The meal that’s much more than a dinner

By Shoshana Bryen

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s an old Jewish joke about holidays – “They tried to kill us, they failed, let’s eat.” In a more serious vein, we read at the Passover Seder, “Let all who are hungry come and eat.” Observant Jews give charity before holidays to ensure that people have what they need. It wouldn’t be a Jewish holiday without food – and it wouldn’t be a holiday at all without the emphasis on fellowship and family that goes along with food.
 
This year as you prepare for Passover, or for Easter, please celebrate Veterans Day by doing something to ensure that a very special group of veterans continues an important dining tradition. 
 
Please support the Fran O’Brien’s Soldier Dinners.
 
Beginning in 2004, JINSA and you, our readers, have supported the Fran O’Brien’s dinners for young soldiers – primarily amputees and victims of TBI (traumatic brain injury) – recuperating from their wounds at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda. The dinners, which take place outside of the hospital, offer recovering soldiers a chance to socialize, eat a good meal, and take their first steps towards easing back into society at no cost them or their family members. They are a safe haven for men and women facing probably the most difficult time of their young lives. Although the restaurant that first hosted them and gave the event its name has closed, with the help of embassies, clubs, restaurants and a small band of dedicated volunteers, the dinners have become a moveable feast, giving ever more people the opportunity to host and thank our heroes. 
 
Last week, more than 100 American and Israeli soldiers and their families ate, drank, laughed, swapped stories and shared friendships in the Israeli embassy as guests of the Israeli Defense Attaché accompanied by the Ambassador.  
 
In our book, every day is Veterans Day. And the fact that we read less now about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan makes it all the more important that we not forget the soldiers who have come back needing our help. The injuries caused by IEDs and other explosive devices are often permanent, and in the best case it may take multiple operations stretched over many months – or years – to enable soldiers to return home and begin their futures. They need a break and you can help provide it.
 
Click here to donate online and type “Soldiers Dinners” in the Dedication box, or you can send in a check [write “Soldiers Dinner” in the memo line] to JINSA at 1307 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005. Every penny goes to the soldiers.
 
We don’t think you need our affirmation that food is more than just food, but if you do, please read the letter Col. Jonathan Jaffin, then-Commander of the Medical Corps at Walter Reed, wrote to JINSA: