I'd like to tell you about the power of a few women with knitting needles.
Last year, a small group of handcrafters in Gush Etzion wanted to do something for soldiers. One of the women, Channah Koppel, had a son serving in the paratroopers so she looked into it and discovered that they could really use some warm, well-fitting hats. She developed a knitting pattern, sent out some emails and the project took off. Since then, people from around the world have been sending Channah hand knit hats for soldiers. Last year, they outfitted an entire brigade serving in the Golan and on the Hermon.
Sept 2009: Click here for an update & personal shana tova letter from Channah.
Jan 2009: Click here for a personal thank you letter to all you knitters!
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Now, Channah and her group have decided to team up with "A Package from Home" to get hats to "chayalim bodedim" (lone soldiers without family in Israel). Just this past week, "A Package from Home" packaged 175 hats for soldiers serving in Golani and tank units. When they came to pick up the packages and saw the hats they were thrilled. The hats that soldiers currently receive from the army of made of a synthetic fleece-type fabric that's nowhere near as warm and snug. One of the soldiers asked me to make sure the packages he gets all have hand knits hats. The hats provide physical warmth and emotional support and we feel good knowing that somewhere tonight, a soldier doing guard duty in the cold will be wearing a warm hand knit hat, made with love. (see attached pictures). The weather is getting colder time is of the essence. Our goal for the coming winter is to get an additional 2000 hand knit hats to lone soldiers serving in combat units. If you are a knitter or know someone who loves to knit and wants to help keep our soldiers warm this winter, please see attached pattern. All hats must be made to pattern in order to conform with army regulations. The finished caps can be sent to me at 12/63 Keren Kayemet L'Israel Street, Jerusalem, Israel 92428 or to Channah Koppel at POB 3081, Efrat, 90435, Israel. They will be included in our winter packages which we will deliver directly to our soldiers. The cost of the wool is approximately 10 shekels in Israel and $ 4 in the US. What a small price to pay for the comfort and warmth it will bring to our soldiers as they guard our borders from our enemies. Click here for Knitting instructions for a Simple Soldier's Hat. Two versions are listed. Click here for crocheting instructions for a Simple Soldier's Hat. Click here for an article from the Leeds (UK) Jewish Telegraph, 5 Dec 2008 For more information contact: Barbara Silverman |
    
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Thank you for all your help!