We recently spent a few busy days in Israel visiting soliders on the front line, in recovery, as well as meeting with the current organizations we support, as well as potential ones.
This time, we were joined by a powerful duo: Anna Nosková, chairperson of Ec Chajim, and Rabbi David Maxa, leader of the fastest-growing Jewish community in the Czech Republic.
It was our honour to introduce our longstanding partners to our activities from across the close-up and move the cooperation between Shalem and Ec Chajim to the next level.
First stop - The Yahalom Foundation
Our first stop on the trip was Yahalom's base in southern Israel.
Shalem proudly supports the Yahalom Foundation, which takes care of more than 150 combat engineers veterans with their return to life, assists with their PTSD treatment, and accompanies the families of fallen soldiers. The Yahalom unit is special in every sense of the word. Not only because its members are electrical engineering graduates, but mainly because their focus is on bomb disposal, combat in terror tunnels, and their destruction. The recent war has proven the vital role this unit plays. Every combat event requires a Yahalom expert. Since October 7th, Yahalom has lost 19 of its heroes. Others were severely injured, including the loss of sight and amputations.
Unfortunately, I am unable to share any photographs from the base. I would like to mention, though, that any robotic technology enthusiast inspired by the smartest and most dedicated individuals would be amazed by what we were fortunate enough to see. We are humbled by Yahalom’s trust and thrilled to have been invited. Thank you for supporting our heroes with us.
Here is a link to the work of Zeev Koren, a photographer who has documented some of the unit’s operations.
Meeting with the troops
Why do we visit our soldiers?
During months-long service, their partners live parallel and lonely lives, taking care of the household, children, and going to work. In this crazy reality that none of our heroes chose, every sign of warmth and care is welcome with a smile.
We're honored that, at least symbolically, we’re privileged to bring something sweet, have the opportunity to talk, and show our gratitude for their service. Thanks to you, our soldiers feel they’re not left behind.
During our visit to Israel’s South, we visited numerous outposts guarded by reservists, some serving more than 500 days since the beginning of the war. One of them is fifty year old Sagi, father of three children. His adult daughter is currently serving in Gaza.
The outposts are near Kibbutzim that were brutally destroyed on October 7th. The road to the Zikim beach where terrorists murdered innocent civilians was closed due to an ongoing operation in Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza, only a couple of hundred metres away from us.
Treating our soldiers
Thanks to our amazing friend and partner, Rabbi Leyzer Klein, who visits our soldiers twice a week, we are in close touch.
Thanks to your donations, we were able to host our soldiers for a delicious barbecue. Some ate with us, some received their warm delivery straight in Gaza.
Ec Chajim gifted our heroes with a little Golem who protects them on their mission to bring back our hostages. We pray for everybody’s safe return.
We also visited one of the October 7th memorials, made up of 1,600 cars that terrorists shot, burned, or otherwise destroyed while killing those inside the cars. The devastation inflicted on Israel by its neighbors in October 2023 cannot be described in words, because one becomes speechless while standing before a monument like this one near the village of Tkuma.
In an incomprehensible contrast that captures the tenacity, the will to rise from the ashes, and to live with hope in peace with the murderers, the sight of Kibbutz Be’eri, whose inhabitants witnessed the greatest horrors, is a symbol of hope. 101 residents of the community were murdered, 31 members of the security services fell defending the kibbutz, and 32 residents were taken hostage, where many were murdered in captivity.
Despite this, half of the original residents have already returned to the kibbutz, and new family homes are being built for the new members. This is Israel.
These were the main activities during the first day of the delegation; more updates are coming soon.
Am Israel Chai
Anna&Ory
