Since the outbreak of the Iron Sword War, more and more stories of heroism of IDF soldiers have been revealed. But the population of women who contribute their share to the IDF in combat roles, also in combat roles, does not always gain a significant place in the Israeli consciousness. This week (Wednesday), baking blogger, pastry chef Adi Kleinhofer, known as "Adikosh", posted a moving post about a special meeting she held - an inspiring baking workshop she held that day with wounded and disabled IDF soldiers.
"Due to the situation in Israel, we are all suffering from one big PTSD, especially these amazing women, who have not left the house since the day the war began," says Kleinhofer. "We wanted to relieve some stress and get them out of the house for air, and we succeeded."
It started with an acquaintance, photo: Adikosh
The meeting was created by the Friends of the Disabled IDF Association, an organization that accompanies more than 50,000 wounded IDF and security forces. The organization operates various programs, including the "Now Me" program dedicated to wounded IDF and security forces. "A gorgeous girl, a volunteer in an organization called Sharon, approached me and told me that she does a lot of cooperation with them. She is on good terms with the women and the group, especially now at war. She invited me to do a workshop for stunning wounded IDF soldiers, who I didn't know how stunning they would be. Of course I volunteered with love."
What incident particularly touched you?
"There is one gorgeous girl who entered the workshop with a baby stroller and she immediately caught my eye. The whole workshop I looked at her and she just entered my heart. She couldn't tell us her story, because there are stories that can't be told. They are private and I accept that. But I saw that she had been through something. The very fact that she was able to overcome, moved on with life, and she is with a baby now. She's a mother, and for her it's wow. It moved me madly. I couldn't stop thinking about her the next day either."
Rogelach for the soul, photo: Adikosh
The activity was not only about baking, the women who took part also revealed their inspiring stories. "The girls came, we said hello, sat down to snack and eat a few things, and we made a circle where each one told about herself briefly," Kleinhofer shares, explaining: "Not all of them could tell their story. There are difficult, intimate stories. But you see through a look, you see what the person went through. It's not simple, it was very moving, touching and inspiring, a lot of inspiration. After talking, getting excited and getting to know each other, we started baking and the girls managed to get out of the bubble. I felt it gave them air."
What is baking?
"We chose to bake yeast pastries, mainly because of the dough. Rogelach and cinnamon cakes. It calms the mind, it does good to the heart. The occupation, the shallowing, the kneading."
The activity wasn't just about baking, Photo: Adikosh
What do you take with you from this encounter?
"I think like any heroic story, you can take a lot of things. Mainly to understand that life must be taken in proportion. Nothing is taken for granted, and life is stronger than everything. If they managed to continue after everything they went through, start a family and smile, then anything is possible. Anything is really possible."
What has changed in your baking since October 7th?
"The truth is that for the first week I wasn't standing in the kitchen at all. There was no desire, and there was a very heavy and sad feeling. I was told that week that my friend's brother had been murdered, so it made things harder. In the second week, I realized I had to take myself in my hands and started baking, especially dough."
She decided to donate the dough she had prepared to the soldiers. "I got responses from soldiers saying they were happy and it brought back all the desire. Especially dough, because it's an amazing therapy for hands and soul."
Liron Sagi Cohen, Director of the Friends of the Disabled IDF Organization, said: "These days the organization is also working to escort wounded and wounded in the 'Iron Swords' war in hospitals and fighters' homes. We thank Adi for her support in accompanying the wounded during these difficult times, and we were happy to host her in an activity with the Now Me community."
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