For 20-year-old Keren-Or Tegafo, life took a drastic turn in 2018. The youngest of seven siblings from Kiryat Gat, Keren-Or was on a routine military mission when she was severely injured in a car-ramming terror attack. Now, as she moves forward with her recovery at Beit Halochem Tel Aviv, she’s rebuilding her strength, embracing her passions, and pursuing her dreams. This is her story.
A Mission Turned Tragic
In 2018, Keren-Or was on combat duty with the Search and Rescue Unit of the IDF’s Home Front Command. She and her fellow soldiers were patrolling the Palestinian village of Husan, making their way towards the Great Mosque. They paused briefly, resting against a wall—just another day on a routine mission, or so they thought.
“We were just doing our jobs,” she recalls. But then, in an instant, everything changed. A car came barreling towards them, ramming into the group of soldiers. “It was a car-ramming terror attack on us!” Keren-Or recounts, the memory still vivid. In those few seconds, her life was altered forever.
Keren-Or sustained three severe leg fractures from the impact. Her injuries required immediate surgery and months of hospitalization, where she began the grueling process of recovery. For two months, she underwent intensive treatments, facing each challenge with courage and determination.
A New Chapter at Beit Halochem Tel Aviv
After her release from the hospital, Keren-Or knew her journey to recovery was far from over. That’s when Beit Halochem Tel Aviv became her next destination—a place where she could continue her physical healing and find emotional support among those who truly understand her struggles.
At Beit Halochem, Keren-Or receives ongoing physiotherapy and hydrotherapy treatments, essential for her leg rehabilitation. But the center offers so much more than medical care; it provides a supportive community that feels like a second home. Surrounded by fellow veterans who have experienced similar hardships, Keren-Or finds strength in knowing she’s not alone.
Reflecting on her injury, she says, “My injury made me stronger and reinforced me to pursue my goals and reach new heights.” This resilience is at the heart of her journey, as she embraces each day with a renewed sense of purpose.
Embracing Her Passions and Looking to the Future
Keren-Or’s story is one of perseverance and hope. Her parents and older siblings immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia 30 years ago, and she’s proud to continue their legacy. She graduated from the IDF’s pre-military program in 2017, setting her sights on becoming a combat soldier. After months of rigorous training, she achieved that goal, only to face a new set of challenges after her injury.
Despite these obstacles, Keren-Or is determined to focus on the future. Beyond her physical recovery, she continues to nurture her love of singing and acting, passions that have been a source of joy and solace. Beit Halochem offers a range of cultural, educational, and arts programs, giving her a chance to explore these interests in a supportive environment.
With a bright future ahead, Keren-Or has already taken steps towards her dreams. She recently gained acceptance into the prestigious Yoram Levinstein Acting and Performing Arts School in Tel Aviv. “Now that I am released from the hospital, I want to pursue my dream,” she shares.
Beit Halochem: A Place of Healing and Hope
Keren-Or’s journey is a testament to the vital role Beit Halochem plays in the lives of wounded veterans. The center provides not only medical and therapeutic support but also a community where veterans can rediscover hope and purpose. Through Beit Halochem’s diverse programs, veterans like Keren-Or can build new skills, find creative outlets, and pursue personal growth.
At Beit Halochem, each story is unique, but all share a common thread of resilience. The veterans who come here find a community that believes in their potential, no matter the challenges they face. For Keren-Or, Beit Halochem has been instrumental in her recovery, helping her reclaim her strength and confidence.
A Journey of Resilience and New Beginnings
Keren-Or Tegafo’s story is one of strength, courage, and the power of community. From a life-altering injury to a new beginning at Beit Halochem, she is a shining example of what it means to persevere. Now, as she prepares to pursue her dream of performing arts, she embodies the resilience of all Israel’s wounded veterans.
Beit Halochem is honored to be part of her journey, and with your support, the center can continue to be a place of hope for many more veterans like Keren-Or. Together, we can make a difference, one story at a time.