Born from pain, sustained by love

Hi I am Orit Cohen Peleg, married with two children. For many years, I have worked in the field of tax refunds. However since October 7, my life has taken on a new purpose, a mission dedicated to supporting Israel's soldiers.

The Lights of Orit was born out of profound pain, but also from a deep belief that we cannot stand by when others are in need.

Just a few days after the tragic events of October 7, I called one of my clients as part of my work. During our conversation, I asked how he was doing. His response changed everything.

"Orit, we have nothing to eat. I'm inside Gaza, in combat."

At that moment, I knew I could not simply continue with life as usual.

I called several close friends, opened a WhatsApp group, and asked who would be willing to help prepare food for soldiers. Within hours, we had organized a hot meal for 60 combat soldiers.

We loaded the food into our vehicles and headed toward the Gaza border region.

I will never forget that journey.

Along the roads, we saw a nation in shock and mourning. Burned vehicles lined the highways, signs of destruction were everywhere, and our hearts broke at every turn. In the midst of that unimaginable reality, we drove with freshly homemade food, hoping to bring the soldiers a small moment of warmth, comfort, and love.

When we arrived and saw their reaction, we realized it was far more than a meal; it was a hug from home.

The next day, more requests began to arrive. Another battalion, another unit. More soldiers asking for a hot meal. What started as a small initiative quickly grew into a volunteer network that expanded day by day.

We began recruiting drivers and logistics volunteers. We received refrigerators and storage solutions. Before long, we were reaching more and more soldiers throughout the country.

At the same time, my entire family joined the mission. My husband and children became an inseparable part of the effort, helping with transportation, organization, distribution, and whatever else was needed.

That realization led to the creation of our volunteer therapy and support network.

Today, The Lights of Orit includes more than 500 volunteers from across Israel.

Every week, we deliver Shabbat meals to approximately 30 battalions across Israel, from the northern border to the south.

I believe that every person has the ability to be a light for someone else.

The Lights of Orit is proof that sometimes a single act of kindness can create a powerful light that reaches thousands of people.