An Awesome Beginning

Izzi Ezagui is twenty years old. He made aliyah to Israel from New York and volunteered to join the Horev Regiment of the IDF that specializes in urban combat. 
  
 
Greetings!

I have tears of emotion in my eyes as I describe to you the awesome beginning of our Chabad Terror Victims Project (CTVP) journey to Australia with ten wounded Israeli soldiers. We were invited on this once-in-a-lifetime trip by Rabbi Yanky Barber of Melbourne.

We left Israel on Sunday night June 28th.  Included in our group of soldiers were some who were wounded as recently as the Gaza War which took place this past January. Some of them just finished their rehabilitation program and several had to get special permission from their doctors to be able to make this trip.

With that in mind I have to tell you that rarely in my life have I seen such courageous people as these soldiers – and such joyous people!  The smiles on their faces as we gathered were heartwarming and inspiring.

When they arrived at the airport we surprised them with a special treat. They were met by a senior representative of El Al Airlines who escorted them to the first class check-in area. There they were spoiled, as well they deserved, with delicious food and drinks compliments of El Al, and even massages.

From there they were accompanied onto the plane where again they received special treatment. As we took off, the PA system came on welcoming CTVP and these courageous Israeli soldiers who were making this trip to Australia. The applause and cheers of the other passengers reverberated throughout the plane and surely set the tone for the trip to come.

We asked special permission from the pilots for the soldiers to be able to go into the cockpit and they were thrilled to have these heroes join them. Every hour, two more soldiers were allowed in to get a first-hand look at what flying a jumbo jet is all about.

We want to offer deepest gratitude to El Al Airlines for the tremendous honor and respect they showed our group. I want to tell you personally that flying with these heroes of Israel is a privilege beyond description for me and for everyone aboard the flight.

Please stay tuned for the next update on our trip.

Today’s Soldier in the Spotlight: Izzi Ezagui

Izzi Ezagui is twenty years old. He made aliyah to Israel from New York and volunteered to join the Horev Regiment of the IDF that specializes in urban combat.

Izzi, together with the soldiers in his regiment, were staying in a tent on the front lines awaiting their turn to join the fighting in Gaza. As they waited, a Kassam missile hit their tent and Izzi lost his right arm. He has suffered tremendous pain and undergone numerous surgeries meant to try and ease the pain.

We salute Izzi and all the brave members of his regiment for their courage and their devotion to Israel and the Jewish People.

With blessings, Yossi Swerdlov