Due to the generous donations of our heroic donors, Vision for Israel has been able to donate a new life-saving medi-cycle to ZAKA, which will be stationed in the south of Israel, in the city of Eilat.

ZAKA (abbreviation for Zihuy Korbanot Ason, meaning Disaster Victim Identification) is a series of voluntary community emergency response teams in Israel.

The medi-cycle was dedicated on Sunday in a small ceremony that was held at the Millennium Center, in the presence of ZAKA's chairman, Barry and Batya, ZAKA's CEO, staff members, and volunteers.

Barry said, "This is a moving moment for me. I made Aliyah to Israel as a lone soldier about 30 years ago, and since then I have been working a lot to help lone soldiers and the weaker populations. Saving lives is in my blood. I thank the ZAKA volunteers with all my heart for working year-round to save lives... I bless this activity and holy work. We will continue to cooperate between our organizations in saving lives, in order to improve life for humanity and for the people of Israel".

The medi-cycle is equipped with the best medical equipment and will provide first-aid, and quick response in the city of Eilat and the surroundings.

Are you willing to bless Israel, make a difference in the lives of people, and partner with God's plan for restoration of the land of Israel?

A new medi-cycle was donated and dedicated to ZAKA. The medi-cycle is equipped with the best medical equipment and will provide first-aid, and quick response.

A New Medi-Cycle for ZAKA | Blog | Vision for Israel

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Dear Friends,

On the morning of October 7th, Israel was shaken to its core. As rockets fell and terrorists crossed into our land, there were many who chose not to run—but to stay, to serve, and to save. One of them was a young paramedic named Amit.

We first heard Amit’s story from Ronit Glaser, a longtime medic with Magen David Adom. She was working at the MDA command center in Jerusalem that day, after rushing her own daughters to safety through a barrage of rocket sirens.

Ronit took the call from Amit just after 7 AM. Amit was trapped inside the dental clinic in Kibbutz Be’eri—one of the first communities attacked that day. She had multiple gunshot victims with her. Two were already dead. She asked Ronit calmly, “When are you coming?” In the background, Ronit could hear the gunfire.

She begged her supervisor for an answer. When it came, she was heavy with sorrow as she told Amit: “You’re one of us so I’ll tell you the truth. We don’t know when we’ll get to you. We’re trying. But we can’t reach you”. Amit was in the middle of a war zone.

Still, Amit remained hopeful. Hours later, she called again. In the middle of the call, one of the wounded men with her tried to flee. She stopped him, firmly but gently: “You’re not going anywhere. You’re staying with me. We don’t know what’s outside.”

By then, the full tragedy had begun to unfold. Terrorists had blocked entry routes. Special forces were ambushed. Even the local MDA ambulance driver, Avi Yachatz, was gunned down—along with his two young grandsons.

And Amit? She stayed.

For nearly eight hours, she kept treating the wounded. She had even been shot in the leg—but managed to apply a tourniquet to herself. It wasn’t until terrorists finally breached the clinic that she was killed. She was only 22 years old.

They found her two days later, once the building had been cleared of booby traps. She was still wearing her surgical gloves.

Amit had been the youngest paramedic trainer in MDA. That morning, her boyfriend urged her to leave and join him somewhere safer. But she refused. “I’m on call this Shabbat,” she said. “I’m staying.”

The only survivor from the clinic later told her mother: “She was my paradise in hell. She was an angel.”

Stories like these are difficult to hear—but they are vital to remember. They remind us of the real heroes: those who run toward the broken and the bleeding. Those who treat the wounded even when death is near. Those who answer the call.

We at Vision for Israel are humbled to stand alongside organizations like MDA—to support the very medics who serve on the frontlines of tragedy. And with your help, we can continue equipping them with ambulances, medical supplies, and protection—tools that help preserve life when every second counts.

Stand with the heroes who refuse to leave the suffering behind. Give now and dedicate your gift to the Medical and emergency fund.

Amit’s hands remained open until the end—offering care, hope, and life. May we be inspired to do the same, in her memory.

Watch the video


With honor and remembrance,

Barry & Batya


“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Amit, a 22-year-old medic, gave her life treating the wounded in Kibbutz Be’eri. Hear her story—and stand with Israel’s medics who still serve under fire.

In Memory of the Heroes Who Stood Their Ground | Vision for Israel

In Memory of the Heroes Who Stood Their Ground

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Dear Friends,

In Rishon Letzion’s winding streets, we met Shlomit during one of our high holiday gift card distributions. At 48 years old, her body bears the visible scars of NF1 disease—a condition that causes painful tumors both inside and out. While these tumors ravage her body, Shlomit’s spirit shines with an unquenchable light.

Shlomit’s challenges are unimaginable. She’s endured multiple surgeries to remove malignant tumors, with more looming. Her husband, a hardworking renovator, has faced severe financial setbacks since the tragic events of October 7th, 2023. Together, they care for their two daughters, their love a beacon amid life’s storms.

But Shlomit’s journey is not only one of survival—it's one of incredible generosity. She recalls a time, 18 years ago, when she and her children from her first marriage were homeless, abandoned, and destitute. A kind stranger offered her shelter and hope, helping her rebuild her life, by giving Shlomit and her children a place to live until she could stand up on her own two feet. Today, Shlomit pays that kindness forward. She advocates for struggling families, collects food baskets, and even helped establish a Time Bank (a place where people “deposit“ their volunteer time and cash it when they need help) in Jerusalem to strengthen her community many years ago.

Her unwavering faith drives her to lift others, even as her own burdens grow heavier. “It makes me feel good,” she says of her efforts to help others. Her story reminds us of Yeshua’s call to care for the least among us, to show compassion and love even in our own trials.

Friends, we can be that source of hope for Shlomit and many others like her. Your support enables us to distribute essential aid, provide medical assistance, and sustain families facing insurmountable challenges. As we step into this new year, let us answer God’s call to stand with the brokenhearted.

Will you help families like Shlomit’s continue her fight and bring relief to her family? Your gift can provide critical care and ongoing support during their darkest hours.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Please give today and be the light Shlomit and others need. Together, we can transform lives through God’s love.


With heartfelt thanks,
Barry & Batya

Shlomit’s story of survival and overcoming inspires us all. Help us support her family and others in need in Israel with your generous donation today.

Shlomit’s Story: Light in the Darkness of Illness | Vision for Israel

Shlomit’s Story: Light in the Darkness of Illness

“Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s wounds and give it prosperity and true peace. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel and rebuild their towns.”

Trauma is a very real issue that the entire nation of Israel has to battle with as a “normal” part of life. And now more than ever, trauma is running rampant throughout the nation of Israel since the horrific terrors of October 7th, 2023. Israelis are in desperate need of God’s healing, true peace, and restoration.

VFI recognizes how these terrorists have caused great destruction and trauma in the lives of many. Therefore, we see great value in coming alongside Israelis who are battling trauma to help them rebuild their lives. One precious Israeli that we have been able to support is a woman named Re’ut*. She has received help from the welfare department for several months, along with rehabilitation through the National Insurance Institute.

From a young age, Re’ut was exposed to terrorist attacks and horrific trauma. She grew up in Kiryat Arba, near Hebron, a Jewish settlement in the middle of Judea and Samaria. This small Jewish town is completely surrounded by Arab villages. Therefore, the Jewish communities living there have faced the reality and fear of terror attacks daily.

As a little girl, Re’ut experienced terrorists attempting to break into her home several times. Can you imagine the amount of fear that puts into a little girl’s heart? Sadly, much worse things happened to Re’ut. One horrific trauma that Re’ut experienced was being raped by several Arabs. She managed to run away from them, but could not run away from the trauma that scarred her innocent heart and body. 

Re’ut didn’t let this trauma keep her from living her life. She got married and had kids, but she couldn’t run from the pain, hurt, and trauma. She was recognized as a victim of hostility with post-traumatic stress disorder. When October 7th happened, her husband got called to serve in the army, and she lost a baby in pregnancy. Her mental state became even more unstable and her anxiety increased, which also affected her entire family.

Due to all of this, Re’ut, who is a graphic designer, has not been able to work for two years. Her husband has been working hard to provide for their financial needs, taking care of the home, and trying to support his wife in the best way he knows including escorting her every time she leaves and enters the settlement.

Re'ut is currently in rehabilitation where she is focusing on the occupational aspect. VFI desired to help Re’ut get back on her feet and gave her a laptop so she could go back to work from home as a graphic designer. Being able to work remotely on something she enjoys could help her heal, overcome some of her anxiety, and help improve her family’s financial situation.

After Re’ut received the laptop, she wrote us a beautiful letter of gratitude. She wrote: 


How does one begin to say thank you when there are no words that could truly express it? During these days, when the whole nation of Israel is dealing with, and also us personally, severe terror attacks, my husband being drafted, the loss of a pregnancy, and the post-trauma, I came to a state of collapse.

But what kept me going is the saying "Wherever there is destruction there will be expansion". The Arabs wanted to destroy us and I chose to expand my heart, despite the difficulty.

But it's impossible to do this alone. Your help gave me the strength and the light within the darkness. Thanks to you I will be able to rise up from the trouble, and not just me, but also my children and my family. You have rescued me from a mental breakdown, and God forbid, suicide. 

My heart says thank you, thank you, thank you. You have been the messengers to be my light.

From young to old, the people of Israel are battling through trauma right now on many different levels. We invite you to join us in praying for and financially supporting the people of Israel for such a time as this. Pray for God to heal their hearts from all the trauma and rebuild their lives to become even stronger!

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

VFI supports Israelis battling trauma, especially now during the war. Read more about Re’ut’s story, and how you can support others in their healing journey.

Supporting Re’ut in Her Healing Journey | Vision for Israel

Supporting Re’ut in Her Healing Journey

Stories

Medical & Emergency

A New Medi-Cycle for ZAKA

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Are you willing to bless Israel, make a difference in the lives of people, and partner with God's plan for restoration of the land of Israel?

Recent Related Stories

In Memory of the Heroes Who Stood Their Ground

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Shlomit’s Story: Light in the Darkness of Illness

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Supporting Re’ut in Her Healing Journey

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Download the VFI News App!

Get the Latest News & Updates

Stay on the pulse. Receive the latest stories and updates from Israel. Support us in prayer!

Stay Engaged

Quick Links

Get Involved

Get In Touch