Today is the birthday of Gilad Shaar, one of the three Israeli teenagers who was abducted and murdered by Hamas terrorists in 2014.
Every year, in honor of Gilad's birthday, his parents invite the people of Israel to come and bake cookies and distribute them to others in an initiative to bring people closer together.
Hundreds of children and teens from yeshivas, the Orthodox Union Center, and the Hodayot religious youth village participated in the campaign.
They made various cookies with notes with their names and ages and went out with the delicious cookies to the city centers, neighborhoods and shopping centers all over the country, from Kiryat Shmona to Dimona.
They also delivered the cookies to mayors, IDF soldiers, firefighters. and elderly people in various nursing homes.
Gilad's mother, Bat Galim, said that "the work and giving touches all of Israeli society strengthens and empowers the good sides of Israeli society and the Jewish people in the Diaspora. I believe that Gilad's smile continues from its place in the sky. The pain of bereavement that we carry with us every day, yet the amazing work and marking of the birthday by the people of Israel helps us move on and grow stronger."
She added: "The embrace we received this week from all over the world and from all over the world is amazing. This year, one woman took it upon herself to bake and distribute cookies to Lone Soldiers as well as haredi soldiers and joined in the distribution of cookies. Every year the circles expand and this strengthens us greatly."
"The story of the three kidnapped soldiers is a tragic story of young people whose lives were cut off on their way home, and we were asked to take part in a project initiated by Gilad Shaar's parents to commemorate him on his birthday on the 19th of Tevet. Giving which comes from empowering love allows all of us to strive higher and to be better people," said Eli Stein, the director of the Hodayot youth village.
OU Israel CEO Rabbi Avi Berman added, "In such events in Israel, [the people] is revealed at the height of its glory. Our students give hope and prove that the Israeli youth is a quality youth who works hard to do good. The unity of the people of Israel is the power that enables us to overcome every obstacle."
