IDF Lieutenant Colonel Shares Stories of Courage
Lt. Col Daniel Jacob visited with the Jewish community and area churches to relay stories from the frontlines of the war in Gaza.
Rabbi Ephraim Silverman at Chabad of East Cobb, along with several members of the Atlanta Jewish community, began a grassroots effort to connect local Atlanta area churches with specific IDF units following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.
Over the course of more than a year, these relationships have been forged by a regular exchange of videos sharing personal greetings and updates from the IDF soldiers to church members. In turn, the churches have reciprocated with videos from members expressing their love and support.
“This correspondence has been a tremendous morale booster for the soldiers, many of whom were unaware of the strong support. Seeing firsthand that more Americans are empathetic to their cause has been eye opening for them,” emphasized Rabbi Silverman.
Earlier this month, IDF Lt. Col. Daniel Jacob visited Atlanta to meet with Chabad of Cobb and Chabad of Smyrna/Vinings congregants, The Weber School students and area churches to share stories from the frontlines in Israel and Gaza. Lt. Col. Jacob commands 1,000 soldiers from Unit 9221. He hopes to raise funds to help soldiers in his unit, as well as the families, wives and widows who have suffered from the devastation of the Gaza War.
“Our soldiers are tired and ready to return to their lives. What many people do not realize here is that 70 percent of the Israeli army is composed of reservists. They have left their families to serve, and not all have returned,” said Lt. Col. Jacob. Specifically, he mentioned one soldier killed in battle whose wife is suffering from depression, trying to raise her children on her own and having problems making ends meet. With support from the Jewish community and friends at area churches, he believes his soldiers can stay focused on their mission.
“People speak about PTSD, but for us there is no ‘post’ yet; we are still experiencing trauma. Many of our soldiers’ homes in the north and south have been destroyed. Right now, there are seven to eight families that really need our help in getting back on their feet,” said Lt. Col. Jacob.
One of the churches on Lt. Col. Jacob’s tour of the Atlanta area was The Soul Filling Station in Dawsonville. Jesse Chism is the minister and describes the connection with the Israeli soldiers and Unit 9221 as especially meaningful and important. The minister became acquainted with the unit through Rabbi Silverman, who he met through their mutual friend, State Rep. Brent Cox.
“We have connected with the soldiers in the unit and want to support them any way we can, whether financially or through our correspondence, videos and prayers. We have all learned so much about the issues surrounding Israel, and the soldiers feel like extended family to us now. We are praying for all of them,” he said.
Lt. Col. Jacob also met with ministers from Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and Mount Bethel Church on Lower Roswell Road across from Chabad of Cobb during his Atlanta visit. In addition, he spoke at Chabad of Cobb following Shabbat services and to 150 congregants at Warhill Church in Dawsonville the next day.
Lt. Col. Jacob wants the Atlanta Jewish community to know that Israel needs their involvement and help. “We’re not heroes. We’re doing our jobs, and the war has touched everyone,” he said before the group at Chabad of Smyrna/Vinings. He explained his unit’s need for therapists to help family members of the soldiers, as well as funds for additional equipment like drones and better lifesaving vests.
Minister Chism speaks of the day, hopefully in the near future, when he and his congregants will be able to visit Lt. Col. Jacob and members of his unit during a more peaceful time — and with the Lieutenant Colonel serving as the group’s tour guide, his chosen profession when he is not serving as a reservist. “Knowing Daniel Jacob and these soldiers has expanded our hearts,” he said.
For more information or to donate directly to Unit 9221, please visit https://giveback.co.il/project/80644?lang=en
All donations go directly to help the soldiers and their families. There are no administrative fees deducted. Donations are made in shekels (3.75 shekels to $1 U.S.). Unit 9221 goes back out to the field in March.
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