“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.”
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.
