. WE ARE NOT. People can be very decent, very generous, very lovely.

Also, am in shock. Remember when your children were very little, not that long ago?? WHAT HAPPENED?!

Posted by: Lioness | May 11, 2008 11:21:06 AM

Great pics and thanks for the update.

Posted by: Ilana-Davita | May 11, 2008 3:47:42 PM

Yipeeee!

Posted by: Alice | May 12, 2008 3:38:42 AM

The best way to celebrate Yom HaAtzma'ut. It's only one of many reasons my husband and I are delighted to be moving to Efrat this summer. Perhaps we can join you next year!

Posted by: Shimshonit | May 12, 2008 10:59:10 PM

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