Shaving Israel 

Shaving Israel is very proud to support members of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) in a very meaningful, personal, hands-on fashion.

We identify soldiers in need.

We donate towels, winter wear, shirts, socks, phone chargers, toiletries and other personal items.  The funds we raise go to fulfill those needs.   The items are purchased in Israel and
where appropriate we use IDF-approved vendors.
We have collected close to $600,000, which has been used to help over 12,000 soldiers.
Since the war started, we have helped more than 2,600 Israeli soldiers.
Please help us help more IDF personnel!


99% of your tax-deductible donations go directly to aid IDF soldiers in need.

Again! We have earned the PLATINUM Seal of Transparency


Contact us at
P. O. Box 6991
Chesterfield, MO 63006-6991

 

Program at
Nusach Hari B’nai Zion Synagogue,  650 N Price Rd
on Sunday March 31 at 3:30 PM
כ״א בַּאֲדָר ב׳ תשפ״ד
Please Arrive at 3:15 PM

Registration required. Register here
Security provided 

PROGRAM:

  • Opening remarks: Dr. Laura Goldmeier, President of Shaving Israel
  • Shaving Israel in Israel after October 7th: an eyewitness report by Meira Ganel
  • FEATURED SPEAKER Chris Hexter: My grandson Yair Hexter z"l gave his life defending Israel
  • Closing remarks: Rabbi Ze'ev Smason, Midwest Regional Vice-President Coalition for Jewish Values,
    Rabbi Emeritus of Nusach Hari B'nai Zion

REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Register here
Come for the program, stay for the pizza!
Pizza night to NHBZ all you can eat pizza, pasta, and salad
available for purchase


Israeli casualties of October 7th, 2023


Read about our event in The Jewish Light! The Light
A Huge Hug

A report from Israel, late January 2024, from Meira Ganel,
on her recent purchase and delivery trip to Israel


Yesterday afternoon we went to buy underwear for the soldiers.
As we are paying for the underwear with our Delta gift cards, 2 ladies stood
behind us and complained that it will take a long time until the lady at the
cashier will run all of the 19 gift cards through the machine.
The cashier says to them: "this is all for the soldiers".
The ladies asked: "who is this from?"
I turned around and told them who is this from. I told them all about
Shaving Israel, and that there are wonderful people in St. Louis and the
U.S. that are donating money to support the IDF soldiers.
They were mesmerized! They were so touched! As they thanked us, one of them
approached me and asked: "can I give you a hug? I said: "of course".
She hugged me so tight! We hugged for a couple of minutes. By the time our
payment went through we were all in tears.

The underwear and thermal shirts were picked up today and will be delivered
tomorrow to the soldiers in Gaza.  


How you can help during this difficult time 




Women Defending Israel

January 21, 2024
In Memory of Carol Hellman,
co-founder of Shaving Israel

"Women Defending Israel" was the topic of a recent Shaving Israel event at Congregation B'nai Amoona.
Approximately 55 people attended to hear about the different ways women have worked on behalf of Israel.
The event was dedicated to the memory of Shaving Israel co-founder Carol Hellman, who was a volunteer for Sar-El.
This group of foreign volunteers helps the IDF perform routine tasks.
Carol's dedication to Israel was remembered by her daughter, Rachel Taxman, and by our co-founder, Rachel Miller.
Devy Goldenberg discussed the Haganah, the precursor to the IDF and her mother's activities in this group.
Dodi Taylor recalled her service for Sherut Leumi. This is an organization that is an alternative to military service, and it is open to anyone that wants a non-military role in Israel.
Rani Greenwald talked about her service in the IDF air force canine unit.
Brunch was served, and informal discussions took place during and after the event.    

Below: Three of the Speakers at the event:  Rachel Miller, Founder, Devy Goldenberg, Board member, and Laura Goldmeier, President.
All Photos:  Neil Dunski. 

Shaving Israel Speakers, from left to right, Laura Goldmeier (President), Devy Goldenberg, Rachel Taxman (Carol Hellman's daughter), Rachel Miller (Founder), Dodi Taylor, Rani Greenwald
Photo: Neil Dunski

Shaving Israel Archives
Past events found here

Thank you 
Watch short video here

(5 seconds long)

What is a lone soldier?

A soldier in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) without his/her immediate family:
- Parents live abroad (new immigrant or Israeli)
- No relationship with their mom and/ or dad for any number of reasons
- Orphans
There are an estimated 7000+ lone soldiers currently serving
About 40% serve in combat units .

St. Louis Lone Soldier 

About our own Lone Soldier

Make the IDF soldiers YOUR Bar/Bat Mitzvah project!  

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Projects
OUR JOB

What we do

Shaving Israel educates U.S. citizens about the needs of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and funds the purchase of toiletries, personal items, food vouchers and other necessities from Israeli suppliers thereby enriching the Israeli economy for members of the IDF who are in need or deprived of family support systems.
We have raised and distributed over $450,000 to the IDF in recent years and assisted over 8,700 IDF soldiers with needed items.
Shaving Israel is an entirely volunteer 501(c)(3) organization, with all money raised going to the the soldiers of IDF.

Find the group on Facebook under Shaving Israel
or on Twitter @shavingisrael.


Rachel Miller, Founder
Laura Goldmeier, President
Joel Levy, President Emeritus

OUR FOUNDER

Rachel Miller 

Rachel Goldman Miller is a child Holocaust survivor. Rachel’s immediate family members were all murdered. Only a few distant cousins survived. Rachel’s childhood was spent learning to live without adequate food, clothing or essential items.
It was fate when she met Carol Hellman (z’l’). Carol was a volunteer for Sor-El, a group of individuals who volunteer 3 weeks at a time to help do small jobs to help the IDF soldiers. Rachel was on a mission trip to Israel when she met up with Carol and Carol mentioned the need for toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and other items. It was right there that the vision for Shaving Israel was conceived.
Rachel came back to St. Louis and told Joel Levy about her idea to raise funds for IDF soldiers that needed the same items she needed during the Holocaust. Joel did all the legwork needed to form a 501(c)(3).

In 2004, a Board of Directors was formed with Joel as President.
Carol wrote the mission statement and Rachel committed to using 100% of funds raised going to the soldiers. Rachel continues to talk to groups of people around the world about the Holocaust and how she survived. Shaving Israel is also one of the ways she can give back and help others in need.

See an EARLY article in The Jewish Light here

Shaving Israel     For a larger picture and the names of these Board members,     click on the small picture above or please click here.
If you need to contact any of the Board members, please either use our contact form. just below, or send an email to Shaving Israel and we will be in touch.

Board of Directors 

Thanks to our hard-working all-volunteer board of directors, we are able to donate 99% of our contributions directly to IDF soldiers. All of us are dedicated to helping soldiers who lack family support. We schedule events throughout the year including IDF soldiers who share their stories. movies, and musical entertainment. Additionally, we co-sponsor local programs discussing Israel, the Jewish film festival, and the Jewish book festival. Please follow us on Facebook and watch our website for our upcoming activities. Direct your questions or comments to info@shavingisrael.org.
We are always grateful for any financial support you can send to Shaving Israel.
Please use the link on our website, or mail your donation to Shaving Israel; P.O. Box 6991; Chesterfield, Missouri 63006-6991.
For any contribution to Shaving Israel, please include your name and address so that we can thank you.
Remember, your gift is tax deductible.
We are a 501(c)(3) organization with a Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency rating.  

Soldiers and Volunteers

Our Dedicated Team

Soldiers and volunteers work together to defend our country

Soldiers receiving thermal shirts 

Delivering Training sets to Amit

Our Projects

Proud soldier

With love and gratitude

“Aharai!” - Youth leading change.

Donate 

Make a Secure Donation
to our General Fund


There are several fast and easy ways to make a gift.

Check - Send a check to:
Shaving Israel
PO Box 6991
Chesterfield, MO 63006-6991

Make check payable to: SHAVING ISRAEL

Credit Card – through the use of PayPal’s secure server (even without a PayPal account)
  Click the Donate button.


Please include your address and e-mail,
so that we may acknowledge you properly and keep in touch with you.
Shaving Israel does NOT share or sell your information to anyone.
The PayPal Foundation reimburses us for all fees, so your entire gift works for Shaving Israel.

Donations to Shaving Israel are 100% Tax Deductible.
Our federal taxpayer identification number: 41-2121184


We invite supporters to shop at AmazonSmile.
AmazonSmile gives 0.5% of your purchase to Shaving Israel

 Address

 P. O. Box 6991
 Chesterfield, MO 63006-6991
New address!
This site was updated on March 6,  2024

כ״ו בַּאֲדָר א׳ תשפ״ד
CONTACT US

Get in touch with us!