"Soldiers, Widows, and Torah Scholars": How the 'Together We Will Succeed' Organization Supports All of Israel

I first became aware of Shay Graucher's blessed activities at the start of the war through WhatsApp videos. With each new video, I realized the immense scale of generosity and kindness within the people of Israel. Just when I thought I'd seen it all with a video showing Shay organizing a truck full of washing machines on the Gaza border for soldiers, more surprises appeared in subsequent videos. A luxurious spa for soldiers taking a break from fighting in Gaza, valuable gifts for every wounded soldier and orphaned child, emotional and financial support for widows alongside organizing fun days for evacuees in hotels. It seems that there is no painful area that the 'Together We Will Succeed' organization doesn't address, all with care, sensitivity, and a lot of personal attention.

In a fascinating interview about the blessed activities, the organization's director, Shay Graucher, son of the late singer Dedi Graucher, tells us about the goals he aims for, the challenges along the way, and the desire to unite all of Israel.

Shay, tell us – how did it all start and what is your goal?

"My father, Reb Dedi Graucher, of blessed memory, who passed away two months ago, was immensely kind in every fiber of his being. He dedicated most of his days to giving and seized every opportunity to do kindness with people, in immeasurable strength and quantity. During the week of mourning, we discovered many of the acts of kindness he had done, particularly with hundreds of widows and orphans. As children, we absorbed the concept of kindness with every breath. Today, we are here to continue his legacy.

"A few days after he passed, a cruel war broke out, and we understood that we have a divinely ordained role: to unite, bring hearts closer, and make Jews happy, especially after the great division among the people. Our father couldn't bear the disputes that were, and we are here to ensure that the disputes don't continue – only together we will succeed."

What does the association focus on more than anything?

"The association focuses on doing kindness with the many families and orphans that joined the people of Israel after 7.10.", explains Graucher. "Heroes who need assistance, support, and a listening ear. It's very important for us to personally reach each family and show our care. We could simply send things, which is the easiest, but for us, it's crucial to arrive and show a physical presence.

"Additionally, it's very important for us to support the soldiers, uplift their spirits, with hundreds of initiatives and activities for the heroic fighters who risk their lives in Gaza. Many have lost friends in battle and have gone through difficult experiences, both physical and emotional. We are here to help them relax and cope with the challenges in every way possible."

Delicious Food and Rest Areas

In the two months since the war began, the association's activities have expanded. From organizing soldier relaxation evenings, with singers, gourmet food, and rest areas, to trucks with dozens of washing machines and dryers for soldiers who haven't washed their clothes in the field for weeks. Graucher states, "The joy of the soldiers in the field is immense and worth everything." He also emphasizes that the activities continue and that new surprising projects for the security forces are being planned right now.

Truck of washing machines on the Gaza border for soldiers in the field

And what about the evacuees, how are you helping them?

"The care for the evacuees is very important," explains Graucher. "Many of the evacuee children are currently facing complex challenges. Their everyday life was abruptly interrupted, and they have to adapt to a new reality. Some have complex emotional states after the upheaval they went through. Within the framework of 'Klal Yisrael' association and 'Together We Will Succeed,' we emphasize activities and content that provide the children with stability and quality time around the clock. Organizing fun days, distributing games, and anything that can uplift their spirits."

Chanukah is approaching, are you planning anything for the holiday?

"Certainly, we are currently working on organizing and distributing Chanukah kits loaded with various content products. All with the goal of uplifting and reassuring the evacuees and their children. We understand that staying in hotels is not easy. It's a daily struggle with anxiety, fears, uncertainty, inactivity, longing, and much confusion."

People are chasing us just to say thank you

Watching the videos from the association reveals that the public embraces the activities with love and gratitude. "It's unbelievable the enthusiastic responses we encounter!" says Graucher. "It's moving to meet people from all communities, sectors, and types, and receive kind and warm words that empower us to continue. People are chasing us just to say thank you. Soldiers and families tell us that the appreciation and thoughts about them matter more than the gifts – it’s what warms their hearts."

As individuals of constant action, Shay and his team are surrounded by dozens of touching moments. One of them he wishes to share with us: "A few days ago, we managed to purchase a Torah scroll in just one hour(!) in memory of the soldier Jonathan, of blessed memory, who was murdered on Simchat Torah. It was a most moving full circle. Jonathan's widowed mother told 'Klal Israel - Together We Will Succeed' volunteers during shiva that 20 years ago when she lost her husband, it was my father, Dedi Graucher, who helped her in every way to recover from the tragedy."

(Credit: Channel 14)

"She also shared her dream to bring a Torah scroll in memory of her husband and son. Upon hearing this, I decided to turn every stone to make her dream come true. I decided I wouldn't leave the family's room without a Torah scroll. And so, not by natural means and thanks to good Jews, within less than an hour, we announced to the family, who were in complete shock, that the Torah scroll was ready and would enter the family home two days later. The Torah scroll entered with great joy as planned, bringing comfort to the family in memory of Jonathan."

And if we thought that after such an emotional moment one could rest a bit, Shay, with a secretive smile, talks about establishing a large kindness center for orphans and families, right now.

Parallel to the activities for evacuees, soldiers, and families, I understood you're also helping Torah scholars and even established a Kollel for Torah study for the success of Israel. Tell us about it.

"We believe that the Torah protects us as it did throughout the generations, as it is written 'In the merit of the Torah and its scholars, the world will be saved.' Therefore, we continuously strive to strengthen the Torah scholars who are like the Iron Dome of the people of Israel. Just this week, we granted a significant scholarship directly to the bank accounts of thousands of Torah scholars. It's of utmost importance to us."

Your activity is a real act of self-sacrifice, how do you manage to sustain it?

"We wait to see the smile on the faces of the soldiers, the orphans, the widows, people who have lost their most precious thing, and suddenly they start to smile again. There's nothing in the world that gives more strength than that."

To conclude, Shay wishes to convey a special message to Hidabroot readers:

"I would like us all to remember one thing: The unity of Israel and mutual responsibility among all Israelis is the most important thing. If we persist in unity, we will hold the key to victory. Everyone knows why we've reached this situation. The division among the people and baseless hatred was hard to bear, and unfortunately, the enemy saw and felt it. This is the opportune time, this unity must remain for a long time. We must not forget this day and these moments, even if times come and there are disagreements. We need to only increase baseless love and a kind eye, everyone as one person with one heart."