At the heart of our mission lies a deep commitment to giving back to Israeli society. Our support for our Lone Soldiers has expanded significantly since the attacks on 7 October. In addition, following a number of visits to hospitals, we have been working in partnership with rehabilitation hospitals in order to assist wounded soldiers. The projects and assistance we are providing is based on needs identified and specific requests from the hospitals and their volunteers who know the soldiers and their individual – and collective – needs.
Our partnership with Beit Loewenstein in Raanana began with a group of volunteers who packed and delivered Tu B’Shvat snack boxes to the soldiers. In June, our SASI scholarship students (South Africans Studying in Israel) visited the soldiers and had the opportunity to meet with Baruch Cohen, one of the heroes of 7 October from Magen. During the visit, the students shared pizza and dessert with the soldiers. In July, we hosted our first official ‘Happy Hour’ which began with South African Oleh Dovi Olwyn sharing an interesting presentation with the soldiers on the Olympics, sport and technology. With pizzas, ice creams and interesting conversations, it was an honour to connect with these heroes and listen to their inspiring stories.
In addition to Happy Hour, we are excited to announce the upcoming launch of a Rosh Chodesh Breakfast Club for the soldiers at Beit Loewenstein, in collaboration with the KLR community (Kehilat Lev Raanana). Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on this and other events.
Through the Goldberg Trust (administered by Telfed), we have additionally committed over NIS 100,000 towards scholarships for wounded soldiers as they navigate a new path with their disabilities.
Under the supervision of our Social Workers and Assistance Committee, we have launched a pilot project for wounded soldiers at Tel Hashomer Hospital to provide financial assistance to those in dire financial need, helping to alleviate financial burdens that have been exacerbated by their injuries and rehabilitation.
We are also proud to support the Bnei Zion Medical Centre. Telfed facilitated a significant donation to purchase over NIS 120,000 worth of essential equipment, including beds, wheelchairs, shower chairs, and physiotherapy equipment needed to enhance the care provided to injured soldiers.
We would like to extend our thanks to the remarkable volunteers and staff at the hospitals who have worked with us to understand where we can best assist our wounded heroes. To Dudu, Almog, Tom and Carol – your commitment to the soldiers and their recovery is remarkable and we are grateful for the silent angels who are dedicated to the treatment, recovery and healing of our brave soldiers.
We would also like to extend our immense gratitude to the donors who have contributed and committed to these projects. We continue to work on new projects and look forward to sharing updates with our community.
It is our honor to stand by these courageous young men and women and offer our support wherever possible. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our wounded soldiers.
