MEET THE SOLDIERS ATID YOUNG LEADERSHIP PROGRAM TORONTO - NOVEMBER 2023
BARAK BORNSTEIN
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I am 34 and live in Tel Aviv. I am married to Shachar and am the father to Dolev. I enlisted in the Paratroopers in 2006. In 2014 during Operation Protective Edge, I served as a platoon commander in the 202 Brigade and entered Gaza along with 110 of my soldiers. A week into the operation, we were searching the area for terrorist tunnels when a bomb was detonated, wounding me and two of my soldiers. Then three terrorists opened fire, wounding four more soldiers. As a result of the injury, I lost my sight and hearing on my right side and underwent several facial surgeries. I was in recovery for an entire year. Afterward I went on to earn my bachelor's degree in Political Science and Middle Eastern studies. Then I returned to serve two more years in the Paratroopers as the 890 Vice Battalion Commander. In 2021, when my daughter was born, I had my first major PTSD event in the delivery room and was diagnosed with PTSD. For the past three years I have been serving as the Operations Commander in a special intelligence unit. This fall I will be resigning from duty and looking forward to a new chapter in my life.
I joined BFL in 2015 and over the years took part in many of the BFL programs, among them the BFL Tech program that provides guidance for building a career in Tech.
LIOR GANON
My name is Lior, and I'm 29 years old, married to Mor, and live in Tel Aviv.
I joined the Egoz Unit in March 2012. Egoz is an elite Israel Defense Forces commando unit specializing in guerrilla warfare, special reconnaissance, and direct action.
On July 2014, as part of the Gaza War (Operation Protective Edge), our unit entered the Gaza strip to destroy rocket launchers and stop the rocket attacks from Gaza on Israel. After taking over the first row of houses in Shuja'iyya neighborhood, Hamas terrorists shot rockets on the house we were positioned.
Two of my friends and I were injured from shrapnel that penetrated my head and ear.
After six months of rehabilitation, I bought a one way ticket to the USA, thinking it would solve the difficulties I was struggling with and release me from the feelings I was carrying with me.
One year after my traveling, realized I needed help. I returned home and began my therapy. Since I returned to Israel, I graduated from university, got my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, got a job in an Israeli startup company, and got married to my lovely wife.
Today, I'm looking forward to starting my master's degree and starting a family.
I have received from BFL a college scholarship and participated in the BFL Tech program that provides support and guidance for building a career in Tech.
CHEMI RUBIN, COO of BFL
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Chemi joined the 890th battalion of the paratrooper's corps in 2008. During Operation Cast Lead, after much fighting, his battalion received orders to advance towards the refugee camp Shati which is in the heart of the Gaza strip. While searching the village, a charge detonated in the house Chemi was in and the house collapsed. It took more than 45 minutes to extract him and other injured soldiers from the wreckage. Chemi was injured in his face, eyes, and hands.
Chemi has been part of the Brothers for Life management team since 2015 and brings extensive leadership and project management experience. He is responsible for the external relations department of the organization which includes all Diaspora relations, delegations, marketing, and PR. Chemi lives in Kibutz Kfar Etzion with his wife and their three children. Chemi holds an LLB degree.
