FZS Update – Spring 2024
FZS Update – Spring 2024
Dear Friends of Zion,
Last week we revived an older FZS project of hosting wounded Israeli soldiers we used to facilitate during the “Cast Lead” War of 2009. Now, since the Oct 7thmassacre we have once again begun a week-long time of rest and recovery in the Swiss Alps for our wounded heroes… The Israeli Army stated, “According to Israeli military figures, at least 634 soldiers have been killed and 3,573 others injured since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on Oct. 7, 2023.” To make matters worse, in the last few days, it was just announced that 30 more soldiers had been injured in fighting within two days… These are staggering statistics for such a tiny country as Israel, and the war is far from ending anytime soon with 125 hostages still being held in Gaza!
Some of the wounded boys we hosted were severely wounded in battle and after difficult surgeries and spending months in the hospital with painful physical rehabilitation, this was their first “time out” to enjoy life a bit and try and return to “normal” life again. In all, we shared 9 full days with each other, touring, eating, and living together, while experiencing a truly blessed time with many deep conversations about life, faith and GOD! It was a time full of love and new friendship despite so much sadness and loss that the boys had just endured… PTL we were able to build a special relationship with each one of them!
Here are a few pictures and impressions to share with you:
Rafting and Hiking
Exploring Different Mountains
Blessed with a Scenic Flight to see the Alps up-close
BBQ’s and Birthday Celebration with the Boys
Different Waterfalls to Explore
Unforgettable Sceneries
A Private Boat Ride on a Glacier Lake
After they returned to Israel, we received various letters of thanks both from the boys and their parents. “For me, it was the most exciting and beautiful experience I have ever had. It was so good to have the tranquil views of the streams and the birds to just disconnect from our reality here in Israel. It really helped the mind relax beyond just realizing a dream of these landscapes. An important part, just like everything I described, was your family, such warm hospitality and unconditional love from the first moment I felt like you were our second family. Also meeting other friends and coming together with them as a group and telling the Swiss all about our injuries was very meaningful. I don’t think any of us have ever opened up our story like that before. Thank you so much for everything!”
One father wrote to us and said, “Our son returned full of joy and light.”
“I just wanted to say thank you so much for the amazing week you gave us! If you tell me what could have been better this week, I would have nothing to say…. I enjoyed it so much that words can hardly describe it. Without a doubt one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life! The main reason why this week was so special is because of the people who made it happen…. So comfortable and warm that I felt more at home than at home.”
Our Next Group of Wounded Soldiers in June
We would now like you to meet the boys from our upcoming outreach… Aviad, Ido, Royi, Shavit and Yinon:
Aviad (21) Was injured on December 19, 2023 in Shujah’iyya and lost sight in his left eye due to a grenade explosion.
Ido (27) Was injured on November 10, 2023 in an explosion from a booby-trapped tunnel shaft in Beit Hanun. His left leg is now impaired and he needs a special ankle brace. Of their squad of 10 soldiers, 4 died, while the other 5 had to have at least one leg amputated. Ido said that the other survivors joke that he is the only one with 2 legs.
Royi (23) Survived a gunshot to the arm in a terrorist attack on October 30, 2023 at the entrance to Jerusalem as he was on his way back to his unit in Gaza.
Shavit (20) Survived a sniper shot to the neck and shrapnel to the face and shoulder on December 21, 2023 in Gaza. Shavit has a tracheotomy and was unable to speak for a month and doctors claimed he would never be able to use his vocal cords again, but just as he miraculously survived, so is his body healing and he was allowed to return home from the hospital a few weeks ago. Shavit also hopes to be able to speak out loud again soon, as he jokes: “What is an Israeli if he can’t yell?”
Yinon (21) Survived a shot to the leg and other shrapnel to the body on December 27, 2023 near Gaza City.
Thank you so very much for all your prayers and support that make such meaningful projects like hosting wounded soldiers possible!
Grisha Serving at FZS
There is someone I would like to introduce you to who has been a part of our FZS family for almost 14 years. Gregory Vishnevetsky or “Grisha” as we call him, came to us by request of his parents, Alexander and Anya, themselves both Holocaust Survivors, out of concern for their son Grisha. You see, Grisha was diagnosed with moderate Autism (with a very high IQ) from birth and he had lapsed into severe depression, sleeping 16 hours a day and hardly able to walk outside their apartment without needing to rest.
At first, when Alexander asked, I thought there was no way we could handle such a responsibility with our busy schedule of activities, but after talking with the other staff members and prayer, we decided to give it a try with Grisha. In the beginning, he could only focus for 1 hour per day, and he often had to lay down and rest because of dizziness and headaches. He would often vomit from contact with other people, and the first several months were touch-and-go. However, with much love and patience, we began to see signs of progress in his stamina along with his will to stay with us which motivated him to try and improve. He even began lifting small hand weights to strengthen his arms!
Grisha’s tasks now include light office work, answering phone calls, carrying aid boxes, and light shopping runs for supplies when needed. Grisha also collects the mail once per week from the P.O. Box in the center of town.
Today, Grisha has become a permanent fixture at FZS, and I truly don’t know what we would do without his kind and gentle smile at our facility in Jerusalem every day!
Here is our beloved Grisha:
Grisha and Bradley
We greatly appreciate your prayers and participation in all that we do at FZS, especially for the next group of wounded soldiers we will soon be hosting!
A heartfelt Shalom and many Blessings,
Bradley Antolovich
International Director
Aid to Israel and the Nations