“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, "I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Our Vision for Israel team and volunteers just had another magical day of giving, this time as part of Clothing Day for Holocaust survivors.

Holocaust survivors in Israel live off very small stipends, and many of them require expensive medicines to get by. The cost of living in Israel can be a heavy burden on them.

So after weeks of preparation—hand sorting through thousands of clothing items and packing dozens of packages—we finally loaded all the packages into our vehicles and went out for distribution.

We were so pleased to see that dozens of Holocaust survivors came to the event to choose clothing items that are to their liking. The choices included coats, shirts, pants, winter clothes, jackets, undergarments, pajamas, and more. 

The event was, of course, organized following the strict Covid-19 instructions and limitations that were in place—with an open-air layout and small groups of people allowed together at one time. 

We were very excited to meet them and to see the joy and delight on their faces. Even the weather agreed—blessing us all with a clear blue sky, and the warm sun for our special day.

Each one of the survivors left the place with a bag full of clothing items that fit them and their taste. In return, they left us with words of gratitude and smiles to carry us through during this difficult time.

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?

Clothed in Compassion | Blog | Vision for Israel

“A second here or a centimeter there...“

Dear Friends,

It was a quiet evening in January in Tel Aviv. Ofer*, a 29-year-old young attorney, was standing with friends outside a café—talking, laughing, maybe dreaming of what the future would hold. He had just started a new job, launched his legal career after graduating with honors, and was finally seeing the fruits of years of hard work.

But then came a moment that changed everything.

Without warning, a terrorist attacked Ofer from behind, stabbing him in the back of the neck with a long, sharp knife. The blade pierced 4 centimeters deep. It was a miracle that he survived. Just seconds earlier, Ofer had borrowed a friend’s visor hat and casually turned it backwards onto his head. That small, seemingly insignificant gesture absorbed enough of the impact to prevent the knife from reaching a main artery—an artery that, had it been severed, would have taken his life instantly.

“A second here or a centimeter there,” Ofer later wrote, “and I wouldn’t be alive.”

Ofer was rushed to the hospital, bleeding heavily and facing internal injuries. He underwent surgery and spent days in recovery. But when he left the hospital, his journey was far from over. He lost nerve sensation in parts of his head and neck. Chronic pain in his shoulder and arm made even writing an email a struggle. His physical strength—once shaped by regular workouts and athletic training—felt shattered.

And mentally? The trauma is deep.

He now lives in a state of hyper-alertness. Crowded streets, unfamiliar faces—everyday moments can trigger overwhelming anxiety and fear.

He once gave freely of his time and money, volunteering and donating to help others. But now, his own needs have brought him to a place of vulnerability. Medical expenses, especially for trauma therapy, are high. National Insurance has limited support, and psychologists through the public system are overbooked. Ofer had to seek private help—and the cost was more than he could bear.

That’s when he reached out to Vision for Israel.

Though it was difficult for him to ask, he humbly requested our help. And because of your generosity, we were able to say yes. Ofer is now receiving the specialized trauma therapy he desperately needs. But his road to healing is long, and he cannot walk it alone.

Dear friends, Ofer is just one of many who have survived the physical violence of terrorism—only to face an even harder battle for recovery. Right now, he still cannot work. Rent, utilities, treatment—it’s all piling up.

Your gift today can help Ofer continue his therapy, cover his basic expenses, and most importantly—hold onto hope.

Please give now to support people like Ofer who have suffered unimaginable trauma but are fighting to heal.

Let’s stand with Ofer. Let’s remind him—and others in pain—that they are not alone. That the body of Messiah is still active, still compassionate, and still full of mercy.


With gratitude and blessings,

Barry & Batya



*Name has been changed

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

A young lawyer, stabbed in a Tel Aviv terror attack, begins his journey of healing—thanks to your compassion. Please help Ofer rebuild his life today.

Ofer Survived a Terror Attack—Here’s How You Helped | Vision for Israel

Ofer Survived a Terror Attack—Here’s How You Helped

“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

Stories

Aid to the Poor in Israel

Clothed in Compassion

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, "I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Matthew 25:31-40

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?

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