Kibbutz Ma'oz Tzur Commemorates Memory of SGT Gary Zolat

Ma'oz Tzur residents and BMC(I) members gather to honor Sgt. Gary Zolat.

(February 28, 2025) Last Sunday, 23rd February 2025, a ceremony was held to honor the memory of Sgt. Gary Zolat, a B'nei Menashe IDF soldier who fell in the line of duty in Gaza, November last year. (Our newsletter had covered it. Interested readers may click on this link to read: https://www.degelmenashe.org/post/a-hero-of-israel-is-laid-to-rest). The memorial was attended by the residents and officials of the B'nei Menashe Council. It was observed solemnly with recitation of the Psalm and lighting of memorial candles and followed by a meal. The meal was generously sponsored by Dagan Zolat, father of late Sgt. Gary Zolat. Ma'oz Tzur and BMC(I) joins the community in honoring Gary's bravery and sacrifice which will be remembered for times to come.

Sgt. Gary Zolat.

MA'OZ TZUR CHILDREN RECEIVE CLOTHINGS SENT BY DEGEL MENASHE

Children of Ma'oz Tzur with smiles and new clothes.

(February 23, 2025) Ma'oz Tzur's children received their first batch of clothing sent by Degel Menashe just in time for Shabbat last week. Another package had also been sent earlier and is expected to arrive soon. Degel Menashe will also be preparing a few other packages to be sent as it receives donation of clothes, shoes and other similar things. In the past year or so, Ma'oz Tzur has seen it's first synagogue come up and a school recently established. Electricity had already been set and a 2-kilometer water pipeline laid in November 2024 to ensure a regular water supply. It is on it's way to become a community on its own and our newsletter was informed that it would apply to the B'nei Menashe Council, India as a full-fledged member very soon.

The package with children's clothing.

In front of their school.

Clothes being distributed.

PLANTING TREES AT MA'OZ TZUR FOR T"U B'SHVAT

(February 16, 2025) Ma'oz Tzur residents gathered in their modest numbers to commemorate T"U B'Shvat on a cold early February morning, last Thursday. Saplings of 50 lemon trees were distributed and planted by each and every family. Earlier, pomegranates, oranges, gooseberry and other local varieties had been planted over the last year or so culminating to T"U B'Shvat, this year. This is keeping in mind to educate not only the children but all residents about their environments and how it impacts their lives. Learning to co-exist with it. Ma'oz Tzur recently had reopened its school and its mission, philosophy is to impart an all-round education, beyond just the formal ones. Seed sowing season will begin in another couple of months and with hopes that it will be a fruitful year. Degel Menashe will strive to support each and every endeavor as it has done in the past. Let this new year for trees forbode good tidings for all Israel, B'nei Menashe and off course, Ma'oz Tzur!