Israel Active

A mezuzah was all that survived on Oct 7 from a home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. To honor the memory of the owners of the home, the mezuzah was placed on the doorpost of the new Israeli embassy in Paraguay.

United Hatzalah emergency medic Rabbi Chaim Sassi was seriously wounded by a Hamas terrorist in Sderot on Oct 7. He has now returned to active service after receiving a custom-made “ambucycle” designed to accommodate his lingering leg injury. Rabbi Chaim was praised as “an inspiration”.

At Sheba hospital’s new “Returning to Life Rehabilitation Center for War Casualties”, over 600 patients have undergone critical rehabilitation since Oct 7. Sheba’s original rehab unit was expanded to meet the increased demand for trauma care and rehabilitation for civilians and soldiers.

The festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) has more colorful symbols and features than any other Jewish festival. The streets of Jerusalem are full of decorated booths and people rushing around with palm branches and citrons. Despite the war, crowds thronged the Kotel (Western Wall) plaza.

For many Christians, the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) has special significance due to its prophetic association with the gathering of nations in Jerusalem. Despite the war, thousands of pilgrims from around the world gathered in Jerusalem for the annual Jerusalem Sukkot March.

A replica of the sacred Ark of the Covenant, made of gold and acacia wood, has been on display for the first time, in the sukkah at Jerusalem’s King David Hotel. Inside was placed a Torah scroll that survived the Holocaust. In Biblical times the Ark was taken into battle, reminding us of our ultimate protector.

It was a privilege to hear Rabbi Leo Dee speak at local Netanya shul (McDonald International). You may remember that Arab terrorists murdered his wife and eldest daughters. Rabbi Dee explains how it is possible to recover from such an event and use it as a springboard for positive work.

About time!  The IDF drone interception tests included Elbit (Iron Hawk), IAI (Precise Falcon), Rafael (Typhoon), Aerobotics, Xtend, General Robotics (Pitbull), Smartshooter, Fortem (US) + Elbit. See for most of these and many other Israeli systems previously reported in this newsletter.

IDF Sgt. Omer Ginzburg may have fallen in battle, but his bone grafts will repair orthopedic injuries; his corneas will give sight to the blind; his skin will treat burns injuries, and his heart valves will also be used. Omer’s parents said, "He always thought of others before thinking of himself.”

Ellay Golan’s recovery from 8-weeks in a coma to graduating medical school was reported previously. This article describes how, despite being burned, she bravely fought off Hamas terrorists on Oct 7 to save her 18-month-old baby daughter.