Over the years on more than one occasion my family and I had the great privilege of visiting the Beit Halochem Center in
Tel Aviv. It is one of four such centers in Israel that provide rehabilitation, sports and recreational services to wounded soldiers and severely disabled terror victims over the course of their lifetime. Founded in 1949 in the aftermath of Israel’s War of Independence by the non-profit Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization (ZDVO), Beit Halochem Centers combine state of the art physical, hydro and occupational therapies along with sports and creative activities to try to heal wounded bodies and minds. Today more than 50,000 men and women take advantage of the wide variety of services offered veterans to help support them and reintegrate them back into society.
Once released from the hospital, each newly disabled soldier is given special, individualized attention and has a rehab program designed according to his or her needs. It was with this in mind that I read with great emotion the following note from Ora Seidner, my friend who serves as head of project development for ZDVO.
“Last night Beit Halochem Tel Aviv hosted 80 from amongst the more severely wounded officers and soldiers from Operation Protective Edge. They came together with their families and girlfriends,” Ora’s note began.
She explained that the soldiers were given a warm welcome and introduction to Beit Halochem Sunday night. They were treated to dinner, a performance by a comedian along with a presentation of the many and varied services that will be available to them from ZDVO. Major General (res) Yoav Gallant, the head of Friends of ZDVO in Israel, told these young soldiers, “We will stand by your side. Know that you are not alone.”
And so the long road to recovery — and eventual re-entry to Israeli society — begins for this new “crop” of wounded soldiers, many who have devastating injuries. Regardless of veteran’s disability, sports participation is highly encouraged as part of the rehab process. The talented therapists at Beit Halochem find a way to adapt any sport to a soldier’s injury. This helps combat the depression that often accompanies severe, crippling injuries such as blindness, amputations and paraplegia.
We’ve seen firsthand just how important Beit Halochem and the treatments provided by ZDVO are to these wounded veterans. During one visit to Beit Halochem, my family and I met a former IDF sniper who had been blinded by a war injury. He went on to become a champion air-rifle shooter, with the aid of a specially designed gun and hearing pieces.
Ora tells me there are many wounded war vets from Operation Protective Edge that are taking on these challenges and are just as determined to overcome their disabilities as did the IDF sniper we met. She told me that one young man who attended Sunday evening’s reception was a Golani Brigade soldier who suffered a gunshot wound to his head during the first days of battle. A team of 17 doctors and nurses struggled to save the young man’s life and he subsequently underwent 10 surgeries. Today, against all odds he is standing on his legs — but his rehabilitation will be long and difficult, emotionally as well as physically. He lost his best friend, Daniel Pomerantz, in the Gaza fighting.
Gal, another young guest at Beit Halochem Sunday night, was severely wounded by shrapnel to his head and limbs. Gal’s best friend Avi Grinzveig carried the stretcher to the military helicopter that came to rescue him. Just nine hours later, Avi was killed in action. Despite his serious injuries, Gal insisted that he be taken to Avi’s funeral the next day.
These are just a few stories. The road will be a long and arduous one for many of these brave young soldiers. Perhaps we can let them know that American Jews will “stand by their side” as well.
For more information about Beith Halochem or wounded soldiers in Israel, visit ZDVO.org.
Kathi Rosenberg is a member of Congregation BIAV and has visited Israel many times. Anyone planning to travel to Israel and is interested in visiting Beit Halochem may email Rosenberg at .