Originally published June 17, 2014 | Jewish Tribune
By Suri Epstein
A recent concert at the Toronto Centre for the Arts showcased Beit Halochem’s critical role in helping more than 50,000 Israeli disabled veterans and victims of terror.
“Here the wounded get the tools they need to put their lives together,” said Toby Feldberg, president of Beit Halochem Canada.
Beit Halochem has five state-of-the-art centres throughout Israel that offer numerous rehabilitative services, including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, therapeutic devices, specialized sports equipment, coaching and cultural activities.
The evening included Israeli performing and recording artists Gilan Shahaf, Mika Sade and Alon Radai. Their offerings ranged from traditional songs like Shalom Aleichem, to contemporary Israeli music, to the smash pop hit Wake me Up by Swedish singer Avicii.
Ten wounded veterans received a standing ovation from the appreciative audience. A series of videos illustrated the wrenching stories of four young people who were wounded in service and their triumphant road at Beit Halochem back to happy and productive lives. All four participated in the program and appeared onstage.
Einat Malka was a fitness instructor for a combat unit when she suffered a life-altering injury. After a decade of pain and immobility, she had her leg amputated.
“I had to lose my leg to get my life back and I got it back big time,” she said.
Malka now walks and runs with a prosthetic leg, trains for triathlons and assists Beit Halochem members in southern Israel.
Nachmi Feinblatt served in an elite K9 unit in Lebanon when he and his trained dog, Linda, were both injured by explosives. Linda shielded him until they were rescued. The dog remained with Feinblatt until its death. Today Feinblatt is a successful criminal lawyer.
Achiya Klein lost his vision in 2013 when a bomb went off while he was dismantling a terrorist tunnel near the Gaza security fence.
“It’s quite a blow to lose your eyesight in one day,” he said.
Klein has since become an active participant at Beit Halochem, tandem bike-riding, skiing, running and wall-climbing.
Yoel Sharon was severely injured in the Yom Kippur war in the city of Suez. Sharon went on to become a successful filmmaker and has participated in almost every regular and extreme sport.
“Beit Halochem is a wonderful home,” he said. “I can’t walk, but I can fly.”
Feldberg read greetings from Shimon Peres that summed up the organization. “You represent all that is good, beautiful and moral in Israeli society.”