Israel Active

Dozens of volunteers helped the widow of a fallen soldier locate his wedding ring that she wore around her neck, but fell off onto a beach in Ashkelon.  And then Ma'ale Adumim residents found a toddler's implant, worth NIS 40,000, in the garbage at the city’s Magic Kass amusement park.

2nd Lt. Avichail Reuven is another IDF soldier praised publicly by Israel’s Prime Minister during his speech to Congress. On Oct 7 Avichail, who has no car, ran 12 kilometers (8 miles) from his parents’ home in Kiryat Malachi, to the Gaza border to help fight off the terrorists. (Must-see video)

Master Sgt. Ashraf al Bahir said that it was a “great honor” for Israel’s Bedouin community that he was able to travel to Washington with Israel’s Prime Minister, who highlighted his bravery, and that of other non-Jewish soldiers, in his address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress.

Israeli jeweller Alon Mesika has donated over 100 engagement rings in tribute to his son Adir, murdered by Hamas on Oct 7.  Each ring, valued up to 8,000 shekels, went to an IDF soldier planning marriage. “Adir is not going to build a family in Israel, but because of him, a lot of people will”, said Alon.

In a poignant ceremony, a visually impaired grandfather had the unique honor of presenting his grandsons, who serve in the IDF, with their hard-earned berets. Warning - video may cause excessive eye moisture!

Amina Alhasoni, the 7-year-old Bedouin Muslim girl critically wounded in Iran’s April 13 missile attack on the Jewish state (see previously) has been released from Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva. Amina underwent numerous neurosurgeries during her three months in hospital.

The Rebbes of the Belz and Sanz Hassidim are forgoing their vacation this year. Both sects encourage their followers to serve in the IDF. "How can I travel for rest and vacation when we are fighting a battle on all fronts and soldiers are sacrificing their lives”, said the Belz Rebbe.

The shawarma spit is still turning in Toby Abutbul’s fast-food restaurant, Baguette Shlomi in Kiryat Shmona. Toby is determined to remain in the Northern Israeli town and keep his restaurant running - a reflection of the resilience of many Israelis during the war.

Shlomi, a former IDF soldier wounded in the Lebanon War, rises at 5 a.m. to buy the freshest ingredients for his food truck, now based at the ill-fated Nova dance party location. Shlomi  feeds 250-400 soldiers every day since the Gaza war began. The IDF provides sustenance, but Shlomi provides soul food.

On Oct 7, Lt Yehonatan Skariszewski fought Hamas terrorists and guided over 100 Nova festival survivors to safety. He now works for NGO “For the Home, For Tomorrow,” training ex-combat soldiers in manual skills as therapy to counter anxieties following their active service.