“There were terrorists in the area, and we were warned to stay inside, but my wife and children were hurt, and I needed to take care of them.”
On October 7th, Bar Yochai Dachbash, Director of Chug Yedid HaTorah, a Leket Israel nonprofit partner in Netivot, 9 miles from the Gaza border, was in synagogue for Simchat Torah prayers. The synagogue, which is attached to his home, was full of attendees, while only a few feet away, a meal was being prepared for later that day.
Halfway through the prayers, a rocket hit the building next door. Debris blasted through his home, damaging the building. Fortunately, none of the women preparing meal were injured as they took refuge under tables. However, next door in the synagogue, walls and windows were shattered. Several congregants sustained injuries, some moderate and some severe, from fragments from the explosion.
Despite being injured himself, Bar Yochai, a trained paramedic, knew he had to get his family and friends to a medical facility. Without available ambulances, the injured had to be transported to the hospital by any means possible. “There were terrorists in the area, and we were warned to stay inside,” he recalls, “but my wife and children were hurt, and I needed to take care of them.”
“Every week we received fresh produce and essentials from Leket Israel. This support helped us immensely during those uncertain times.”
In his 16-seat passenger van, Bar Yochai drove the injured to the nearest hospital, which was in Beer Sheva, a half hour drive under the best conditions. During the drive, he faced roadblocks and delays at checkpoints. At one point, he had to pull the van over to perform a roadside procedure to stabilize one of the passengers.
After returning from the hospital, Bar Yochai, his wife, and twelve of his sixteen children were relocated to a hotel and then an apartment in Jerusalem, where they lived for six months. While in Jerusalem, Bar Yochai’s family received food assistance from Leket Israel, becoming a temporary recipient himself. “Every week we received fresh produce and essentials from Leket Israel,” he shares. “This support helped us immensely during those uncertain times.” Meanwhile Bar Yochai’s organization in Netivot served as a cafeteria for soldiers, preparing meals with Leket Israel’s fresh produce, and serving it to the soldiers before they headed into battle.
“Despite the many challenges this year has brought, we stand together as one nation. With the help of Leket Israel we can overcome these obstacles for the New Year ahead.”
Meanwhile Bar Yochai’s organization in Netivot served as a cafeteria for soldiers, preparing meals with Leket Israel’s fresh produce, and serving it to the soldiers before they headed into battle.
Today, Bar Yochai is back in Netivot, although he is unable to return home. His nonprofit has returned to serving those in need in his community with nutritious fruit and vegetables provided by Leket Israel.