Thursday in Australia: Sea Lions‚ Koala Bears and Much More…

After a sound sleep‚ our Chabad Terror Victims Project (CTVP) Australia trip for Wounded Israeli Soldiers started out the morning with an absolutely delicious breakfast at the lovely home of another family in the Sydney Jewish community. Every single home we have been in so far has been a delight. The families are all so thrilled to have us and treat the soldiers like the heroes they truly are.

After a sound sleep, our Chabad Terror Victims Project (CTVP) Australia trip for Wounded Israeli Soldiers started out the morning with an absolutely delicious breakfast at the lovely home of another family in the Sydney Jewish community. Every single home we have been in so far has been a delight. The families are all so thrilled to have us and treat the soldiers like the heroes they truly are.

After breakfast we went to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge for an absolutely breath-taking view of the city. When we arrived, the elevator was not working. Our soldiers, despite their injuries and pain, insisted on walking up the 200 steps anyway. This is truly a measure of the courage and determination of these brave young men who don’t let anything get them down.

From the Harbor Bridge, we went to the famous Sydney Opera House and then to the Taronga Zoo where we were treated to a VIP, behind-the-scenes, private tour of the sea lion area. I’ve included some delightful photos of the soldiers and sea lions and well as some others.  We also spent time with the koala bears and got to “hang out” with some kangaroos.

Dinner was at the delicious Katzy’s where we dined with some of the young security guards who protect the Shuls in Sydney. 

Then we went on to spend time with an association of young Jewish doctors in Sydney who listened spell-bound as two of our soldiers – Mor Shaked and Shmuel Mashasha – told their personal stories. You could just see the awe on the faces of the doctors as they listened raptly to what these courageous young men have lived through. The doctors expressed their profound gratitude to all the soldiers for the sacrifices they have made for Israel and the Jewish People.

One of our soldiers, Michael Amoyev, succinctly summed up the feelings of all of them when he said: “I am enjoying myself sooooo much on this trip.  I feel that I am in a dream and I hope I will not wake up suddenly and the movie will be over.”

This trip is indeed a dream come true for these brave young men. Every day so far has been even better than the one before and we are looking forward to all of them.

To Be Continued…

 

Today’s Soldier in the Spotlight: Netanel Mizrachi

Netanel Mizrachi is 21 years old and lives in Givat Zeev. He serves in Golani Regiment 13. They were in Gaza searching for terrorists who were firing Kassam missiles towards Sderot. They settled themselves in a building for the night. The building was hit by artillery, killing three soldiers and injuring 27, among them Netanel.

He was taken by armored vehicle to the border and then helicoptered to Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikva. On the way he lost consciousness. Once there he was wheeled into surgery immediately.

Since he lives near Jerusalem, he was transferred to Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital where he underwent another surgery to save his hand.

The force of the injuries he sustained caused 22 vertebra in his spine to move and he has shrapnel throughout his body. He is now being treated in a day clinic where he receives physiotherapeutic treatment as well as hydro-therapy for his back. He is in constant pain and has to use a cane to walk.

But like all our other soldiers, Netanel too always has a smile on his face. We salute him and his entire regiment for their courage and bravery.