7/Lives changed forever

NARRATIVES : BELINDA DONNER

On October 7, 2024, my life was irrevocably altered. A piece of my heart was torn away, and the reason behind it is hard to explain. The massacre that occurred on that day was unprecedented, reminiscent of the horrors of the Holocaust, which my mother survived. The aftermath brought a swift and alarming rise in anti-Semitism in the United States. How could Jews be blamed for such a terrible massacre? Why were so few non-Jews speaking out against the hatred? I felt helpless and isolated, unable to help from afar.

I immersed myself in the news, sharing videos, interviews, and photos to raise awareness about the victims and the unfolding events. My family, concerned for my well-being, saw my obsession grow. I desperately wanted to help those suffering from anti-Semitism or anyone affected in Israel.

I became involved in various programs, like Workshop 8teen, which helps teenagers combat anti-Semitism, and I donated to the IDF for military supplies and PTSD support. I even suggested to a friend from FIDF that if anyone in Israel needed a safe place, they could stay at our guest home in Del Mar. Then, something magical happened.

I was introduced to Shai Gino, an Israeli who had returned to fight after October 7 and now lived in San Diego. Shai suffered from PTSD and continued therapy by the government in Israel. He was devastated by his experiences, losing friends and his childhood home in Metula, which was bombed. His family had been evacuated and were living in hotels.

Shai told me about the Golani Battalion, 13 brigade, which was one of the hardest-hit units on October 7. These soldiers fought in the Nahal Oz. Out of 15 soldiers, 9 died, all of these soldiers were struggling with PTSD. In May 2024, a friend mentioned that Shai wanted to bring some of these soldiers to San Diego for rehabilitation. My husband and I met Shai, and within minutes, we formed a connection. By June, enough funds were raised to bring soldiers, a therapist, a command officer, and a logistics person to San Diego from Israel.

The soldiers arrived late at night on June 13. Most of them had ever been on an airplane before. They stayed in San Diego for ten days. The stay was broken up to living at our home for a week and ending with individual home stays of Shai’s friends in the Community. Despite the Soldiers exhaustion on arrival, we welcomed them with big hugs and open arms. The following days were filled with Shabbat dinners, 5 days of therapy by a certified psychologist from Israel, yoga on the beach, breathwork, boating in Newport Beach, other excursions, and plenty of cigarettes. The therapist noted a remarkable transformation in the soldiers. Initially, the Soldiers feared being hated, feeling like the enemy. The anti-Israel sentiment they saw in the media magnified their sense of despair. But their San Diego experience gave them hope, love, support and a much needed break from their chaos.

This experience was life-changing for the soldiers and for us. We gained new friends from Israel as well as San Diego and the satisfaction of making a positive impact was priceless. We're now planning to broaden the initiative and bring additional soldiers, widowers, and family members to San Diego in the coming year.