By COLlive reporter
Photos by Bentzi Sasson
Captain Ziv Shilon, a platoon commander in Givati Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces, was severely injured 6 months ago when a roadside bomb planted by Hamas terrorists exploded during a routine patrol. Doctors had to amputate one of his arms and the other is totally crushed.
Shilon and 9 other severely wounded soldiers and victims of terror are in New York for 10 days of therapy and fun on a trip sponsored by Chabad Israel Center of the Upper East Side, under Rabbi Uriel and Shevy Vigler.
The project is called “Belev Echad” (with one heart) and regularly organizes trouble and worry-free trips to the United States for severely wounded IDF soldiers and victims of terror.
Speaking this week at a welcome reception honoring 10 severely wounded IDF soldiers at the Chabad Israel Center, Shilon said: “My greatest wish is to be able to return to the IDF and to continue protecting Am Yisrael.”
The soldiers are accompanied by Rabbi Menachem Kutner of Chabad Terror Victims Project who deals with these soldiers year round in Israel and Rabbi Yossi Swerdlov of the Lubavitch Youth Organization in Israel (“Tzach”).
Joining them at the reception was the Israel’s military attache in the U.S., Major General Yaacov Ayish who cancelled his appointments in Washington so that he can spend time with these brave heroes.
Addressing them were Rabbi Benzion Krasnianski of the Chabad of the Upper East Side and Israel’s Consul General in New Yprk Ido Aharoni.
Nati Hatzkor, who had his leg blown off from a missile right before Operation Cast Lead, mentioned this week that words cannot describe the pain and agony that he experiences on a daily basis.
He has to medicated marijuana for his pain and he joked and said, “I don’t know if I am on a high from the marijuana or from this incredible Belev Echad trip. However every day he forces himself to smile and be happy because if there is one day that he is sad and upset that day is a victory for the terrorists who did this to him.”
Video: 3 day recap:
Its so selfless.
You are an incredible team!
Thank you for everything you do – always!
Menachem kol hakvod,
Uriel & Shevy………..AMAZING!!!!
Kol Hakovod!
so proud of you, uriel and shevy! fantastic, committed shluchim! May you continue to always go Mechoyil El Choyil
My first thought in seeing the sign with wounded soldiers was also that the wording was somehow wrong and that these are our holy HEROS who have sacrificed for klal Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel, and if that’s not enough, still exude so much simcha! Wow!! What a lesson in life. May Hashem bless each of them with infinte brochas and protect and shield all of our beloved brethren who protect our homeland.
What an unbelievable thing to organise! We are so amazed by all you do Uriel and Shevy Vigler. May you continue to go Mechoyil El Choyil.
Keep it up!
These Soldiers are indeed HEROES! Thank you for saving the lives of countless of our brothers & sisters and for protecting out land Eretz Yisrael. To Belev Echad keep up the amazing work that you do for our Heroes. May they continue to get all the support and help they need and know no more pain. PG we should all merit to see Peace in Eretz Yisrael with the arrival of Moshiach soon.
i wish all the soldiers that came here a refuah shelaima and i am amazed at their staminamay hashem protect all the soldiers of israel and the people of israel and send us all
moshiach speedily in our time
Bh you guys were able to return back home i would take my brother in any condition but its not what hasheshem wanted lucky are the solders to be here with us you are such an isparatoin
I am completely lost for words….AMAZING!!!
the guy posing near the “Obamas” has a great sense of humour
amazing
May Hashem help him to always retain it
may Hashem bentch these special Yidden
this was really amazing , im so proud to be apart of this. you guys are heroes .
you continue to inspire us with your dedication, love and commitment to the rebbes message!
Thank you, soldiers. May Hashem protect you, us and all of klal Yisrael.
Amazing, but I would like them to change the sign from “Victims of Terror” etc. to “Heroes”. I believe there is a story of the Rebbe not to call them “N’chei Tzahal” rather “Metzuyanei Tzahal.
Beautiful and Inspiring
God bless you all for protecting r land and the people who put smiles on there faces,
Shmuli k.
That is beyond nice.