BHUK Winter Magazine 2023

WINTER MAGAZINE

2023

Inside • Courage in Motion • Athletes Stories • Forthcoming Events This magazine has been kindly sponsored by:

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Message from The Chairman of Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation Dear Friends, This year marks the 75th Independence Anniversary of the State of Israel. Alongside the joy and the celebrations, we are reminded daily that our organization continues, unfortunately, to grow.

It is our goal to work tirelessly, for the benefit of the thousands of men and women who so bravely bear the scars on their bodies and souls as they served to defend Israel’s right to exist as a free nation.

This past year we were once again excited to host the 2nd Veteran Games and Conference at Tel Aviv’s Beit Halochem and continue the important and meaningful project initiated by our friends at BHUK. In June, I was honored to lead a delegation of our wounded veterans to take part in the festive 10th Anniversary Gala Celebration of Beit Halochem UK. The warm embrace with which we were received there reminded us that the Beit Halochem family extends far beyond the boundaries of Israel. It was a very heartwarming and amazing evening amongst true friends.

We will look forward to the growing collaboration with BHUK in the year ahead and are extremely grateful to our colleagues in the UK for their relentless, ongoing efforts to improve the lives of our members.

It is through your invaluable partnership and support that we are able to plan and move ahead to attain the many goals we have set forth for the coming year.

I send you and your families greetings for good health along with our deepest appreciation and gratitude.

Yours, Edan Kleiman, Adv. Chairman Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation

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Message from The Chairman of Beit Halochem UK How a society treats its most vulnerable is always the measure of its humanity.

Israel can be rightly proud of the way in which those who have risked their lives to protect the State of Israel are supported if they are wounded, traumatised or experience life changing injuries in their commitment to keep the land of Israel and its citizens safe.

As we reflect on the past 10 years of Beit Halochem UK, we should be immensely proud of the support that has been offered to the 51,000 IDF injured veterans, victims of terror and their families. Beit Halochem is a charity like no other, restoring purpose, self-esteem and dignity to our wounded soldiers and their families, for life.

So, what have we achieved in 10 years? With huge thanks to all of our loyal supporters, we have raised a staggering £22 million. Your donations have funded the following; • • • •

Contribution to the annual running costs of the four rehabilitation facilities, Activities programme at the young members club, Education and sporting scholarship programmes which have enabled our members to gain employment and reach new heights A number of major capital projects; including the construction of a new hydrotherapy pool in Jerusalem, the completion of the fitness hall in Haifa and the building of the aquatic centre in Tel Aviv.

It has been central to our beliefs that we would not just be a UK fundraising arm of an Israeli charity, we want our UK donors and their families to really connect with the difference we make. So, on top of providing financial support, we have taken wounded IDF veterans to many Jewish and non-Jewish primary and secondary schools to share their inspiring stories of resilience and overcoming adversity.

We have also taken over 2,000 students to visit one of the four Beit Halochem centres in Israel via their schools’ trips.

In 2019 Beit Halochem UK were instrumental in creating the Veteran Games and Conference in Israel.

This ground-breaking initiative took place at our Tel Aviv and Jerusalem centres. We brought together sixty wounded UK military veterans and their families with wounded Israeli veterans for five days of sporting competitions and cultural activities in Israel. In addition to this, we hosted the first UK/Israel Conference on physical and mental rehabilitation. The programme was deemed so successful that it was repeated in May 2022 and will take place once again in 2023.

I hope you’ll agree that we have achieved a significant amount since 2012. However, whilst we have injured soldiers and victims of terror to rehabilitate, our work is never done.

Most of all I thank you, our generous donors, friends, and supporters. Without you, the lives of the young men and women injured protecting the State of Israel would be much bleaker On behalf of my fellow Trustees, I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy 2023.

Andrew Wolfson BHUK Chairman

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January 2023 January 2023

Message from the Chief Rabbi Message from the Chief Rabbi I am delighted to extend my heartfelt best wishes to Beit Halochem, which is, without a doubt, I am delighted to extend my heartfelt best wishes to Beit Halochem, which is, without a doubt, one of Israel’s most crucial and inspirational charities. one of Israel’s most crucial and inspirational charities.

The Hebrew word ‘lochem’ from which Beit Halochem derives its name, means ‘warrior’ and it The Hebrew word ‘lochem’ from which Beit Halochem derives its name, means ‘warrior’ and it has the same root as the word ‘lechem’ meaning ‘bread’. What is the connection between the has the same root as the word ‘lechem’ meaning ‘bread’. What is the connection between the two? two?

When we make a blessing over bread, we thank God, ‘who brings forth bread from the earth’.

When we make a blessing over bread, we thank God, ‘who brings forth bread from the earth’.

Yet, God himself does not provide the bread. He provides the grain from which people are able Yet, God himself does not provide the bread. He provides the grain from which people are able to make bread. The blessing teaches us the powerful lesson that nothing comes to us without to make bread. The blessing teaches us the powerful lesson that nothing comes to us without toil and exertion. If we take responsibility for investing the effort into growing the crops, toil and exertion. If we take responsibility for investing the effort into growing the crops, processing them into ingredients and then taking the time to mix and bake them, only then we processing them into ingredients and then taking the time to mix and bake them, only then we will be rewarded with the staple food for our physical sustenance. So, too, with a warrior. No will be rewarded with the staple food for our physical sustenance. So, too, with a warrior. No person is born a soldier. They need countless hours of training, learning and honing their skills person is born a soldier. They need countless hours of training, learning and honing their skills to be able to protect us. If we take our responsibility to invest in our defence forces seriously to be able to protect us. If we take our responsibility to invest in our defence forces seriously then we can benefit from safety and security. then we can benefit from safety and security.

Beit Halochem exists because it understands that an essential part of that responsibility is the Beit Halochem exists because it understands that an essential part of that responsibility is the care we provide to soldiers when they can no longer serve as ‘warriors’. The commitment that care we provide to soldiers when they can no longer serve as ‘warriors’. The commitment that we show to the wellbeing of those who put their lives on the line for the protection of the Jewish we show to the wellbeing of those who put their lives on the line for the protection of the Jewish state, is absolutely essential for Israel’s future. state, is absolutely essential for Israel’s future.

May all your sacred endeavours be blessed during the coming year and may it be one of peace May all your sacred endeavours be blessed during the coming year and may it be one of peace for Medinat Yisrael and of World Jewry. for Medinat Yisrael and of World Jewry.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

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‫ בשוי‬- ‫תסנכה שאר‬

Speaker of the Knesset 2022/2023

To Friends of the ZDVO/Beit Halochem Shalom, Re: The Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation Since its establishment, 73 years ago, the Zahal Disabled Organisation has been working alongside and in cooperation with the Rehabilitation Division of the Ministry of Defence for the rehabilitation of Israel's disabled veterans, wounded while serving in the security forces who bear the scars of their injury on their often never-ending and arduous rehabilitation journey.

The Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation is by Law, the only entity in Israel responsible for representing approximately 51,000 members, men and women, and is unparalleled in the world. Although we hope that no new members join the organisation, unfortunately, the reality of life in Israel shows otherwise. We must, therefore, strive to preserve the values and the rehabilitation network and programmes that the organisation offers.

The highest value and the fundamental goal of the organisation is to help the disabled, wounded during their military or security service, to return as quickly as possible, to a normal life path, as productive members of society. This goal is achieved through assistance in the fields of physical and mental rehabilitation, deep thought, professional experience and the allocation of inexhaustible financial resources.

Moreover, the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation established four Beit Halochem Rehabilitation, Sports and Recreation centres in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem and Beer Sheva, and currently a fifth one is being built along the shores of the coastal city of Ashdod. The organisation established five District Offices across the country that provide a wide range of services to the members.

In its spirit and actions, the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation encompasses those values deeply anchored and forming the basis of our existence as a nation and as human beings – the value of mutual responsibility, camaraderie and giving to others.

Respectfully yours, Mickey Levy Speaker of the Knesset

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George Washington once said, "A nation is judged by how well it treats its veterans". Thanks to the excellent work of BHUK, I am proud to say that Israel treats its veterans and their families extremely well.

Our armed forces are the backbone of our country. Our servicemen and women are integral to the very existence of Israel and they form the fabric of our national identity. We rely on them every day to protect our liberty and independence, and so keep out citizens out of harm's way. Our armed forces are there for us in our time of need. It is only right therefore, that we repay that debt by supporting them in return.

The incredible work that BHUK does in providing physical, psychological and occupational support to Israel's veterans is, therefore, so important. As you and your supporters reflect on all that you have achieved since your founding, I invite you to look to the future.

With the support of everyone, I am confident that BHUK will continue to offer vital rehabilitative services and life-long care for our brave veterans and their families for many more years to come. I have no doubt that you will have growing success in the essential work that you do and I look forward to continuing to follow the charity's journey.

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So, What Is Beit Halochem?

A Rehabilitation sport and recreation centre •

For disabled veterans, victims of terror, and their families

•

Without reference of background or cause of injury

•

Adapted for all types of disabilities, essential to the wellbeing and to the physical and mental rehabilitation

•

Victory of the spirit over the body

Beit Halochem is a Home •

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A place that enables the wounded to rebuild their lives

•

A place to realise their dreams

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The Organisation in numbers per year

•

•

60,000 physiotherapy treatments per year

•

40,000 treatments at the hydrotherapy pools

•

267,000 annual training sessions at the fitness centres at each Beit Halochem

•

600 educational scholarships are distributed to our members

1,800 therapy programmes for those who suffer with PTSD

Their story is our story.

Together we will remain by their side forever.

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Beit Halochem Centres

Tel Aviv Beit Halochem Tel Aviv opened its doors in 1974, after the Yom Kippur War. It was built on seven acres of land allocated to the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation by the late Yehoshua Rabinovitz, then mayor of Tel Aviv. The principal contribution for the centre was provided by the Aktionskomitee “Pro-Israel” of Switzerland. The 10,000-square-metre complex includes a multipurpose gymnasium, classrooms, treatment rooms, rest accommodations, culture halls, cafeteria, indoor swimming pool, massage and hydrotherapy unit, shooting gallery and a 350-seat auditorium.

The grounds include outdoor playing fields and an Olympic-size swimming pool. About 5,500 veterans, living in the country’s central region, are active members in Tel Aviv. Including their immediate families, the overall number of participating members comes to 16,000.

Jerusalem The Beit Halochem centre in Jerusalem opened in 1994, for the benefit of the members of Zahal Disabled Veterans Organisation living in and around the Jerusalem area. The facility grounds encompass some ten acres of beautiful landscaping, in the south-western part of Jerusalem, between the new suburbs of Gilo, Malcha and Givat Masua, with panoramic views of the Judean hills.

The construction of the facility was made possible through the contributions of Friends of Beit Halochem Organisations, from all over the world, and especially, by virtue of the 5.5 million dollar legacy bequeathed by the late Aladar and Iby Fleischman.

The 6,750 sq. metre Jerusalem stone complex boasts a large multipurpose gymnasium, an indoor swimming pool, auditorium, physiotherapy treatment and fitness rooms, classrooms, tennis courts, shooting range, table tennis, billiard hall and spacious parking lots. 3,500 disabled veterans are currently enrolled at the centre. Together with their families, the centre serves some 9,000 members.

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Haifa The Beit Halochem centre in Haifa opened in 1986. The Brith Sholom Foundation in Philadelphia undertook the major portion of the facility’s funding. As a result of its unusual architectural features, it is considered one of Israel’s more interesting buildings.

Situated on the western slopes of the French Carmel, the complex covers about 7,000 square metres. The three-story building houses a social wing, 180-seat auditorium, multipurpose gymnasium, classrooms, fitness rooms, indoor swimming pool, shooting gallery, cafeteria and offices. Over 2,500 disabled veterans who live in the north make up the active membership, with a total of 8,000 participating members including families.

Beer Sheva Beer Sheva’s Beit Halochem opened its doors on January 2011. With over 1,500 registered members, it serves a community of more than 3,000 members and their families residing in Beer Sheva and the Southern District.

The 5,500 sq. metre facility is built in the city’s eastern section on an area of 4.4 acres allocated to the ZDVO by the Israel Lands Authority. The complex features a semiOlympic swimming pool, a sports hall, hydrotherapy pool, a physiotherapy wing, fitness hall, table tennis and billiards halls, a multi-purpose events hall, outdoor basketball and tennis courts and a wide array of sports, cultural and leisure activities for the members and their families.

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Veteran Games & Conference 2022 The second Veteran Games and Conference took place in Israel in May 2022. The Veterans Games 2022 brought together 160 injured UK military veterans and family members with a similar number of injured Israeli army veterans for 5 days of sporting competition taking place at the Beit Halochem centre Tel Aviv. Alongside the competition the participants also enjoyed a varied social and cultural programme. This experience gave the veterans the opportunity to spend time with their families whilst providing them with a unique insight into Israel’s rich culture and history.

As in 2019, a conference was held alongside the Games; an integral part of the event, the conference brought together leading experts from the UK and Israel to discuss mental and physical health among the very severely injured veterans.

These discussions explored the positive impact of sport in treating and supporting the recovery of those suffering with mental health injuries. These varied forums were led by the former head of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Sir Simon Wessely. In addition, the expert delegates had the opportunity to showcase related research and discuss policy issues of mutual interest.

The bringing together of wounded, sick and injured UK and Israeli military veterans and family members for a combination of sporting competition and social and cultural activities in Israel created an inclusive and collaborative atmosphere.

These activities have proven to be hugely beneficial in supporting the ongoing recovery of veterans who have suffered physical injury and/or psychological scarring as a consequence of military service.

The opening ceremony welcomed UK veterans minister Leo Docherty, who hailed the project as an expression of the “amazingly close” bilateral relations in defence and intelligence sharing between the UK and Israel.

The UK team for the Games was made up of veterans affiliated to leading British military charities and rehabilitation organisations including the Royal Marines Charity, RAF Benevolent Fund, Rock2Recovery, Veterans Scotland, the Not Forgotten Association, SSAFA, Felix Fund, Blind Veterans UK and the Association of Jewish ex-Service Men and Women (AJEX).

The Games were funded by the Pears Foundation, Wolfson Family Charitable Trust, Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation, Exilarch’s Foundation, Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust, Rachel Charitable Trust, Patron Charitable Initiatives Veterans Foundation and The Gerald and Gail Ronson Family Foundation.

Next Veteran Games Programme will take place in Israel from 28th of May till 2nd of June.

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Testimonials “I think that this week has brought people together and allowed that osmosis of knowledge and experience sharing so people know that they aren’t alone.”

“In our effort to provide a global gold standard there are definitely insights to be gained from the first-class provision available to veterans in Israel.”

David Wiseman

MP Leo Docherty

Conference participant

Minister for Defence People and Veterans”

“It’s taken me a while to digest all your kindness. I cannot thank you and everyone involved enough. I have hope again. I have found a new strength. You and the team made this happen. I have found my smile again. Thank you so much.”

Anthony Lock

“When I arrived, I was a shell of the person I am now, I just hope I can take it forward. It’s down to the amazing support we’ve received and being part of a community again, like when we served.”

“Beit Halochem is a world leader and the UK and Israel teaming up will benefit our veterans immensely.

I have returned reinvigorated and ready to continue my own rehab as have many others.”

Steve Richards The Royal Marines Charity

Amanda Small SSAFA

“It was truly inspiring to meet other veterans and humbling to learn about their experiences.

Everyone had different abilities – there were people in wheelchairs, those who were blind or had other disabilities. But there was a real sense of pride in what they were doing, and they all refused to give up.”

“These games, these amazing veterans’ games do just that. They restore the pride we once felt when we wore our military uniforms. That pride we once had, being part of a troop, a detachment, a Corps. They give us the opportunity to create new friendships; they give us understanding of what other veterans in other countries have experienced, and how they have been supported in their rehabilitation. They give us the chance to meet with each other’s families in a safe, friendly space to talk about the challenges we all face and how we can continue to support each other.

And they give us wonderful, lifelong memories, from a beautiful country, rich in heritage and history.”

Fraser Rowand

Caroline Beazley

Veterans Scotland

The Not Forgotten Association

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Veteran Games 2023 Launch Event “Veteran Games in Israel gave me my life back” says former British soldier. Israeli ambassador hails event bringing together injured Israeli and British service personnel at official launch of 2023 event.

Tzipi Hotovely heaped praise on the annual project organised by Beit Halochem UK as she launched the 2023 Games at her residence. Votes in Parliament prevented newlyinstalled Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer from joining the event on 22nd November.

Among those to travel to Israel for the friendly sporting competition last May was father-of-four Joe Winch. The one-time Royal Marine was medically discharged from the military with complex PTSD in 2018. He described how a lack of financial support following the diagnosis meant he was on the verge of losing his home. However, at the mental health conference on the sidelines of the Veteran Games he met a senior British official who “remained at our side until we got the right solution for me” and ended up helping to “give me back my life”. After highlighting shortcomings in the system, his pension was adjusted and he no longer had to sell the family home.

He told the gathering that included sponsors and supporters of the project: “Words can’t express the relief we are feeling. None of this would have happened without the Veteran Games. No other veteran events puts the veterans alongside policy makers and enables policy changes in the blink of an eye.”

He described the Games – conceived by Beit Halochem UK’s chair Andrew Wolfson and CEO Spencer Gelding and first run in 2019 – as “truly a once in a lifetime journey” which had also enabled the family to take a holiday together for the first time in years. Having enjoyed tours of the country with fellow vets during their time in Israel, he said his kids can’t wait to return.

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Beit Halochem is partnering with 11 UK veteran charities for the 2023 Games, with each putting forward former service men and women who’ve experienced mental or physical trauma whom they feel would most benefit from participation.

Glynis Gillam, of Blind Veterans, said of the 2022 event: “We were treated like kings and queens for the whole time we were there. The Games recognise the role that families play and also the role that sporting activities can play in recovery.”

The initiative is supported by the Pears Foundation, The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust, The Maurice Wohl Charitable Trust, Patron Charitable Initiatives, Rachel Charitable Trust, The Exilarch’s Foundation, The Wolfson Family Charitable Trust and The Gerald and Gail Ronson Family Foundation.

While her role prevents her from offering any political opinions, said Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, she couldn’t remain neutral on the Games. “No matter how many dinners I host this will always remain the most special event. Nothing we can do on tech can make this human difference.”

She hailed the Games as “the best of British and the best of Israel coming together” and the state-of-the-art facilities of the charity in Israel for helping her first political assistant after he was shot while serving in the IDF.

The launch was addressed by Veteran Games CEO Andy Garland.

He said the Games were a wonderful example of bilateral collaboration – joking it was a concept he practises on a daily basis being married to an Israeli.

He stressed the determination not to bask in the glow of a one week trip to Israel. Rather, he said, the Games had led to a programme where veterans share their experiences in schools and the creation of social media groups involving alumni from different parts of the country to offer support and combat isolation.

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BHUK Fundraising Events Our most recent fundraising events consisted of Beit Halochem Patrons Wine Dinner and a Whiskey Tasting Evening.

Patrons Wine Dinner This unique evening which was attended by 40 Patrons was kindly hosted by Annette & Simon Dalah in their beautiful home in NW London. The guests enjoyed delicious food, prepared by US Three Catering, and sampled a variety of excellent wines, supplied by Fine and Rare. A special thanks must go to the sponsors of the evening, IBI Investment House, Beit Halochem UK’s latest corporate partner.

As the Beit Halochem Chairman, Andrew Wolfson, mentioned in his speech, we decided to stretch ourselves this year and made a commitment to Israel to raise the additional money needed to ensure that the Beit Halochem members who are registered for an educational scholarship are able to participant in the 2023 programme. The incredible generosity of those who attended helped us to raise £160,000, funds needed to sponsor 88 veterans, which in turn will make a tangible difference to their lives. One such veteran who has benefited directly from the Educational Scholarship scheme was the guest of honour and Beit Halochem member Ran Ben-Atia.

Ran, a career officer and a company commander in the Nahal Infantry Brigade was badly injured during a mission to conquer a specific neighbourhood and destroy an offensive terror tunnel shaft between Gaza and Israel during the 2014 “Protective Edge” campaign. After being shot by a terrorist, Ran was left critically injured when the bullet entered his hand, through his thigh only one centimetre from the major artery, through the stomach and into the centre of the pelvis where it remained. After multiple operations, doctors were finally forced to remove the bullet as it became apparent that this particular bullet was, in fact, explosive.

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Ran’s life began to improve when he started going to Beit Halochem. He saw the wounded veterans with their children and grandchildren, active, happy, optimistic, people with meaning in life and it gave him strength and hope to look to the future. He began visiting regularly and soon Beit Halochem became his second home.

However, it wasn’t just physical rehabilitation that Beit Halochem offered him. The organisation also supported his desire to further educate himself by offering him an Academic Scholarship.

This opportunity gave him the chance not only to improve his life but also the lives of his family.

Ran thanked the Patrons present for supporting this important programme, which helped him to achieve his educational goals by completing both an MA and MBA with honours.

Whisky Tasting Evening The annual Beit Halochem Whisky Tasting Evening took place on Thursday 10th November at The Waterway Pub in Maida Vale. A special thanks goes to The First Restaurant Group, generous sponsor of the event, whose owner Mitchell Tillman is a friend of the charity. 70 people attended the evening in which a total of £19,500 was raised, including the auction of a very special 1975 Glenlivet Whisky which was sold for £2,800. The funds donated will be directed towards the purchase of 5 specially adapted titanium wheelchairs to be used by the Wheelchair Basketball team at our Jerusalem rehabilitation centre. Thank you to everyone who attended the evening and who supported the charity so generously.

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BHUK 10th Anniversary Gala Event Beit Halochem UK Celebrated its 10th Anniversary in June 2022 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, which saw over 400 donors gathering for an exciting evening. The event was a phenomenal success raising in excess of £1.3 million. The money raised will help to make a tangible difference to the lives of the wounded Israeli Veterans and their families.

The event featured a few speakers, among which was Oren Blitzblau, Israeli veteran and member of Beit Halochem. Oren served as the intelligence officer and was wounded in 2005 during the arrest of terror suspects when a suicide bomber detonated a bomb in an outpost in the Gaza Strip. He suffered burns all over his body and severe damage to his internal organs, as well as loss of vision and impaired hearing. During his speech, he said “I won’t forget tonight”.

“Although I can’t see you, I can feel your love.” He also thanked Beit Halochem UK for allowing him and others to reach their goals over the decade since its inception.

Reuven Rivlin, Israel’s 10th president, was the guest of honour at the Gala. He spoke of the great work BHUK has done, and in particular the Chairman, Andrew Wolfson, and the CEO, Spencer Gelding, in the past 10 years, raising over £21m. He also talked about the importance of the rehabilitation Beit Halochem in Israel provides to the soldiers, victims of terror and their families.

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Other speakers included the Israeli Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Tzipi Hotovely, who spoke of the highlight initiative implemented by BHUK, the Veteran Games; a programme that brings together wounded British and Israeli veterans to celebrate the vital role sports and family play in rehabilitation during a five-day sporting event that takes place in Israel every year.

The Veteran Games Ambassador, Caroline Beazley said during the dinner “It meant so much to me to see my fellow veterans so happy.”

It is the happiness that BHUK is helping the veterans to regain.

Special thanks must go to Orly Wolfson, Natalie Tahan and Susie Kahn joint Chairs of the gala dinner as well as their wonderful committee. They each devoted an enormous amount of time and effort to ensure the evening’s success and their ongoing commitment to the cause is truly appreciated.

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It’s A Knockout 2022 After a 3 year absence the It’s A Knockout extravaganza returned with a bang. Held at Queens’ School in Bushey, the event brought together 700 pupils from schools including UCS, Haberdashers’, Hasmonean, JFS, Highgate, City of London, Channing, Immanuel, Yavneh, JCOSS, Rosh Pinah, Sinai and Mathilda Marks.

As well as the games, there were arts and crafts activities, a bouncy castle and face painting, plus hot and cold food provided by Habiba’s Deli.

Over £30,000 was raised to purchase specially adapted wheelchairs for the Tel Aviv Beit Halochem Basketball Wheelchair Team. One of the recipients was 51 year old, father of three, Dotan Meishar who served in the Israeli Naval Commando unit. Dotan was severely injured in a battle with a terrorist group and as a result he lost his leg. With the help of the professional staff at Beit Halochem, Dotan was introduced to wheelchair basketball and in 2008 Dotan was chosen to join the Israeli Paralympic team in Beijing.

A special thanks goes to the event organisers, Andrew Alexander and Sally Ann Thwaites as well as all the volunteers for their time and hard work.

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Blood Brothers Andrei’s story in an interview with his family Meet the Peck family. They live in Siberia and are awaiting the great moment; the moment when they will make Aliya to Israel: Haifa, a beautiful city, a view of the sea and white houses, a new language. It isn’t easy to find a job, but they get by. Willpower and Israel’s warm embrace help the family to become part of local life. After high school, Saguy joins the Golani Brigade and becomes a successful officer, deputy commander of a company.

He hopes that Andrei will also join Golani but Andrei is drafted into the Border Police. The Border Police is a very busy unit in Israel’s current security reality. Its soldiers are dispersed along the borders and amongst the Arab population preserving order and preventing acts of terrorism. Andrei is traveling towards Nablus by jeep with his commanding officer and another soldier.

Suddenly, they hear calls for help on the radio; terrorists have attacked a bus near the town of Emanuel. The jeep speeds to the scene. Andrei’s commanding officer rushes to the bus. A terrorist lying in ambush shoots him. He is wounded and drops to the ground. Andrei jumps out of the jeep to save his commander. He runs under the hail of gun fire and does not give up. He lifts his commander and drags him towards the jeep. He feels a searing blaze of heat in his back and falls to the ground. Andrei has been hit and loses consciousness.

Two days before the incident Andrei’s mother had a terrible dream.

Mother: I was asleep and I saw in a dream, I saw Andrei at a distance, all in blood, police, and ambulances. I woke up in the middle of the night and began praying out loud to God please watch out for him. If something happens please let him be alive.

Then a telephone call from the hospital turns that nightmare into reality.

Mother: We cried. All of us, Saguy, father, all of us.

Saguy: Those 5 hours waiting for him to come out of there were the most horrible ones. You sit and wait not knowing in what condition he’ll come out. Look, I cried… the moment I broke down was when the doctor came out and said: ‘I want to talk only to the family’, I was afraid my brother was no longer alive, that’s the first thing that crossed my mind. We entered, the doctor said, ‘I want you to know your brother will never walk again’.

Two brothers, blood brothers, drawn together in the reality of hardship.

Andrei was an athlete, an excellent short distance runner, a boxer, he won’t give up.

Saguy: In the meantime, he’s already gotten some medals here in the Israeli Championship. I believe that at the rate he’s going, if he continues to persevere the way he’s doing today – and I have no doubt he will continue – I think he’ll make it to international competitions and will move on from there.

Andrei: Everything was difficult at first.

Interviewer: What, for example?

Andrei: Everything, getting into the car, getting out of the car, moving from the chair to the bed and from the bed to the chair. It was all tough. Once I even fell out of this chair so I had to climb back into it. It was hard, real hard. Everything a person does in every day life was difficult to do.

In fact, it’s a miracle I’m even alive.

Interviewer: So do you thank God or are you angry with him?

Andrei: No, I say thank you, I’m not mad.

At Beit Halochem he trains, swims and racks up achievements. Andrei was also awarded a special medal by the Police Commissioner for his bravery. He will need every ounce of courage to undergo a very complicated operation which may improve his chances of walking again.

Mother: We really have hope in our hearts that things will be alright.

Interviewer: What would you give to be able to walk to the refrigerator now?

Andrei: Wow, I’d give everything I have, really, all that I have.

Andrei was wounded in 2002. Since then, he has been coming regularly to Beit Halochem Tel Aviv. He joined the swimming team and trains a couple of times a week.

In 2003 he was the recipient of a Sports Scholarship for showing promise and perseverance in his athletic achievements.

In the 2019 Veteran Games he took part in the swimming competitions with his UK comrades.

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2022 Courage in Motion, a five-day bike trip, organised by the Canadian Beit Halochem branch, took place October 23 - 27, 2022 in Israel.

Cyclists from Canada, USA and the UK rode alongside our disabled veterans, victims of terror, and members of the Israel Start-Up Nation cycling team. 120 cyclists rode between 50-130 km per day helping to make this an empowering and inspiring journey.

The team representing Beit Halochem UK raised £30,000 which will be directed towards the cycling programmes offered at the four rehabilitation facilities in Israel.

We express our thanks to Lisa Levy, Executive Director of Beit Halochem Canada for initiatng this wonderful and meaningful event.

COME RIDE WITH US NEXT YEAR OCTOBER 15-19, 2023 If you would like to be part of the UK team in 2023 or hear more about the project please get in touch with us on info@bhuk.org

For further information including prices, please contact dina@bhuk.org or 0208 458 2455

Team Maccabi GB Delegation at the 21st Maccabiah Games visits Beit Halochem in Tel Aviv

On Monday 11th July 2022, the 400-strong Team Maccabi Great Britain delegation at the 21st Maccabiah Games arrived at the Beit Halochem centre in Tel Aviv, for a visit that would inspire a generation of British Jewish athletes.

Split between Open and Master athletes (aged 18-85) in the morning and Juniors (aged 13-18) in the afternoon and accompanied by sports managers, coaches, medics, organising committee and staff, Team Maccabi GB dedicated an entire day of its Jewish Identity Programme pre-camp to engaging with Israeli veterans, embodiment of the fight against adversity and ultimate sporting prowess.

The partnership between Maccabi GB and Beit Halochem UK had started at the previous Maccabiah in 2017 and since, a repeated engagement was in the plans for the next Maccabiah. Bringing British Jewish athletes to Beit Halochem serves a number of important aims, all of which are part of the Maccabi GB educational strategy of enhancing participants’ Jewish identity through the prism of sport. Learning about Israel, its history and struggles, as well as its successes and engaging with Israelis on a personal and meaningful level, to understand that their values and histories are akin to ours and to connect with the idea of Jewish People with Israel as its Homeland.

The visit included taking part in a range of disability sports, in a station-rotation led by veterans who showcased their experience and sporting ability. From table tennis to goal ball, to wheelchair

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basketball and tennis, to badminton and x-fit; each station enabled the Team Maccabi GB athletes to try disability sport, compete against Paralympians and ultimately learn about the meaning of rehabilitation and recovery, to reach incredible sporting successes.

Learning about the debilitating injuries suffered by veterans who put their lives on the line to defend their county, in the many wars Israel has had to face throughout its history, is poignant and meaningful; but to see first-hand how Beit Halochem enables and supports the recovery and the rebuilding of their future, is simply inspiring.

Team Maccabi GB athletes met with veterans who channel their struggles into sport and undertake physical and mental rehabilitation which sees them become professional Paralympians who often represent Israel at the highest levels of world competitions.

What more inspiring message could our athletes take into the biggest competition of their lives - the Maccabiah Games.

The day concluded with a Team Maccabi GB & Beit Halochem ‘Welcome Dinner’, hosted at the Junior village in Zichron Yaakov.

This special celebration brought together veterans, the Beit Halochem UK team and the whole GB delegation. With an initial address by the Maccabi GB Head of Delegation, the late Brian Green Z”l, the evening featured a keynote speech by Hanoch Budin. Hanoch, a Beit Halochem veteran won two gold, one silver, and five Paralympic bronze medals and triumphed in many World and European Championships in swimming. In 1989, representing all disabled veterans, Hanoch was honoured to light the flame at the 13th Maccabiah Games in Israel.

We are thankful to Spencer Gelding and the team at Beit Halochem UK for enabling such an inspiring visit for the Team Maccabi GB delegation and we look forward to a continued partnership in Israel and the UK. Nathan Servi Head of Operations Maccabi GB

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Working With Youth Wellbeing Educational Programme

As part of the BHUK wellbeing educational programme, a Veteran Games participant visited JFS school to speak to pupils in Year 10 (300 children). This particular veteran shared his story of his ongoing rehabilitation, the part the Veteran Games has played in this and, more generally, the part developing resilience can play in supporting overall wellbeing. During the first quarter of 2023 a further 900 teenagers from a diverse mix of schools will get to hear directly from members of the UK / Israeli veteran communities and learn about the strategies they employ when coping with their own personal battles

Project impact

As part of National Mental Health Awareness Week, Christopher Hayes conducted a session in conjunction with Project Impact for a group of teens in years 9-11, sharing his life story, including how he overcame his battle with his mental health issues and rebuilt his life thanks to the Veteran Games initiative. The session was very successful, with teenagers interacting and asking questions as well as creating canvases with motivational quotes that were displayed.

Yom Hazikaron ceremony

Beit Halochem UK hosted Ofir Anidgar, Beit Halochem member and veteran.

Ofir spoke at Immanuel School in front of the entire school as part of the school’s Memorial Ceremony.

He was also invited to address multiple year groups at Yavneh College, sharing his story and how Beit Halochem has helped him with his rehabilitation.

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The Story of Dror Kendelstein When the Second Lebanon War broke out, Dror Kendelstein immediately responded to the call. This was not his first time in the army. He had previously been in many life-threatening situations, especially in Gaza. He was proud to protect Israel.

In August, 2006, Dror’s platoon was in the outskirts of Bint Jbeil, surrounded by enemies. They were instructed to clear the terrain for the heavy engineering corps vehicles.

“Many hours passed, and then I vaguely remember falling back, everything went blank. A bullet had penetrated through my forehead.”

Dror’s life was suddenly changed forever. For seven long months, Dror was unconscious. Finally, the doctors determined that his brain was in distress and that a drainage tube had to be inserted if he was ever going to wake up. It was a very risky procedure, but thankfully successful.

When Dror awoke he remembered what had happened.

Unfortunately he also found out that his world was shattered.

He was a quadriplegic who suffered epileptic seizures and had a speech impediment.

Dror was heartbroken and angry, but he was also determined.

Dror had to start from zero. He had to re-learn everything, including how to talk and eat.

Every day Dror travels 45 minutes each way to the Beit Halochem centre in Tel Aviv. The physiotherapy and occupational therapy he receives are often agonizing but Dror perseveres, never giving in to the pain. At Beit Halochem he plays table tennis to sharpen his skills and also receives computer training. Dror passionately wants his independence, and at Beit Halochem we were determined to assist him in reaching his goal.

After several long years of arduous rehabilitation, Dror began working in the Economic Department at Teva Pharmaceuticals where he prepares presentations.

Last year he got married.

He is very much looking forward to the completion of the fifth Beit Halochem in Ashdod so that he and his family can benefit from it.

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Leave a lasting legacy What you need to know about leaving your legacy to our brave veterans?

We appreciate every legacy that is promised to Beit Halochem.

You may wish to support a specific Beit Halochem centre or a specific project. We are here to discuss options with you.

We also understand that leaving a legacy can be complex so we recommend you consult a solicitor, who will provide you with specialist advice on what type of legacy is best for you.

If you would like more information or wish to discuss your legacy in greater detail, we can put you in touch with a law firm that can assist you.

For more information on how you can leave a legacy to Beit Halochem, please contact Spencer Gelding on spencer@bhuk.org or 0208 458 2455

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER

SAVE THE DATE MONDAY 26 JUNE 2023

AT A CENTRAL LONDON VENUE

If you would like to support the charity by becoming a table host, please contact Spencer at the BHUK office - spencer@bhuk.org

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