Grills of Hope: Helping feed IDF soldiers amid the Gaza war - comment

My nephew Rafi Sandler exudes creativity and passion, entrepreneurship and empathy, and national pride. His strong sense of modesty prevents him from broadcasting the heartwarming stories of those whose lives he has touched. He has a magnetic charm which draws you in to enjoy his energy, his joyful songs, and humorous banter.

Before October 7, he was busy managing Kippalive, a successful men’s a cappella group. After the attack, he saw a need to help feed the hordes of soldiers enlisted to fight the war against Hamas and sprang into action. He teamed up with Ra’anana locals Samuel’s Catering and Debbie Nussbaum, who runs an events planning company. Nussbaum offered her expertise free of charge, and together with Samuel Peer and a group of enthusiastic volunteers, Grills of Hope provides mouth-watering barbecues to soldiers across the country (including Rafi’s younger brother, David.)

“It’s not just about the food; it’s about spreading smiles, boosting morale, and filling their hearts with positive energy, and ours as well,” Rafi says. “Every encounter leaves both sides feeling stronger and more hopeful.”

Feeding thousands of IDF soldiers

In 30 days, they organized 60 on-site barbecues and deliveries to over 7,500 soldiers on army bases and out in the field. “Our mission is to boost the morale of our beloved soldiers by sending them hot delicious food and teams of uplifting volunteers who barbecue, sing, dance, laugh, and share words of wisdom with them,” Nussbaum says.

Ari Kruger, a financial adviser from South Africa, is one of their biggest fundraisers. ”Soldiers and units are calling us all day. Our boys are coming out of Gaza or are deep on the northern border,“ he says. “Grills of Hope is averaging 15 barbecues a week for active combat soldiers.”

Rafi, a married father of three who is the son of South African immigrants, recently took his oldest son, Jonnie, and accompanied 127 children and their families – evacuees of Gaza border communities – to Budapest to watch Israel’s soccer team play in European Cup games against Switzerland and Romania.

Yigal Nisell, COO of the Combat Antisemitism Movement, who initiated the trip, got Israir to sponsor the airline tickets, Fattal Hotels to cover the hotel costs, and PassportCard to provide insurance. The Budapest Jewish Community and Beit Chabad hosted them with kosher meals and an uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat. While Israel tied 1-1 with Switzerland and lost 2-1 to Romania, the results were insignificant compared to what was gained by the “meaningful experience“ had by all. “The last four nights sitting in the hotel lobby with our people, hearing their stories, talking to them about life, meeting a resilience that I could never fathom before – this is how I know Israel is going to be okay,” Nissel said. “We are a nation of love and passion.”

Rafi says the trip buoyed the spirits of the families in immeasurable ways and enabled them to return home with renewed energy. “We left as strangers but returned as family,” one boy said in a video message of thanks. “The team lost, but our hearts won.”

Whether running Grills of Hope or singing songs of hope, Rafi is truly an inspiration. I am proud to be his uncle. Bravo!

To donate to Grills of Hope from abroad, click on bit.ly/GrillsofHope. For Israeli donors, click on https://www.shivtei.com/bbq-for-soldiers.