Israel Active

IDF soldiers have found menorahs, Seder plates, and even challah boards in their battles across the Gaza Strip. The items of Judaica had to have been stolen by Gazans either on Oct 7 or previously. The IDF has posted photos of the objects on Facebook and other media to locate their owners.

Kathleen Hayes writes in the Jewish Journal about her first trip to the Jewish State. In her opening sentence she states, “there’s something almost biblical about the Israeli people. Ever-emerging stories about October 7 continue to awe and humble me.” And afterwards, “they are getting on with living”.

Noga Weiss, who was released from Hamas captivity in November, has just completed an IDF training course with honors.  She said, “Today I have finished the course and I feel that I have won. I am excited for the future, to feel that I am able to help other soldiers."

The Jewish Agency for Israel has launched Communities2Gether, to pair 25 Israeli communities with those around the world. The pairings aim to help rebuild infrastructure, mend social bonds and foster long-lasting connections. The priority is to help everyone to return to their homes.

The Russian Jewish Congress and the Center for Jewish Impact have awarded scholarships totaling NIS 430,000 to students at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University residing within 7 km of the Gaza border fence. Many of the students were directly affected by the Oct 7 events.

A group of 30 orphaned Israelis recently returned from a 13-day healing retreat in Mexico. The trip, arranged by Israeli NGO OneFamily and the Jewish community of Mexico City, brought orphans who lost both parents to terrorism (including on Oct 7) along with their adopted families.

Nova victim Sa’ar Ben Sela was almost dead before a Hamas terrorist aimed his gun to finish him off.  But the gun jammed and Sa’ar was eventually brought to Ichilov hospital. After surgery and nine months of recovery, Sa’ar was discharged and walked out of hospital.

Tal, an IDF paramedic was wounded when he went to the aid of a soldier shot by Hezbollah, who subsequently fired an anti-tank missile at him. He is in rehabilitation but has returned to manage the Golani distillery that he and his family own. He is literally keeping up everyone’s spirit!

A video of Isaac Nadoff, a paramedic from Pittsburgh, is circulating currently where he explains his 2.5-week holiday in Israel on Oct 7 became 4.5 months including 50 days in Gaza. He returned to Pittsburgh for 3 months and now he’s “back in Israel for round two”. Kol Hakavod!

IDF Brig Gen (res) Amir Avivi, founder of the IDSF (Israel’s Defense Security Forum) explains how he managed to motivate the 800 soldiers under his command. And the important message that this sends to all supporters of Israel.