Aron Schoenfeld

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Oct 14, 2024, 7:56 AM

When Silence Breaks: A Phone Call on Yom Kippur

Yesterday, during Yom Kippur’s morning prayers, just as we prepared to reach the spiritual peak of Mussaf, a voice rose from the congregation. The quiet words were meant to unite us and center our minds and hearts. But before...

Oct 7, 2024, 11:24 PM

A Barbecue before Battle: The War, One Year Later

Soldiers at BBQ at the Schoenfeld residence. Photo credit: Aron Schoenfeld

A little over a year ago, my friend Phil came to Israel with his family, full of love for this land and its people. Phil is a true Zionist, a person who doesn't just talk about supporting Israel but...

Aug 4, 2024, 1:21 AM

The only thing we know is we don’t know anything

Every day I wake up to multiple messages from friends in America. Some ask if I am ok, some ask how our family is doing and some ask jokingly if I am still alive. And honestly, I just don’t...

Jun 20, 2024, 3:51 PM

Brothers in Arms

I recently saw a class on Shavuot night advertised in a modern orthodox high school in New York titled “The 2 frontlines, choosing between yeshiva or the army.” This really struck a chord with me as there seems to...

Jan 12, 2024, 1:33 PM

The grief that comes with giving

Training as a lifeguard, one learns self-defense techniques against the very people they aim to rescue. Adrenaline-fueled and panic-stricken, these individuals can inadvertently threaten their rescuer's safety. Lifeguards, like all first responders, are meticulously trained to navigate these perilous...

Jan 9, 2024, 7:20 PM

Hey America, It’s still October 8th Over Here

There was a meme going around by new years that for the rest of the world it was New Year’s Eve and for us in Israel, it was October 85th. And to prove the point, at exactly midnight, instead...

Nov 25, 2023, 10:51 PM

Let’s Talk About the New Normal

One question that people in Israel are asked daily by family, friends or colleagues is “Are you ok?” I am not sure there is a person in Israel that can answer that. We may be good, we may be...

Nov 21, 2023, 1:14 AM

Supporting Israel – It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Over the past month, hundreds of people have brought, and countless others have sent, thousands upon thousands of bags of everything you can imagine to Israel. From batteries to first aid kits to army equipment to clothing for the...

Nov 10, 2023, 7:32 AM

Just another BBQ in Kiryat Shmona

Fire from a mortar round. (All photos courtesy of the author)

This past Sunday night, my two sons and I drove up north to Kiryat Shmona to do a BBQ for our good friend's son’s unit. We had been to many bases over the last few weeks and my sons...

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About Me

Aron is the founder of SmilesfortheKids.com, a grassroots organization that providing support and nourishment for the families of IDF soldiers, while at the same time supporting local vendors whose businesses are in shatters because of the war.