Israel Active

Last week’s newsletter included news of the six people saved by the organs of fallen soldier Yehonatan Semo / Samo (see previously). This week he is emulated by Amichai Rubin. Roi Nahari, Shoham Ben Harush, and Naaran Ashchar.

Since Oct 7, Dutch-based Israeli entrepreneur Eran Efrat, has raised some $40 million to produce tactical gear for IDF soldiers. He didn’t simply give the money to the army but directly solicited US-based manufacturers to produce helmets, ceramic vests, and more.

On his 9th birthday, Ohad Munder was a hostage in Gaza. He was told that his favorite soccer team, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, wished him a happy birthday on TV. It gave Ohad renewed strength and on his release, the players visited him in hospital.

Schneider Children's Hospital is THE hospital designated to receive many of the released children and their families. It has a media-free area, decorated recovery rooms, a multi-disciplinary team of medical and support staff, even family pets are allowed. See photos & donation links here. (UK donors) (Israeli & US donors)

Beraha Astruk is a Head Nurse at Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. After work, she voluntarily spends her evenings and weekends cooking for two IDF battalions stationed near the northern border. She even invites the soldiers to do their laundry at her house. Beraha has two sons in the IDF in Gaza.

Eritrean national Mulugeta Tsagi received permanent residency status in Israel as a “thank you” for saving an Israeli soldier’s life on Oct. 7. Tsagi gave lifesaving first aid to an IDF officer shot by Hamas in Sderot, then stayed with him for several hours until he finally reached hospital.

Eran Smilansky was a member of Kibbutz Nir Oz’s emergency squad. On Oct 7, he eliminated eight Hamas terrorists who had stormed his home. He then saved his father and his two daughters at his father’s home that the terrorists had tried to burn down with his family inside.

This article describes the journey of a Sefer Torah scroll. Written in Russia over a century ago, it survived the Holocaust, the siege of Leningrad and communist Russia. It made Aliyah to a synagogue in Netzarim, Gaza but had to leave in the 2005 disengagement. It is now being used by IDF soldiers in Gaza.

A welcome addition to the (sadly too few) sites giving continuous unbiased news from Israel. Backed by famous Israeli Middle East expert Prof Mordechai Kedar.  Available on the web and mobile app.

The organs of IDF Staff Sergeant Yehonatan Yitzhak Semo (/Samo), 21, who died from wounds inflicted in Gaza, were donated to six patients including a 10-year-old child and an 8-month-old infant.