On the morning of Oct. 7, Jewish communities worldwide gathered at their local synagogues to celebrate Simcha Torah, the most joyous of the Jewish holidays. No one anticipated that, amid the celebration, news from Israel would soon provoke devastating sadness and shock. The terrorist organization Hamas had infiltrated Israel, causing widespread casualties and taking more than 200 hostages to Gaza.
At Chabad of Parkland, stunned spectators witnessed the atrocities unfold, among them Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Sergeant and Deputy Tank Commander Alexander Schwartz. After spending five years in Israel, Schwartz, 27, had returned to the U.S. (his home country) in 2022 to pursue an MBA at the University of Florida.
Unfortunately, Schwartz’s unit was on the Gaza border protecting nearby towns when the Hamas attack broke out, resulting in the abduction and death of many of his friends.
Schwartz’s first instinct was to book a flight to Israel. It wasn’t a forced decision. In fact, he explains, many Jews feel a call of duty and certain responsibility toward the only Jewish nation in the world.
“I think it’s in my blood. The Jewish people are a warrior nation, and I connect with their strength,” he says. “[During military training] they asked me what I wanted to do, and I said, ‘I want to work hard and get dirty.’”
Serving under the 7th Armored Brigade, IDF’s oldest unit, Schwartz participated in high-risk missions, including Operation Good Neighbor, where, during the Syrian Civil War of 2018, the IDF took war refugees to Israel for medical treatment.
“There are stories where I look back, and I’m like, “Man, we’re very lucky to come out alive from that situation,’” he says.
He recalls a time on the Egyptian border when he was in the tank reading Anne Frank’s memoir. “I’m looking over the Sinai while reading the book, feeling a sense of pride and honor for keeping Israel safe,” he says.
Photo courtesy of Alex Schwartz
Tanker Alex Schwartz at the Golan Heights
But after the Oct. 7th devastating attack, Israel summoned over 300,000 reservists for duty and began a bombing campaign in Gaza aimed at ending Hamas and rescuing the hostages. The immediate and massive influx of Israeli soldiers meant the IDF required additional war gear like bulletproof vests and helmets.
Jews worldwide joined forces and hundreds of fundraising initiatives were created, among them, Schwartz’s “Project Iron Support,” whose initial focus was to help his friends serving in the IDF.
He began by sending 25 softshell jackets for soldiers to survive Israel’s cold months. “In the first 72 hours, I raised $3,000,” says Schwartz. “From there, the campaign exploded and has reached much farther than I ever thought it would.” Today, “Project Iron Support” has raised $55,219.
Donations now include ultrasound scanners for smartphones to detect internal bleedings or fractures on the field, GPS trackers attached to dogs to locate hostages under Gaza tunnels and AI drones shadowing IDF tanks that detect nearby threats.
“My bag is packed, and I’m ready to go back, but this fundraising campaign has taken a mind of its own,” says Schwartz. “I’m speaking with senators in Orlando, state representatives in Ocala, I spoke on the radio… What I’m doing is not as glamorous as if I was in Israel with my helmet and rifle, but my friends have the equipment they need because of this campaign.”
“Project Iron Support” is also a fight for awareness. “We’re an interconnected world. This war doesn’t stop in Israel, it comes to the West, too. It’s a crucial moment in history.”
Photo courtesy of Alex Schwartz
For more information of Iron Project Support, visit thechesedfund.com.