When you sit down and listen to Rafael Kellen talk about his life, it’s clear that his journey has been anything but ordinary. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, into an ultraorthodox Jewish family, Rafael’s early years were marked by the strict and insular religious life of his community. When his family made Aliya to Israel, settling in Kiryat Ye’arim—a small ultraorthodox town near Jerusalem—Rafael struggled to fit into the rigid lifestyle that surrounded him. As he grew up, the well-known path of religious Torah study and yeshiva education never resonated with him.
While his peers were embracing religious studies, Rafael was beginning to question his identity, searching for a different kind of purpose. What followed was a series of bold decisions, each one a step away from the life he was expected to lead, and toward a path of courage, personal resilience, and a dedication to helping others. From enlisting in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to facing severe injury and battling addiction, Rafael’s story is one of survival and transformation.
Breaking Away from Tradition
Rafael’s divergence from the ultraorthodox way of life began when he removed his yarmulke, a deeply symbolic act in his community. At just 18, he left home and moved to Ashkelon with a close friend. But perhaps his most rebellious decision was his choice to enlist in the IDF—an institution far removed from the religious circles in which he was raised. This choice would further strain his relationship with his parents, who struggled to come to terms with his departure from their way of life. Rafael’s brother had taken a similar path, joining the IDF years earlier, a decision that led to their parents not attending either brother’s military graduation ceremonies.
Despite the familial tension, Rafael pursued his military career with unwavering determination. Inspired by his brother, who became a career officer, Rafael enlisted in the Kfir Brigade, an infantry unit specializing in counter-terrorism and urban warfare. But soon after, he set his sights on something even more elite—the Oketz Unit, the IDF’s special canine forces. His perseverance paid off as he passed the grueling 18-month training course with flying colors.
A Bond Like No Other: Rafael and Tito
As a member of Oketz, Rafael forged one of the most unique relationships of his life—not with a fellow soldier, but with his military working dog, Tito. Tito, who became Rafael’s constant companion in the field, was much more than just a dog. “I could control him with the slightest of signals,” Rafael recalls. “He was a joy and he took part in a few very special operations.”
One mission in particular highlighted the strength of this bond. Tito’s keen instincts and obedience helped save the lives of many soldiers, and he was set to receive a decoration for his bravery. Tragically, Tito never got the chance to be honored for his heroism. In their final mission together, under harsh enemy conditions, a powerful explosive device severely injured Rafael and killed Tito. The loss was profound for Rafael—not just because of the pain from his injuries, but also from the heartbreak of losing his faithful companion.
A Long Road to Recovery: Physical and Emotional
The explosion left Rafael severely injured, with fractures, burns, shrapnel wounds, and a compromised ability to hear. He was airlifted back to Israeli territory, enduring hours of excruciating pain before finally receiving treatment. His left leg was nearly lost to gangrene, but after several surgeries and a prolonged recovery, Rafael found himself physically on the mend.
The physical injuries, however, were just the beginning of his ordeal. As Rafael began the next phase of his rehabilitation at Beit Halochem Sheba Medical Center, he found himself struggling with an invisible enemy—post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His mental health began to unravel, as flashbacks of the ambush haunted him. The trauma manifested in hypervigilance; he would see armed figures hiding in bushes, a symptom of his psychological injury. To cope with the emotional turmoil, Rafael turned to painkillers like morphine, slowly descending into addiction.
“I didn’t understand what was happening to me,” Rafael admits. “I’d look at bushes and was certain there were armed men hiding inside them. I began using pills to cope with everything, but it reached a point where I couldn’t function without my daily fix.”
Choosing to Fight: Kicking Addiction and Rebuilding His Life
At just 23, after two years of battling his addiction to painkillers and medical marijuana, Rafael made a courageous decision: he checked himself into a drug rehabilitation center at the Bereshit Institute in Beersheva. This wasn’t an easy choice—rehab meant facing the darkest parts of his trauma, all while surrounded by others going through withdrawal. However, Rafael knew that confronting his addiction head-on was the only way to reclaim his life.
The process was anything but smooth. Rafael had to face the prolonged agony of withdrawal and the emotional wounds that had festered since his injury. But over time, he began to heal, emerging from the center not just sober, but also with a new sense of self. “I arrived there weak and falling apart, and I emerged a new person,” he says.
One of the most important tools he gained from the experience was the ability to reconnect with his emotions and vulnerabilities. “I had been acting like a robot, hiding my pain behind a façade of normalcy. Rehab taught me to accept myself and express my feelings, something I hadn’t done since I was injured,” Rafael explains.
Paying It Forward: Helping At-Risk Youth
After completing rehab, Rafael returned to his life, moving in with his girlfriend, Ziv, a psychology student he met during their time in the Oketz unit. Together, they found purpose in giving back. They began volunteering at Beit HaTzayar, an educational-therapeutic institute for at-risk youth in Jerusalem.
“What brings a young guy like me to want to help kids in distress?” Rafael asks. “I personally identify with them. With my experience in therapy, I know I can help these kids overcome their challenges, just like my counselors helped me.”
This new sense of purpose inspired Rafael to pursue a degree in social work. His ultimate dream? To open a boarding school for at-risk children—a place where they can find warmth, support, and stability, even if their families are unable to provide it. “I want to give these children a home where they can have fond memories of childhood, not trauma.”
Looking to the Future
Today, Rafael lives in the city of Ariel, where he’s finishing a pre-academic course in preparation for his studies in social work. He frequents Beit Halochem in Jerusalem for physiotherapy, exercise, and wheelchair basketball, fully embracing this new chapter of his life. As he reflects on his journey, he can’t help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude for how far he’s come.
“This is the best period of my life,” Rafael says with a smile. “After everything I’ve been through, from my injury to addiction and recovery, my heart is now open for me—and for others.”