While doing IDF (Israel Defence Forces) reserve duty on a mountain overlooking the Biblical city of Shechem (Nablus), someone showed me a week old newspaper showing how warm hearted supporters of Israel were sending gifts of Pizzas to front line soldiers, to show appreciation for their sacrifices and efforts protecting Jewish lives.The idea sounded good... it actually sounded mouth-watering. But then we thought- how many years had we been doing annual reserve duty in this area, and never once received such a gift?

After a while, back home (we live in the Elon Moreh community overlooking Shechem)- we checked the story out. Why do no pizzas get to the soldiers around Shechem? Apparently because there is a shortage of bullet-proof armored pizza delivery trucks- no one from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Netanya was going to drive into the heart of the Shomron (Samaria) to make a delivery!

Then we thought a little further: Now we live here, and certainly aren't afraid to make deliveries. And there are small, family run pizza stands in Elon Moreh, Har Bracha and Kedumim- Jewish communities surrounding Shechem. Why not take this great idea and put it into practice here, in the heart of Israel?

So that is how www.shechem.org/pizza was born!         We will try to keep this as simple as possible:

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To all our friends and supporters:
Due to personal difficulties- we are unable at this time
(27 Tevet, 5766/January 27, 2006)
to continue delivering your gifts to our brave soldiers.
Hopefully, we will find a solution, and be able to continue in the future.
In the meantime- we are leaving this page up as a tribute to this important Mitzvah we were privileged to perform with your generous help!

Gershon and Menachem
pizza@shechem.org
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Don't forget to include a note to be delivered with the pizza! We promise (bli neder) to do our best to deliver a fresh, hot, Kosher pizza and bottle of soda to IDF soldiers stationed around Shechem, within 12 hours, and to report back to you by e-mail: who received it and under what circumstances including photos of the delivery!. {orders received on Shabbat or Holidays will of course be processed the next day}

That's all there is to it.

[questions or ideas: write to Gershon - pizza@shechem.org]
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Now picture this: its about 10 o'clock on a cold, dark night.
Sitting by the side of the road, a 5 minute break from patroling.
Dinner from cold IDF rations is just a bad memory.
Eyes are closing with fatigue.
Have to stay alert, to defend Israel, to protect Jewish lives!
Suddenly a car arrives from the nearby Elon Moreh.
Hey guys- how about a hot pizza- there's a slice here for each of you.
No, it's not from us- a friend from America sent it for you- he said to tell you:
"Thank you!"