Over half a million Hamentashen filled with poppy seeds, dates, and chocolate will be distributed by the Food Center that every holiday, occupies itself with providing tasty and kosher foods to promote the holiday spirit.  These specific fillings were chosen after a survey was taken to determine the soldiers’ preferences. The survey confirmed that half of IDF soldiers prefer a poppy seed filling in their Hamentashen, and the other half prefer chocolate and date fillings.

“Every IDF soldier will receive special plates with Hamentashen for the holiday,” said Betty Cohen, the head of the Supervision Department of the Food Center.  “We hope that we manage to provide the soldiers with tasty cookies that they like, so they can have a sweet and happy holiday.”  In addition, Army Radio, the Food Center, and the Transportation Center will provide – for the eighth consecutive year – a campaign to pack Purim gift packages to combat soldiers.  Over 200,000 soldiers will receive these packages that will be packed by Food Center volunteer and transported by the Transportation Center out to units in the field.  The gift packages will include snacks and bottled drinks that have been donated by the Elite, Wissotzky, Loaker companies and the network of the Military Canteen Services, and will be distributed through a special operation by Army Radio today.

A special broadcast will take place in bases surrounding the Gaza Strip, while representatives of Army Radio distribute gift packages to the soldiers.  “Everything we did was so that the IDF combat soldiers would also be able to enjoy a little bit of the festivities and sweet flavors in the Purim holiday,” said the director of the operation, First Sergeant Ayala Grinfeld.