Nine years ago, a young yeshiva student set out to the hills of Hebron to bring gift packages to the Soldiers on active duty there on the eve of the Purim festival. What would have been a good deed turned this young mans life around. Out of the darkness he was ambushed by Hamas terrorists who sprayed his car with bullets. Critically wounded in the neck and shoulder Menahem Ofen was saved by the very soldiers he came to greet. Menahem with his lifeblood seeping made a solemn promise, to return and spread happiness and light ('OR') to the soldiers of the IDF wherever they may be. Menahem Ofen survived and out of that dark night was born OR LACHAYAL  literally a light to the soldier.

Or Lachayal is a registered charity in Israel and the US. It has the approbation and backing of the IDF command and is reknowned for being wherever it is needed even at the battlefront, at all times, and in all weathers. Or Lachayal specialises in and acts as a bridge between the Soldiers and their 'brothers and sisters' from the Jewish World outside of Israel, and organises events at army bases to facilitate this important bond. Although leaning on the strength of Jewish Tradition, Or Lachayal is unaffiliated to any organisation and seeks to look after the welfare of our dear soldiers in an apolitical and non-denominational manner.

Record breaking Chanukah:  16,400 IDF Soldiers celebrate Chanukah on bases throughout Israel with Or Lachayal.

 A wide sweeping operation was orchestrated by Rabbi Menachem Ofen and his Or Lachayal organization that set up a military style 24 hour "Command Center" to provide a wonderful Chanukah experience to many soldiers who otherwise would not have been able to enjoy the Festival of Lights.

Many hundreds of soldiers participated in each one of many celebrations held during the week of Chanukah. Soldiers from the Air force, Navy, and in particular the Land Forces joined with Or Lachayal and many volunteers from the 'Temimim" Yeshiva in celebrating the festival. Each celebration started with a mass Tefillin rally followed by a grand Chanukah lighting. During the celebrations soldiers heard a recording of the Rebbe on the importance and meaning of Chanukah as well as Rabbi Ofen's own personal miracle story. At the end of the night the soldiers shook the ground with their shouts of "Shema Yisrael" and "She Yibanei Beit Hamikdash", and broke into circles of dancing led by a crew of professional dancers and jugglers.

It is estimated that besides the wonderful effect of supporting our brave young men and women in uniform, over forty thousand (!) other mitzvot were performed during the week by our soldiers. Surely our Father in Heaven is exceedingly pleased and will bless Am Yisrael in his loving kindness.

The Or Lachayal Organization led by Rabbi Ofen works tirelessly throughout the year for the benefit of the soldiers and officers of the IDF. All the activities fall within the aegis of the Friends of The IDF where Rabbi Ofen is a veteran volunteer. We would like to acknowledge the management of the Friends of The IDF and the Army Rabbinate for their assistance and support in our endeavors over Chanukah.