050-683-9259
פרויקט העצמה בשילוב פצועי צה"ל
"Together for Them" project established by El Ami - El Atzmi non profit organization
togetherforthem@elami-elatzmi.co.il
POB 747, Hod Hasharon, ISRAEL
Bringing wounded IDF combat veterans to schools and Jewish communities, enabling them to tell their inspiring stories.
Menu in pictures - click on the hero's picture to get his full card
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SFC B.
Sergent First Class B. was born in 1996 and lives in Petah Tikva.
B. was born in the Ukraine and made Aliya with his family at the age of 12. He studied at the military boarding school "Kztinei-Yam" in Acre, enlisted in the army and served in Dovedvan, a commando unit.
After required army service B. worked in the Ministry of Defense in the Personal Security Unit and traveled the world.
The Iron Swords War found him traveling in Japan, and B. immediately returned to Israel and enlisted in his commando brigade.
On November 10, B. was injured by a bomb that was set off at the entrance to a tunnel at a mosque in Beit Hanon. B. was seriously injured mostly in the pelvis area and intestines and lost one leg.
B. is recovering and learning to walk with a prosthesis, and insists on being independent and returning to “devour” all life has to offer.
B.'s Life motto:
Life is beautiful and we have no right to give up on it
Asif Avrahami
Captain Asif Avrahami was born in 1997, lives in the town of Achisamach in central Israel.
Asif served in the Egoz unit of the commando brigade, and was team commander of his fighters. He finished his required army service in 2022 and has since been working in security in African countries.
As soon as Asif heard of the events of October 7 he returned home immediately and enlisted together with his soldiers.
After two months of fighting in Gaza, during fierce combat in El Buriej, a hand grenade went off nearby and his arm was wounded from the shrapnel.
He is still in rehabilitation but expects to resume service soon and fight on the Lebanese front.
Asif is a skilled artist, specializing in beautiful pencil drawings and wood engravings.
Asif's Life motto:
talk less, do more
Amit Steinberg
Sergeant First Class Amit Steinberg, born in 2002, lives in Ramat Gan.
Amit was born in Ramat Gan and went to Blich High School, was an exceptional athlete and skilled soccer player. In 2021 Amit was drafted into the elite commando unit Duvdevan.
On October 7 he was the company commander’s personal radio operator and their unit was sent to fight in Kfar Gaza. Amidst a viscous encounter with terrorists Amit’s commander was killed, an additional friend was killed and still another was wounded (and has been on a ventilator ever since), and Amit was wounded. Amit and his seriously wounded friend crawled to safety and found a hidden spot and thus were saved and later evacuated.
Amit loves being around people and happy social circles , is dedicated to sports and travel around beautiful Israel.
Amit’s Life motto:
Keep trying until you succeed
Tamir Dudi
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Tamir was born in 2000, lives in Jerusalem and married to Nov.
Tamir was raised in Holon till age 18, and at that age he went to a Pre-Military Academies (Mechinot) for two years in Aderet and Mechinat Hanegev. Afterwards, he was drafted into Nachal recon and finished his training, including commander course and sergeant uprank.
He was chosen to begin officers course and during this period he became more traditionally religious and moved to Givat Harel in the Shomron.
After his training he served as a team commander in the special forces in the Nachal Patrol. He later moved as a platoon commander in the 932nd Battalion in the Nachal.
On October 7, 2023 Tamir was fighting in Sderot, and also in the kibbutzim Miflasim and Re’im. When he started fighting Gaza it was as a platoon commander. During combat with a group of terrorists inside a house in Jeballiah, he was shot in both the leg and in arm including shrapnel injuries.
Tamir loves to travel and loves Eretz Israel.
Tamir's Life motto:
We must give our all to others, always , even at our own personal expense.
Nir Sabag
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Nir, born in 1996, was born and raised in Moshav Gan Hashomron, and currently lives in Tel Aviv.
He served as a fighter in the Dudvan unit and was released after full service.
Nir was injured along with 12 of his team members during the first week of the ground maneuver in the Beit Hanon area, as a result of a drone dropping a grenade on the protected area he was in.
He was taken to Sheba Hospital with multiple shrapnel injuries in the leg, arm and back, where he was hospitalized for about two months in the orthopedic and rehabilitation unit.
Nir is currently studying towards a degree in electrical engineering and physics and works in the hardware field.
Nir’s Life motto:
Believe that you can, and you are already more than half way there
Tom Harari
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First Sergeant Tom Harari, born in 2002, lives in Kibbutz Kfar Rupin in the Valley of the Springs area.
Tom served in the Golani Brigade, 13th Battalion and was a platoon commander and then a platoon sergeant.
Tom fought in the events of October 7, and the outpost that Tom commanded, thanks to his exemplary performance, did not fall into the hands of Hamas. Tom continued to fight inside the Gaza Strip until Jan 1st when he was shot in the leg by IDF fire during an operational activity in Al Burij.
Tom was evacuated to Ichilov Hospital and then transferred to Sheba Hospital for rehabilitation lasting about a month and a half.
Today Tom continues a rehabilitation process and tells his courageousstory throughout the country.
Tom's Life motto:
Still waters run deep
Ori Ascher
Ori Ascher, born in 1997, lives in Kedomim in Samaria.
Until the "Iron Swords" war, Ori was engaged in the field of AI and business optimization.
On Simchat Torah, October 7, Ori and his tank team were enlisted to the north, where they spent the rest of the week training for the entrance to Gaza. After eight days, an order was received to move with the tank to Kibbutz Hanita on the northern border to join the war effort in the area.
12 hours after they arrived at their position, the tank next to them was hit by a "Cornet" anti-tank missile. Ori's team went to search for the shooters and took a direct hit as well.
Ori lost his left leg. Thereafter he began a long rehabilitation process, and after almost seven months, he left the hospital walking on one healthy leg and one prosthesis.
Today Ori returns to his business career. He is also busy lecturing about his injury, the rehabilitation process and how he has grown from it.
Ori’s Life motto:
Incomplete on the outside, whole on the inside
Nitzan Levi
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Nitzan Levy, born in 1994, married to Sivan and father of two.
An officer in the armoured corps, during his mandatory army service Nitzan served in the 7th Brigade, and reached the position of a company commander. Nitzan enjoyed doing the training course very much, and also fought in many fronts (all except Lebanon). Nitzan was released from mandatory service in 2021 and was immediately called up to the reserves. In the reserves, Nitzan serves as a deputy company commander in the 4th Brigade on Merkava 4 tanks. He began fighting on October 7th alongside paratroopers and after 3 and a half months of battle Nitzan was seriously wounded by RPG fire on his tank. A good friend was killed and the others on his team were all seriously injured.
Thereafter Nitzan got to know the world of hospitals- he was the ICU of Soroka Hospital for 5 and a half months and then was moved to rehabilitation at Ichilov Hospital. It was a difficult and complex experience in all respects: personal, marital and family. Nitzan is very grateful that he has a superhero wife who holds everything together while he heals. Today Nitzan is learning to live with his injuries and trying to be positive and help those around him as much as possible.
Nitzan's Life motto:
Life is a journey, start with a small step and in the end you will climb mountains.
Almog Zadok
Almog was born in 2002, grew up and was educated in Herzliya.
Almog, as a child, loved being in Scouts and playing soccer.
At the age of 18, he enlisted, as he requested, to the engineering corps in battalion 601. In the battalion Almog held many positions and later went to officer’s course and returned to the battalion as a platoon commander.
During his army service, his family (due to his mother's work) moved to Tenafly, New Jersey. Almog remained alone in the country, but was surrounded by family and friends who took care of him like a son.
When the Iron Sword war started Almog was commanding a track department at the BAHL”Z (Military Engineering School, where the training base for combat engineering is located). The IDF, as a result of the war, had begun emergency training for soldiers, trying to teach as much content as possible in as little time as possible, and in December the soldiers finished the training and joined the battalion to fight in the Gaza Strip.
Almog moved up to the 603rd Battalion and was given a new platoon to command, in the battles in Khan Yunis Almog was hit by an R.P.G. in the leg and in the hand and lost half of the palm of his hand. He is currently in the process of rehabilitation and plans to return to the army when he is fit enough.
Almog’s Life motto:
"It is what it is and with that we will win”
Gabriel Timchenko
Gabriel was born in 2003 in Petah Tikva and at the age of 5 he moved to Beit Aryeh, where he still lives today.
Before the army, Gabriel loved to travel, engaged in community activities as a counselor and was a Scoutmaster. In addition, all his life until the army he was involved in a variety of different fields of sports.
In 2022, Gabriel enlisted in the Golani Brigade, Battalion 13, where he served as a fighter and commander.
On Saturday, October 7, 2023, Gabriel remained at the Yiftah outpost as the commander of the outpost's standby squad. During the fighting in the outpost Gabriel was shot in his leg. He continued to fight and helped treat the wounded and only after five hours was he taken to the hospital.
Today, Gabriel is mainly concerned with commemorating his friends and soldiers under his command who fell in combat.
Gabriel's Life motto:
Only in the darkest of nights can you see the stars.
Omri Rozenblit
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Lieutenant Omri Rozenblit was born in 2001, and lives in Ramat Hasharon.
Omri was in the elite paratroopers unit and was a fighter team commander.
In the Iron Swords War, after 91 days of fighting Omri was seriously injured as a result of an explosion in a house rigged with explosives in Khan Yunis.
While buried in the ruins, lost his leg and was seriously injured, Omri displayed great bravery and courage and was able to save himself and his soldiers.
Omri is currently completing a long rehabilitation process in Tel Hashomer hospital.
Omri’s Life motto:
Always starts off on the right foot
Matan Falach
First Sergeant Matan Falah, born in 2003, lives in Hod Hasharon.
Matan served in the Nachal Brigade, went through a commander’s course, fought as a coms specialist to the company commander. He then served as the commander of a medical squad in the 932 Battalion, which was one of the first infantry battalions to enter Gaza on foot in the Iron Swords War. His younger brother enlisted, while Matan was fighting in Gaza, to the same brigade, the same battalion, and the same company as Matan.
Matan fought for about a month in the north of the Gaza Strip, with a paramedic and three medics under his command, who were an integral part of every attack carried out by the force. While the company was staying in the Palestine Square area, Matan stayed with the paramedic and two other fighters protecting and guarding Gazan prisoners they had captured. Suddenly they spotted a terrorist who was headed to attack the rest of their company that were close by clearing a building. Matan went out with the paramedic to flank the terrorist before he attacked the company, encountered the terrorist, and was hit by a bullet. Matan was indeed injured, but thereby saved the lives of the other fighters who did not know about the terrorist who was on his way to attack them.
Matan is currently in daily rehabilitation, is being treated for trauma with horseback riding , and dreams of finishing his rehabilitation and fulfilling the dreams he had before the war.
Matan's Life motto:
Do good, it will be good!
Hanoch Gutovski
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Hanoch Gutovski, born in 2002, lives in Moshav Misgav Dov.
As a child he loved to tour around the country, play outside with friends and practice martial arts.
After high school he completed a year of service in Shomer Hachadash organization and worked in agriculture in the Gaza Envelope.
In 2021, he enlisted into the Nachal patrol ("Sayeret"). On the morning of the 7th of October, he was on duty over Shabbat at the Sufa outpost and was on alert as part of his platoon’s fighter task force.
Hanoch and his team were caught in an anti-tank ambush at the entrance to the outpost and the tank they were in was disabled, they had no choice but to exit the tank and fight.
After 3 hours of treacherous fighting Hanoch was injured in his left hand but continued to fight for another 4 hours until he was evacuated.
Today Hanoch continues his rehabilitation at Beit HaLochem in Tel Aviv, works in the construction field and travels a lot in Israel.
Hanoch’s Life motto:
Only good things happen to me
Shlomi Goldstein
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Dr. Shlomi Goldstein is a dentist, married to Naama, father of 5 children and lives in Jerusalem.
After his studies at the Noam Midrashia in Pardes Hana, he studied for many years at the Tefarat Zvi Yeshiva and Merkaz HaRav.
Between 2001-2003 he served in the Armored Corps and continued in the reserves until 2012.
Shlomi participated in the Second Lebanon War and in various operations.
In 2015, after completing his dental studies, he returned to military service and performed several positions within the Medical Corps.
On Simchat Torah, when Iron Swords War broke out , Dr. Shlomi was on medical duty at the Hatmar Binyamin base in Judea and Samaria and was involved in the recruitment and preparation of the reserve forces that were mobilized for that sector. That morning he joined the identification unit 6017 of the medical corps at the Shura camp, and together with rabbinical staff performed the holy task of identifying the martyrs and the many dead, soldiers and civilians alike. This crucial work enabled them to bring those killed to proper burial in Israel in a dignified and holy manner.
During the month of December, Shlomi and a team from the unit entered the outskirts of Jabalia as part of an operation to identify the bodies of abductees. Towards the end of the operation, a mortar shell was dropped on them from a drone and Shlomi was seriously injured in his legs and abdomen from a lot of shrapnel. He was hospitalized and rehabilitated at Tel Hashomer and Hadassah hospitals for about six months.
Today, although Shlomi is still in the process of rehabilitation from his injury, he had returned to service in the army, receiving patients and working in the identification unit.
Shlomi's Life motto:
We must learn to live together as brothers, only united will we win.
Laron Schwartzman
Laron Schwartzman, born in 1994, is married to Yonit and lives in Tel Aviv. Laron is a director, screenwriter and a young film and television producer.
He served in the canine Unit, called “Oketz”, became an officer in that unit and after his release from mandatory duty continued to volunteer for the special squadron as a reservist.
Laron served during Operation Protective Edge, was called in to Operation Guardian of the Walls ("Shomer Ha-homot") and fought as a reservist in the Iron Swords War as well.
Laron's role is to command the canine squad that fights with the regular servicemen brigades and leads the forces while protecting the fighters.
After nearly five months of fighting, during his third tour, Laron was wounded in Khan Yunis after his unit, together with a paratrooper unit took over the Victory Children’s Hospital in Southern Gaza, that had been barricaded and taken over as a stronghold my Hamas terrorists.
After being evacuated by helicopter to Sheba Hospital, Laron was hospitalized for three months and underwent rehabilitation at Ichilov Hospital. Although still undergoing outpatient rehab Laron is starting to get back to producing and creating and relaying his personal war story.
Laron’s Life motto:
Keep smiling, everything gets messed up for the good.
Ben Barel
Sergeant Major (Ret.) Ben Barel, born in 1995, is in a loving relationship and resides in Jerusalem.
Ben enlisted in the Haruv Battalion of the Kfir Brigade. In the reserves, he served in Battalion 9218 of the 4th Brigade (Kiryati) as a fighter.
Ben was on vacation in Thailand at the beginning of the Iron Swords War and immediately returned to fight. After 3 tours in Gaza, Ben was seriously injured by a wall collapse in Khan Younis in December 2023.
Ben was hospitalized at Soroka Hospital and Sheba Hospital for about 7 months and underwent several surgeries.
Currently, Ben has successfully completed his degree in economics, lives with Mia, his fiancée (whom he met in the reserves at the beginning of the war), runs 10 km twice a week, is looking for a job, and is planning his wedding. He is returning to life stronger with each passing day.
Ben's Life motto:
Two people can bear the burden of their existence if they support one another.
Eyal Cohen
Eyal Cohen, born in 1982, is married with 4 daughters, grew up in Netanya and currently lives in Rehovot.
Eyal owns a start-up project in the field of consumer shopping called FID.
Eyal was enlisted on October 7 to the “Orev” Paratroopers unit.
Eyal was seriously injured on December 16, 2023 in Khan Yunis from an explosive device that, among other things, caused great blood loss. Only the resourcefulness and the unconventional actions of a doctor in the field saved his life.
Today Eyal is rehabilitating in Sheba Hospital.
Eyal’s Life motto:
"Fewer words prevent conflict "
Yaniv Galkovsky
Lieutenant Yaniv Galkovsky, born in 2001, is single and lives in the city of Modi'in.
Yaniv served in the Kfir Brigade and was a platoon commander in the commanders' course.
On October 7, Yaniv fought with the Bislach (Infantry Academy) Brigade for about two months throughout the Gaza Strip.
Several months later, at the entrance to Khan Yunis, Yaniv was seriously injured as a result of a booby-trapped house in an incident in which 13 of his soldiers were also injured. From his unit Yitzhak, Afik Teri, and Dolev Malka were killed, may their memory be a blessing.
Yaniv is currently recovering from several months of rehabilitation, and is busy commemorating and remembering the soldiers he lost.
Yaniv's Life motto:
Always be in motion
Shimon Cohen
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Sergeant Major Shimon Cohen, born in 1987, is married to Rotem and is a father of six children. He lives in the community of Ateret in Judea and Samaria.
Shimon served in Battalion 932 of the Nahal Brigade and was discharged in 2009. Since then, he has been involved in formal and non-formal education as a teacher, educator, and in various management roles.
On October 7, 2023, after defending his community in his role as deputy security officer, Shimon and his team from Battalion 8105 of the Paratroopers Reserve Brigade were deployed. After operational activity in Judea and Samaria and over a month of maneuvering in the central Gaza Strip, he was wounded by a mortar shell that fell near him during an operation.
After a long hospitalization in Sheba, he is currently undergoing outpatient rehabilitation and is waiting to return to his team and his students.
Shimon's Life motto:
"Always trying to be crazy in love with Israel."
Matan Barr
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Matan was born in 2003 and lives in Tel Aviv.
He was born and raised in Long Island, New York, to a Zionist family.
Matan was a leader in Scouts, taught youngsters about Israel, was well connected with the community, and dreamed of making Aliyah and enlisting in the IDF.
At 18, he moved to Israel to join the army with Garin Gefen.
He enlisted in the Kfir Brigade, in the Haruv reconnaissance unit. During basic training, a dud grenade exploded near him. Matan was injured by shrapnel and also in his right ear. After about two months, he returned to the army and completed his training. Two days later, on October 7th, Matan and his team were deployed to Kibbutz Be'eri. For four days, they participated in battles within the kibbutz and in the evacuation and rescue of residents.
After Be'eri, they moved to the Judea and Samaria area for a month, then returned to the south to fight in Gaza, they fought for about five months in several areas of the Strip.
Afterward, Matan and his unit returned to Judea and Samaria, carried out many operations, and even went north for activity in Lebanon.
Matan was injured seven days after completing his mandatory service, while he and his team continued their activity as reservists. During an operational activity in the Jenin area, an IED exploded underneath their vehicle. Matan and two other soldiers were wounded. Matan managed to crawl out, treat his injured friends, and call for help. Matan shattered his foot, suffered shrapnel wounds to his shin, a perforated eardrum, a concussion, and also suffers from PTSD.
Matan continues his rehabilitation process but is optimistic about the future.
Matan's Life motto:
The hope of a people returning home to live in freedom, peace, and security.
Oz Ocampo
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Oz, 21, lives in Shlomi, in northern Israel near the Lebanese border.
Oz enlisted in the IDF in 2023 and served in the Kfir Brigade, Nachshon Battalion. On October 7th, he fought in various kibbutzim in the Gaza envelope. In December 2023, he began a squad commanders' course. As part of the course, he entered combat in Gaza.
On March 1, 2024, Oz's entire team entered a booby-trapped house in Khan Yunis, where a powerful explosive device detonated. Three of Oz's very close friends were killed in the explosion, including Dolev Malka, Hy"d, his childhood friend.
Oz was critically wounded by the blast, sustaining a severe head injury and lung bleeding, and was evacuated to Soroka Medical Center. He was sedated and intubated for two and a half weeks. Oz surprised his doctors with his recovery and continues to make great progress in rehabilitation.
During rehabilitation, Oz has met amazing people who help and care for him, and he is on the right path to a full recovery.
Oz's Life motto:
A fallen friend's sentence : "From a moment of sadness, we will emerge great and strong."
Kayam Boccara
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Captain Kayam Boccara, born in 2000, is single and lives in Kibbutz Harel.
Kayam served in the Combat Engineering Corps as a company commander in Battalion 601.
On October 7th, Kayam and his company were undergoing training. Upon completion, they joined the fighting in Gaza.
In December 2023, after a month of fighting in the Gaza Strip, his team entered a building where terrorists had set an ambush. Platoon sergeant Ben Zussman and Sergeant Benji Needham from his unit were killed in the exchange of fire. Kayam and his squad neutralized all the terrorists in the building, and Kayam was critically wounded by an explosive device as part of the same incident.
Currently, Kayam is studying for a BA degree in Law and is continuing rehabilitation for his lungs and right hand at the rehab department of Sheba Hospital.
Kayam's Life motto:
Its hard to knock down someone who never gives up
Haim Gal Otachi
Master Sergeant (res.) Haim Gal Otachi, born in 1987, is married with two daughters and a son. He grew up in Tel Aviv and currently lives in Ness Ziona.
Haim is a software engineer at Elbit Systems. He completed his mandatory service in the Golani Brigade's 51st Battalion and served as a squad commander in the reserves for Battalion 8101 of the Alexandroni Brigade.
On October 7th, in the early morning hours, Haim independently took his weapon and went south to fight. Later that day, his entire unit was called to the northern border due to concerns about Hezbollah infiltration into northern communities. Haim completed two rounds of reserve duty during the war: six months on the Lebanese border and a combat tour in Gaza.
On July 4, 2024, Haim was severely wounded by rocket fire on the outskirts of Nuseirat, in the Netzarim Corridor area. Haim sustained shrapnel wounds throughout his body and was evacuated by helicopter to Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem. He underwent life-saving surgery, and doctors were able to save his left leg, which was very close to amputation, though most of the shrapnel remains in his body. Later, due to a severed main nerve, he underwent another complex surgery where nerves were transplanted. Today, his leg is motorically functional, but Haim lacks sensation in the leg and suffers from pain.
Haim is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Sheba Hospital and Beit Halochem.
Haim's Life motto:
Always find the good in others, and be united and cohesive; that way, no one will ever defeat us
Master Sergeant Y.
Master Sergeant Y., born in 1984, is married with five children and lives in Neria.
Y. enlisted in a special forces unit in the IDF. After his release, he worked as the community center director in a big town in the Binyamin Region until the start of the war.
As a reservist, Y. serves in a distinguished and elite unit, which is why he has completed many reserve duty days.
On October 7, 2023, he rushed to his unit and from there, with helicopters, arrived with them to the Gaza Envelope communities. After 14 hours of fighting, during which they rescued dozens of hostages, Y. was wounded in the legs by a burst of gunfire.
Since then, he has been undergoing rehabilitation in hospitals and has not yet returned to full function.
M.S. Y.'s Life motto:
And for everything, HaShem our G-d, we thank you
Leading values
Love of Israel – Faith – Gratitude – partnership
Ahavat Israel - the inner force that drives the program and the wounded of the IDF, who take part in it. Love that does not depend on the people of Israel and its state - "Kol Israel Arevim Ze La-Ze".
Faith - "Hope is an act of faith". - Belief in human life, in the life of the nation, in the long-standing Jewish tradition. Belief in the inner strengths of each one breeds optimism and a positive attitude towards life. "Faith is taking the first step even when you do not see the big picture".
Gratitude - Seeing the good as a key component in life. To give thanks for what is and strive to win all the time out of a desire to increase the good in the world. See constantly the half full glass and from it, strive to fill the other half. "Modde Ani" before "Ani Modde".
Partnership - A worldview in which a person sees himself as taking part in processes and not as standing aside.
A deep understanding that partnering with the talents and abilities which are scattered around the world can lead to greater perfection. "Two are better than one".