This year we celebrate Israel’s 75 years of independence and take pride in its extraordinary success. At the same time, we know that the country’s many accomplishments come at a heavy price. While continuing to long for peace, the need to defend Israel is always present. No one is more aware of this than Edan Kleiman.
Edan is a third-generation protector of Israel. He is the son of Arieh, gravely wounded in the Yom Kippur war, and grandson of Rudolf who fell during the War of Independence. He knows firsthand the importance of Beit Halochem and the role it plays in the rehabilitation of Israel’s injured Heroes.
Edan served in the elite Givati Brigade. One morning in November 1992, he was thrilled to learn that he had been accepted into an Officer’s course. That same evening, as his squad was on a mission in Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, they were ambushed by terrorists. Under a heavy barrage of gunfire, Edan was hit. He fell onto his back and immediately knew he was unable to breathe or move his legs. When he awoke in the hospital, after two resuscitations and open-heart massage, Edan was told he was paralyzed from his chest down. He was 19 years old.
Following a five-month hospitalization, Edan arrived at Beit Halochem Tel Aviv to begin his extensive rehabilitation. He has been confined to a wheelchair since being injured. Despite his disability, or, perhaps, because of it, as he strived to better his own life, Edan also dedicated his life to ensure others injured while defending Israel receive all the assistance they need to live their lives.
Post-injury, Edan graduated from law school and is a member of the Israel Bar Association. Since 2006, he has held numerous positions within the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization (ZDVO) – Beit Halochem Israel. As a senior assistant at the Tel Aviv & Central District, Edan was responsible for improving the physical, mental, social, medical, and economic conditions of Israel’s disabled veterans. He has spent countless hours in front of Israel’s public and parliamentary committees to protect veterans’ rights.
In 2019, in a culmination of his work advocating for those disabled while defending the country, Edan was elected Chairman of ZDVO, the organization that takes care of its 50,000 members and operates Beit Halochem Centres across Israel. These state-of-the-art rehabilitation facilities, with their outstanding programs, cutting-edge equipment, and dedicated staff, become second homes for members and their families.
Edan’s contributions were recognized when he was chosen as Honorary Torch Bearer at Israel’s official 74th Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations. He was introduced as “leading the reform to fundamentally change the treatment and attitude towards disabled veterans.” (Watch the video below.)
Edan told the audience of dignitaries and citizens, “I am lighting this torch in honour of my sisters and brothers. These are the disabled who paid with their bodies and souls, for the creation of the State of Israel, and to maintain its existence. At Beit Halochem Centres, we provide for the disabled veterans everything necessary for their rehabilitation. We do not leave any wounded behind!”
In 1992, a bullet changed Edan’s life. In 2021, married to Shiri and the father of Uri and Daniela, his life was once again upended when a routine blood test led to a diagnosis of one of the most dangerous types of leukemia. Doctors made clear that time was of the essence. With the world shut down by COVID, Edan was immediately hospitalized in isolation without the opportunity to say goodbye to his children or clear the mountains of work on his desk. The good humour, optimism, and sheer determination he exhibited following his injury was called upon during this latest fight. His attitude has inspired those around him – including the 300 friends, family, colleagues, and injured veterans who volunteered to donate platelets in Edan’s battle against his blood cancer.
Edan’s prognosis is good. After completing difficult treatment, he has returned to work, ensuring that Beit Halochem Centres in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beer Sheva, and the future Ashdod continue helping Israel’s disabled veterans reclaim their disrupted lives.
Our Centres offer an outstanding range of rehabilitative services, including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, sports training and specialized equipment, creative and cultural activities, as well as engaging programming for the entire family.
Beit Halochem is the sole organization that cares for Israel’s wounded veterans from the time of injury and for the rest of their lives. Due to conflicts and terror attacks, the number of disabled veterans continues to rise; Beit Halochem receives new members on a weekly basis. Edan and his colleagues are there to assist them to navigate their new lives.
Your donation to Beit Halochem Canada, Aid to Disabled Veterans of Israel acknowledges the sacrifices our Heroes – and their families – have made.
With your support, we can fulfil our commitment to rehabilitate, rebuild, and enhance the lives of more than 50,000 Israelis, including Edan Kleiman, disabled in the line of duty.
Without you, Edan cannot do what he does. We cannot do what we do!