Shabbat Dinner With President Rivlin

Shabbat Dinner With President Rivlin

From a combat Journey to a rehabilitation Journey, and the crucial role of Beit Halochem

In a moving gesture of resilience and support, and at a gala event in collaboration with the “Magbit” Foundation, Los Angeles recently hosted a delegation Beit HaLochem which is part of the IDF’s Disabled Veterans Organization. This successful visit led by the 10th president of Israel, Mr. Reuven Rivlin, highlighted the important work of Beit HaLochem in aid of the rehabilitation of wounded IDF soldiers and their families. The visit also included two IDF soldiers who took part in the ” Swords of Iron“ war.

President Rivlin’s visit to Los Angeles was characterized by a number of key events, the summit of which was the 32nd gala organized by the Magbit Foundation. This event, with the participation of about 900 guests, including some of the leading philanthropists in the city who donated over 2 million dollars.

The gala event, which also included an impressive representation of the community’s youth – the next generation, not only testified to the broad support of Beit HaLochem, but also marked the first collaboration between Beit HaLochem and the Magbit Foundation. The gala under the direction of Ms. Dora Nazarian, Chair Of The Board Of Directors, helped raise awareness and the need for support for the IDF disabled organization and the IDF soldiers and women who are members of the of Beit HaLochem, who were injured during their military service and are currently defined as disabled veterans.

President Rivlin was accompanied by two IDF soldiers, Roi Arazi and Amiti Ben Shlomo, who were called up for reserve service on October 7, shortly after they finished their military service and began their civilians’ lives. Arazi, a Givati fighter, was injured in both legs last January by an IED explosion which was laid up by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. Arazi and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Beit HaLochem in Beer Sheva, shared his fascinating journey from the 7th until his injury and the road to recovery, while emphasizing the central role of the Beit HaLochem in his rehabilitation. Amiti provided Roy with the first aid and medical care, Amit also provided medical first aid to an additional 13 fighters were injured by the same explosion. Roy and Amit also talked about the death of their friend who was an American citizen.

After the gala, another event was held with former President Rivlin, Roy and Amit together with the board and the staff of Beit HaLochem in Los Angeles. The event was with the Wilshire Temple community on the campus in the Brentwood neighborhood and began with a personal meeting with the president and Wilshire Temple senior management and continued with Rivlin’s briefing on what is happening in Israel and his many years of familiarity with Beit HaLochem.

Later the weekend, a Friday dinner was held for the leaders of the community at the home of Mrs. Foran Nazarian, meetings with the communities such as a personal home meeting at the home of Rabbi Yoshi from the Stephen Wise Synagogue, a Shabbat morning meeting at the Young Israel Of North Beverly Hills Synagogue and a closing event with the assistance of Yoni Leitner Productions with the Rabbi Mintz Chabad New Fort Beach. In addition, Roi and Amiti met the senior class of the “Harel tribe” for a powerful conversation. These interactions were designed to increase awareness of the organization and the importance of the support that the Beit HaLochem provides to the wounded soldiers on the path of rehabilitation and recovery.

The IDF Disabled Organization is a non-profit organization, which was established in 1949 by the disabled IDF themselves, just one year after the establishment of the State of Israel. The first Beit HaLochem was opened in Tel Aviv in 1974 and today all four Beit HaLochem are a cornerstone and a second home in the daily life and rehabilitation process of the disabled veterans. The organization currently has over 56,000 members, of which over 4,500 are disabled new soldiers, who have been recognized as disabled since the events of October 7.

The War of the Iron Swords, considered by many to be the most difficult event experienced by the State of Israel since its establishment, returned the spotlight to the IDF Disabled Organization and the Beit HaLochem centers, in view of the large number of IDF wounded soldiers who need a supportive social-rehabilitation framework, in numbers the state has not known since the Yom Kippur War. The budget of the IDF’s Disabled Veterans Organization must increase by 40% for 2024.

The four Beit HaLochem centers offer a wide range of services, from rehabilitation and sports facilities to social activities, employment guidance, academic support and more. In addition to hydrotherapy, physiotherapy treatments, and other various treatments, the Beit HaLochem houses also have indoor swimming pools, gyms, sports halls and unique rooms for many recreational and enrichment activities for the disabled themselves and their families.

Many of the disabled IDF members of Beit HaLochem lead with honors in international sports competitions in 19 types of sports including basketball, tennis, swimming, kayaking, triathlon and many more.

Part of the funding of the Israeli wonded veterans organization comes through the rehabilitation department at the Ministry of Defense and the support for the Beit HaLochem is made possible through donations from the associations of friends of the Beit HaLochem around the world. The donations allow members of the IDF Disabled Organization and their family members to join Beit HaLochem at a nominal and minimal cost, and ensures that no one is left behind. Today, Beit HaLochem centers are active in Tel Aviv, Be’er Sheva, Haifa and Jerusalem, while these days the massive construction of Beit HaLochem Ashdod continues, which would serve as the official medical center for the victims of PTSD