Bamba, Coke, Memory

Bamba, Coke, Memory is a special initiative applying Major Yochai ‘Jucha’ Kalangel’s life story to inspire people to acts of kindness and gratitude. IDF Major Yochai 'Jucha' Kalangel wasn't a man of words. He was a man of action. A devoted commander who led his troops in war, a loving husband and father, and an extraordinary person who looked after every soldier as if he was his own son. Yochai was killed on the Lebanese Border on January 28 2015, (Shvat 8 5775). The Hezbollah missile may have taken his body, but not his spirit – which we are continuing together. On January 29-30 2023, tens of thousands of Israelis all over the country will give out Bamba and Coke to Israeli soldiers in their area, or to someone who needs warmth and love. Why Bamba & Coke? After Yochai was killed, dozens of stories of his kindness started reaching the family. A repeating story was how whenever Yochai saw a depressed or struggling soldier, he would immediately send them to go get a Bamba snack and a Coke, at his expense, to cheer them up. Teenagers from Golan's Moshav Yonatan were inspired by these stories and decided to emulate his actions and to commemorate Yochai's spirit. Thus was born, "Operation Jucha – Bamba, Coke, Memory". Operation Jucha is based upon simple kindness and gratitude towards our amazing IDF soldiers. Every year since we started this project, during January, people all over Israel give out Coke, Bamba and snacks alongside thank-you notes to show gratitude and spread love to our soldiers. In 2022 the operation reached over 30,000 soldiers! How can you take part abroad? 1 – Sponsor a soldier or a unit by donating 2 – Receive a lesson plan about Yochai and Operation Jucha 3 – On January 29-30, go into action and treat a person who needs it with Coke and a snack. It can be the guard, it can be the cleaner, it can be that person who you know is struggling right now.