On the opposite end of Israel, at the very northern tip, is a tiny town called Metula. Here, Rabbi Moshe and Bracha Leah Sasonkin have been directing Chabad of Metula’s activities since 1989, “If you look on the map, you will see that Metula is like a pencil tip, pointing into Lebanon,” explains Bracha Leah Sasonkin. “Every 500 meters, there’s another group of soldiers in a jeep or hummer”. There are even soldiers stationed on the roof of the Sasonkin home.
The military commanders in Metula are very connected to the Sasonkins. “Last night, we learned that a unit would be heading on a difficult mission,” says Sasonkin. “So my daughters went to the large kitchen and cooked and packaged 70 fresh meals for them to eat upon return.”
The soldiers also turn to them for encouragement and spiritual connection. Many soldiers are eager to don tefillin, hear words of Torah or make positive commitments to bolster their faith.
Rabbi Moshe Sasonkin helps a soldier don tefillin
IDF soldiers dancing in the desert with Chabadniks
