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Grassroots initiative Beef Up Our Boys transforms local resilience into frontline support, fueling troops, reviving a war-hit community, and uniting the global Jewish people.
By Chaim Ruttenberg
In a remarkable act of resilience and solidarity, Beef Up Our Boys has reopened a previously shuttered factory in Israel’s Gaza-envelope region to supply frontline IDF soldiers with vital nutrition.
Revived in the aftermath of October 7, the facility is now able to produce thousands of kosher, shelf-stable beef jerky packs daily, delivering essential protein to troops in high-risk, hard-to-reach areas.
Located in Moshav Tkuma – just 7 kilometers from the Gaza border and one of the areas hardest hit by the war – residents staff the factory, many of whom were displaced or directly affected by the attacks.
The project not only supports soldiers with combat-ready nutrition but also brings jobs and purpose back to a community still reeling from loss and war.
“We’re not just sending food – we’re sending strength,” said Chaim Rutenberg, an oleh from New
York and founder of the initiative.
“This project is a micro but deeply personal representation of what true unity looks like. It’s the global Jewish community coming together in the most tangible, heartfelt way.”
Beef jerky is a globally recognized military staple: lightweight, high in protein, and shelf-stable for months, ideal for combat zones where refrigeration is impossible and mobility is key.
Israeli soldiers, often deployed for weeks without access to fresh food, have come to rely on it as a critical supplement, especially during intense missions.
“When we have time, we cook the jerky with rice for a more filling meal – but it’s most helpful when we’re going house to house checking for terrorists and have 30 seconds to eat a few bites,” said one soldier. “It’s great instant energy.”
Each package includes a handwritten note of encouragement from a child, volunteer, or supporter abroad, transforming a practical delivery into a deeply emotional one. Soldiers often keep the notes and wrappers as reminders that they are not alone.
One soldier wrote in a thank-you note: “We savor the meat and save the bags. It’s not just food – it’s a reminder that we’re fighting for and appreciated by the wider community.”
What began as a single care package request for 97 soldiers has grown into a global volunteer operation. Beef Up Our Boys has now delivered over 100,000 beef jerky packs to units across all fronts, fueled by a vast network of donors, suppliers, and logistics partners.
“We’re creating something sustainable here,” Rutenberg added. “Our team and suppliers are all from the region. Every bag we send out supports our soldiers and our people at home. Reopening this factory is more than production – it’s a symbol of resilience and renewal.”
The campaign’s success also highlights a deeper need – IDF rations often lack sufficient high-protein, ready-to-eat options. Beef Up Our Boys is stepping in to fill that gap while reviving local industry in southern Israel.
Entirely volunteer-driven, Beef Up Our Boys continues to grow – but so does the demand. Each day brings new requests from the frontlines, and the campaign’s ability to keep pace depends on the continued strength of its global community.
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