IDF Heroes Find Some Joy

For the first time ever seven wounded Israeli soldiers came to spend a week visiting Brazil, through a joint venture of Chabad victim’s terror project and Noach Adventures in Brazil.

Menashe who took two bullets while protecting meorot Hamachpaila in Chevron, became paralyzed from his chest down, and will live the rest of his life in a wheelchair. While most soldiers who finish their army duty go off for six months to tour the world, Menashe was home spending his days in therapy and rehabilitation, while his dream of getting to see South America, was put-on hold!

When Rabbi Menachem Kutner called him to ask if he would like to join a group going to Brazil, he was ecstatic, saying he always dreamt of going to see Brazil, but had stopped thinking about it, because of the difficulties he faces while trying to get around as a handicap.

The smile on Menashe face while taking in the beauty of the waterfalls in Foz de Iguacu, considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world was priceless. The soldiers were taken to all of the parks and tourist attractions, such as Traipu the largest natural electric generator, and Parque ads Aves, where you can see many exotic birds and Butterflies in their natural habitat. All this was topped off with a surprise, helicopter ride, giving them a bird’s eye view of the ware falls! “What a sense of freedom!” was Menashe’s reaction!

At the end of the week we flew back to Sao Paulo, where the soldiers were taken to visit some of the Jewish schools.

One of the soldiers remarked, “in Israel, where unfortunately there are many wounded soldiers, we sometimes feel like we are forgotten or not appreciated.”

But the warmth and respect shown by the Jewish community was strengthening for the soldiers. Every school welcomed them as the heroes they truly are. After a session of questions and answers, one student commented, that he was more inspired by these soldiers than any Rabbi’s speech.

As Rabbi Noach Gansburg commented, the lessons they transmitted were very real and passionate! One student asked, “if you knew the results of what could happen, would you do it again?” Yogev replied, “Definitely! I am not a hero! I was just doing my job or what anyone else would do to protect his home.”.

An emotional Shabbos was spent in Beit Chabad of Itaim, with Rabbi Yossi Schildkraut, where the soldiers spoke about their experiences and feelings for Eretz Yisrael. This was especially moving after all that is going on this week in the United Nations. The community was uplifted by the stories and courage these young soldiers displayed.

Photos by Bentzi Sasson