On Saturday Night, March 4th, 200 Angelinos gathered at The Mark for the annual “A Toast to our Heroes” honoring 10 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and veterans who were wounded in Operation Protective Edge.
The party was the culmination of a 10-day trip of a Lifetime organized by Lev Chayal, which was founded by Brocha Yemini and Chaya Israily and a hosting committee of young professionals, and is under the auspices of Chabad Israel Center directed by Rabbi Amitai and Fayge Yemini and Rabbi Asher and Racheli Yemini.
Lev Chayal is devoted to building a community of love and support around our injured IDF soldiers. “Wounds of war stay with our soldiers the rest of their lives,” says Brocha Yemini, founder of Lev Chayal. “The Trip Of A Lifetime is a gift of gratitude in which we all can take part. The trip eases the unimaginable physical and emotional trauma they have experienced during military service protecting our Holy Land,” she says.
During their time in Los Angeles, the delegation visited Staples Center, Spurs Player Dewayne Dedmon, Tinder HQ, Headspace, Getty Villa, Hollywood Blvd, OUE Skyspace, RTA Brand and other locations.
At the finale event, a video from the Israeli Knesset was shown, Hollywood dancer Asaf Goren presented awards to the soldiers and Avner Saban gave greetings from the Israeli Consulate and expressed how important it is to support Lev Chayal.
“Israeli soldiers wounded while protecting our country deserve respect, love, and affection from the greater Jewish community of Los Angeles,” says Yemini. “We are incredibly grateful for the warm welcome the community showed our delegation. We appreciate all the individuals who opened up their doors and hearts to support our soldiers and the Trip of A Lifetime, especially Marvin Markowitz, who generously supports our project,” she adds.
Amazing to see my classmates making such a powerful difference with bringing so much light in the darkest situations! I can’t imagine how these hero’s felt and how everyone who met them got inspired as well!
The Rebbe loved and admired these wounded soldiers and ure keeping that msg alive!
-Yamumahalu!
My name is Sam Kustanovitch-as a poor immigrant the Yemeni Family took me under their broad shoulders of love and service.
I and my fellow israeli soldiers knew …even while on the battlefield we had people praying for us!!
And so,When we arrived in LA they took care of our Gashmiyut and Ruchniut as only they can!
God bless them!
These young men, our heroes deserve to be recognized! It’s incredible what this organization is doing by giving recognition and support to these otherwise unsung heroes! Thank you on behalf of all Israel !