Before Purim, many groups arrange for thousands of mishloach manot, special food gift packages to be given to IDF soldiers. It can be a great fund raiser.
This year I went along with one group. First stop was a small army base a few kilometers away from the Gaza border.
The 100 Givati soldiers had spent the entire night awake, closely watching for infiltrators.
They seemed to appreciate that anyone would schlep out there to give them a gift and a handshake.
The Purim celebration began with the army choir singing in their small dining hall.
By the end, all were singing and dancing together, a beautiful moment.
Last stop was a large army base, again with the army choir performing.
But here in the the modern auditorium was a full program and
many soldiers were dressed in Purim costumes. That horse was happy to pose for a photo.
Soldiers were smiling with the US visitors and posing for lots of pictures.
And then BOOM,
a few minutes later we were all in bomb shelters, as rockets started raining in from Gaza.
At least there were plenty of snacks as we listened to one explosion after another.
One of the skits, called Tzeva Adom, Red Alert, had everyone laughing.
Then came the real thing,
Tzeva Adom, the party was over and no one was laughing.