IDF soldiers share stories of resilience at Hewlett Chesed Center event

Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers — one retired, the other still active — recently shared their stories of resilience with an audience at the Israel Chesed Center in Hewlett.

Sara Matathias coordinated the Aug. 1 event, which featured retired Major Sagi Dovev and Officer Yonatan Ben Hamou. Ben Hamou was injured by a missile fired by Hamas last November while on a mission in Gaza, and had his left leg amputated. He was a guest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when Netanyahu addressed Congress last month.

Matathias, who lives in Hewlett, was volunteering in Israel in July, and met Dovev at Sheba Hospital, in Ramat Gan, where he works. She recognized Dovev from photos on social media.

Matathias invited Dovev to New York to share his story, and to raise money for a program he co-founded called Sorteam Workshops, in which wounded soldiers receive special training in fighting from Dovev after being  hospitalized.

“Immediately when I offered to host him for this event, my first thought was to get in touch with Moshe Bodner and do it at the Chesed Center, because I have been volunteering there for many months,” Matathias said. Bodner oversees the Chesed Center.

She received approval to use the space, and contacted Rabbi Nachem Tenenboim, of Chabad House of Hewlett, to ask for his help.

“I often emphasize that every single one of us can play a role in supporting Israel — you don’t have to wait for a large organization to take action,” Tenenboim said. “When Sarah reached out, she knew she could count on me and Chabad of Hewlett for any assistance she might need.”

Tenenboim introduced Dovev and Ben Hamou at the event, and led the community in a prayer.

“It was a significant honor for me to introduce these great heroes, who inspired our entire country during their visit to Congress with their remarkable experiences, with their courage,” Tenenboim said. “It was a privilege to pray together as a community for peace in the Holy Land, and to be able to assist individuals in need. It’s about striving to do good and spread positivity.”

Bodner had previously been in touch with Ben Hamou about speaking at the Chesed Center. All of the proceeds from the event went toward Ben Hamou’s rehabilitation, and that of a couple of other soldiers Dovev works with.

“This is an event that it doesn’t matter how religious, observant you are, everybody’s in support of this effort,” Matathias said. “To bring awareness to the wounded soldiers and to help support them financially in their healing process.”

In Sorteam Workshops, Dovev explained, “I train them, support them, help build resilience, confidence, self-belief, value, spirit, and a warrior mindset. I start by creating a friendship, eating with them, understanding their feelings, finding out their aspirations, and what frightens them.”

Dovev helps injured soldiers regain strength and incrementally builds up their skills. He helps them learn how to move and fight with prosthetic limbs. “I wanted to make them feel like warriors again,” he said.

Matathias noted how inspirational it was to hear Dovev and Ben Hamou’s stories of resilience. Ben Hamou showed videos from when he was shot and then airlifted to Sheba hospital.

“Dovev’s mission is to spread positivity and help other wounded soldiers to overcome the obstacle they’re facing as an amputee,” Matathias said. “Everybody left feeling inspired and empowered to do something.”

She met with Roberta Lang, the owner of Judaica Plus, a Jewish gift store in Cedarhurst, and Lang donated two plaques engraved with a blessing for the safety of soldiers. Judaica Plus also donated a piece of art for a silent auction at the Aug. 1 event.

“This is a powerful inspiration for others to host events, engage with their communities, and participate in acts of kindness and charity,” Tenenboim said. “It’s essential that everyone gets involved in supporting Israel and working towards creating a better world.”