Pamphlet Distributors Exposed: "I Heard the Red Alert and Continued Distributing"

"Excuse me, could you give me a Hidabroot pamphlet?" This request is well-known to the hundreds of people who distribute the Hidabroot pamphlet across the country. For them, it has become routine.

It's no secret that Hidabroot pamphlets have become the most widespread Shabbat pamphlets in recent years. You can find them in synagogues, as well as in shops, restaurants, businesses, and various centers. But usually, the distributors stay behind the scenes, and we hardly hear about them.

During this period, when the pamphlet is experiencing a unique development with more and more distributors joining from all over the country, we set out to talk to the leading ones among them, to hear from them what led them to this and to learn about the most fascinating stories that can only happen to them.

 

"Thanks to Hidabroot, I Gained Strength"

For Gabriel Sofer, owner of 'Domino Pizza' in Ramat Poleg, Netanya, the story of distributing pamphlets is intertwined with his personal story of spiritual growth. It's hard to hear his story and remain unmoved.

"Everyone knows my pizza as 'Gabriel's Pizza'," he says. "It's been around in Netanya for many years, and because the kashrut is Mehadrin, many religious and ultra-Orthodox customers come to me."

He knows the sector well and is aware of its needs, but until about a year ago, he was not part of it. "I always considered myself traditional but didn't observe everything," he says.

About a year ago, with the outbreak of COVID-19, a significant change happened in his life. "The early period was very stressful for the business as we had to close the pizzeria or reduce the hours. Meanwhile, things were not going smoothly at home either. My wife is a tax advisor, and her clients were very stressed, calling urgently every moment, wanting to know what to do and what their future holds. There was a very negative atmosphere, and we felt we had to find an urgent solution."

One day, he found himself going to his brother who lives in Zichron Ya'akov. "My brother became religious a few years ago," he says. "He suggested I come to him for a few days, and I really felt it was for the best. During those days, we had deep conversations that led me to a special strengthening. I started wearing a yarmulke and tzitzit and kept Shabbat properly, whereas before, I only observed Kiddush. I came back a completely new person."

This strengthening process was accompanied all the way by the Hidabroot pamphlet. "I always felt a special connection to the pamphlet," he says. "Not only would I distribute it to my customers, but I myself would read it and be drawn to it. But since I strengthened, I feel a special connection to it and also understand what merit I have in taking 100 pamphlets every Shabbat and strengthening the many."

Who are the people you distribute to?

"It's a wide variety of people. Some come to eat pizza, and some come specifically to take the pamphlets. There was a long period when street minyanim existed near my store, and representatives from each minyan were sent to me. Each asked to take ten pamphlets only, as gatherings of more than ten people were not allowed."

Gabriel also has a special hobby: "I keep at least one copy of each pamphlet from the beginning of the year," he reveals. "I place the copies at the entrance of the pizzeria, and that way, everyone who enters can see all the issues. It's amazing how people stand here captivated by them. It excites me every time."

 

"People Jump at the Pamphlets"

Ori Maniev is from Bnei Brak but works at an accounting office in Tel Aviv. He distributes 200 copies of Hidabroot pamphlets in Bnei Brak, Pardes Katz, and also in Tel Aviv. "My wife stands behind me and she approves all the budgets," he says. "For several years we have been doing this and plan, with Hashem's help, to continue further."

Maniev points out that precisely because he distributes in such varied locations, he sees the demand coming from all segments of the population. "My business is in the hotel area on Ben Yehuda by the sea, and already on the way to the office, there are those who approach me asking to take pamphlets, many of whom are part of the secular public."

"On the other hand, on Shabbat, I go to synagogues in Pardes Katz and see the interest among the yeshiva students. Recently, something interesting happened – during the COVID-19 period, when gatherings were forbidden, I hung a bag with pamphlets on the synagogue gate. Suddenly, I saw the yeshiva students gather by the closed gate, reading a serialized story, unable to disconnect."

"My personal feeling is that this pamphlet unites all shades and communities," he adds. "It causes so much joy and sanctifies Hashem's name. Sometimes it happens that I don't distribute on Wednesday but on Thursday, and people turn to me in panic asking why I haven't brought them, they're afraid I've forgotten them. We love Rabbi Zamir Cohen and the Hidabroot organization very much," concludes Maniev. "There's always demand for the pamphlets, and they're snatched up until the last one. It's never enough."

 

Pamphlets During Red Alerts

"It's hard to describe what a pleasure it is for me to distribute the pamphlets," says Miri Siyani, manager of 'The Baker's House' in Sderot – a new and renovated bakery under the supervision of Beit Yosef.

"Every Friday morning, customers come to us with Shabbat songs playing in the background. They buy challahs and baked goods and leave with the aromas accompanied by the Hidabroot pamphlet. You can really feel the Shabbat atmosphere affecting all of us," she describes.

In fact, for several years they've been distributing the pamphlets consistently. "It began when I lived across from a synagogue, and every Shabbat, I asked my husband to bring me the pamphlet. Until one day, I asked myself why I shouldn’t become a distributor myself. Since that day, we have been distributing Hidabroot pamphlets in our bakery and are amazed every time by the demand, mainly among women, but not only."

What do you think is the secret of the pamphlets? Why are they so sought after?

"I think what makes them special is the fact that they truly touch everyone. Everyone who takes them simply finds what suits them. Personally, I can tell you that I have grandchildren who regularly ask for the pamphlet. Each of them loves something different; each is interested in another column. There is such an amazing and diverse offering there."

Miri emphasizes that she insists on continuing to distribute the pamphlets in any situation. "During this COVID-19 period, we distribute even more than usual," she says, "and so even on days when there are alerts in Sderot. As a city hit by Kassam rockets, we know the great need for good reading material even during alerts. People come to us almost at great risk, and the amazing thing is that they complete their purchases at record speed but do not give up the Hidabroot pamphlets."

 

"Pamphlets Snatched Like Hotcakes"

Yosef Kamon, the manager of the 'Mishkan Hatchelet' store in central Jerusalem, actually lives in the Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood. For a long time, he distributed the pamphlets in synagogues until at some point, the thought arose that since he arrives every day to the city center and works in the store, he could distribute them there as well.

"So it happened that I ordered a larger quantity of pamphlets and started distributing them. Very quickly, I realized how people snatch them up like fresh baked goods. It's unbelievable. There was once I was walking down the street with a bag from which the pamphlets were sticking out, and already people stopped me on the way asking to take some. Personally, I feel an immense sense of satisfaction every time. There is such a good feeling when you see people enjoying. There were a few times when I faced financial challenges, and it wasn’t easy to continue distributing the pamphlets, but my wife said to me, 'You leave the pamphlets and don't give up,' and that's exactly what I did. The benefit, in the end, is entirely mine because it is an enormous privilege."

Unlike the distribution in synagogues, where Kamon always managed to keep at least one pamphlet for himself, at Mishkan Hatchelet, he finds every week that the pamphlets are snatched up and always run out. Even during the lockdown when he was sure there would be few customers and thus leftover pamphlets, he was stunned to discover the pamphlets ran out to the last one.

He pauses for a moment and adds with a smile: "Sometimes the pamphlets run out entirely, and there's none left for me, but thank Hashem, you can find them everywhere, and Hashem helps so that I always find one pamphlet in the synagogue." 

 

Hundreds of Pamphlets, One Distributor

But we saved the most interesting case for last because there is no doubt that Menachem Farge’s distribution is unique. Menachem, a resident of the Beit Vagan neighborhood, started distributing the pamphlets at the synagogue on Shaarei Torah Street a few years ago. Shortly after, he happened to visit a nearby store where the seller heard he was distributing Hidabroot pamphlets and asked him to get a pile of pamphlets for his customers.

"In fact, I started with just fifty pamphlets, but very quickly added another fifty for the store," he says. "Later, another seller heard that I distribute and also requested some, so I added another fifty pamphlets. Since I routinely walk around the neighborhood, I found myself adding more and more, as I always encountered people who wanted to distribute and share, sometimes in synagogues, sometimes outside, and even at Shaare Zedek Hospital, I distributed for some time."

Today, he distributes at nine key points in the neighborhood. "It fills my entire day," he says with a smile, "because I receive the pamphlets in the morning and immediately start distributing around the neighborhood. I continuously hear moving stories from people revealing how much the pamphlet strengthens and contributes to them. There was someone who consistently took two pamphlets. When I couldn't contain my curiosity and asked why, he explained to me that there is someone who isn't religious who is very attached to the pamphlet but is too embarrassed to come and take it. During the time I was at Shaare Zedek, I also repeatedly heard about patients lying alone in the wards, and the only thing that strengthened them was the Hidabroot pamphlet."

How do you manage to distribute so many? Isn't it difficult?

"The distribution isn't difficult, but the carrying is not simple," he laughs, "Think about what it's like to carry nine packages... but every time I feel that my hands are almost torn, I remind myself that if there is even one Jew who will contemplate a single thought of repentance because of the pamphlet – I've gained. I completely believe that this is the way to strengthen the Jewish people, this is the way to bring the redemption closer."