‘It is important to us that they know someone is thinking of them.’
By Hezy Laing
In a sunlit room filled with the soft rustle of yarn and the gentle rhythm of knitting needles, a group of elderly women gathers around a long wooden table.
Balls of wool in olive green, gray, and deep navy are scattered before them, waiting to be transformed.
These women—grandmothers, great‑grandmothers, and above all, Holocaust survivors—have lived through the darkest chapters of Jewish history.
Today, with steady hands and full hearts, they knit warm winter hats for IDF soldiers serving across the country.
For them, this simple act carries profound meaning.
Many of the survivors describe the project as a way to give back to the young men and women who now stand guard over the Jewish people.
“We can no longer be there in the field,” one woman says with a soft smile, “but we can still do something small for those who protect us.”
Another adds, “When a soldier puts on a hat we made, I want him to feel that someone is thinking of him, sending him warmth and love.”
The initiative is part of the ongoing work of the Living with Dignity association, which has supported Holocaust survivors and elderly Israelis for more than 30 years.
Beyond this knitting circle, the organization provides approximately 3,500 hot meals every day, delivered directly to the homes of seniors who cannot cook for themselves.
It also runs social programs, cultural activities, and emotional support groups that help survivors stay connected and engaged.
The knitting project has become one of the association’s most cherished activities. Dozens of hats are completed each week and delivered to IDF bases from north to south.
For the soldiers who receive them, the hats are more than winter gear—they are a reminder of resilience, continuity, and the unbroken bond between generations.
For the women who knit them, each stitch is a quiet victory, a testament to survival, and a gift of warmth to those who now stand guard.
