Due to the generous donations of our heroic donors, Vision for Israel has been able to donate a new life-saving medi-cycle to ZAKA, which will be stationed in the south of Israel, in the city of Eilat.

ZAKA (abbreviation for Zihuy Korbanot Ason, meaning Disaster Victim Identification) is a series of voluntary community emergency response teams in Israel.

The medi-cycle was dedicated on Sunday in a small ceremony that was held at the Millennium Center, in the presence of ZAKA's chairman, Barry and Batya, ZAKA's CEO, staff members, and volunteers.

Barry said, "This is a moving moment for me. I made Aliyah to Israel as a lone soldier about 30 years ago, and since then I have been working a lot to help lone soldiers and the weaker populations. Saving lives is in my blood. I thank the ZAKA volunteers with all my heart for working year-round to save lives... I bless this activity and holy work. We will continue to cooperate between our organizations in saving lives, in order to improve life for humanity and for the people of Israel".

The medi-cycle is equipped with the best medical equipment and will provide first-aid, and quick response in the city of Eilat and the surroundings.

Are you willing to bless Israel, make a difference in the lives of people, and partner with God's plan for restoration of the land of Israel?

A new medi-cycle was donated and dedicated to ZAKA. The medi-cycle is equipped with the best medical equipment and will provide first-aid, and quick response.

A New Medi-Cycle for ZAKA | Blog | Vision for Israel

"But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high." 

Dear Friends,

This January, Barry and I had the privilege of visiting the Eshkol region to support its emergency response teams. This visit came in the wake of the tragic events of October 7th, and I feel a deep connection to these teams, who faced unimaginable hardship yet persisted, guarding their communities with remarkable courage.

The tragic day took nine of these dedicated security personnel from us, leaving an indelible scar on the Eshkol region. However, their successors continue their legacy, standing as beacons of resilience to protect the lives of those in the settlements. It is thanks to your unwavering support and generosity that Vision for Israel was able to provide a donation of equipment valued at NIS 500,000, including defibrillators, radios, and scanning lights for 32 squads.

The event in Eshkol was moving, filled with both sorrow and resolve. As we spoke with the security officers and local leaders, their words resonated with a heavy sense of grief. The massacre of October 7th left a lasting scar, but their spirits are not broken. Their determination to safeguard their communities remains strong, fueled by love for their homes and families.

I felt compelled to share a message of faith and unity, reminding them of the support from Christians worldwide. I said, "We have many friends around the world who love us and know that the nation of Israel is alive, they are many and dear, Christians who love Israel, thanks to whom we can give you the donations today. They would come fight for us here if they could, and they mean what they say."

I was also reminded of Barry’s dedication over the past two and a half years, installing shelters across the South, including 155 shelters around the Gaza Envelope. This project, fueled by your donations, has saved hundreds of lives, shielding families from rocket fire and other attacks.

Your generosity makes a profound difference, supporting not only emergency response teams but the entire Eshkol region. Together, we are rebuilding and restoring the communities, offering hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

As we left, I felt a renewed sense of hope. The bravery and dedication of the security teams, the support of our partners and donors, and the love of our global community strengthen us all. Together, we will continue to restore and protect the Eshkol region.

Thank you for being a part of this journey and for your steadfast support. Donate Now

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me." 

Batya shares her impressions from a visit to the Eshkol region, where VFI donated equipment to emergency teams, supporting local security and defense efforts. 

A Lifesaving Donation | Blog | Vision for Israel

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 

No matter what we go through in life, we all need the faithful love of God that will never give up on us. Yossi’s story is one where we can see the love of God pursuing his heart through the ups and downs of his life.

Yossi, 42, lives in Sderot with his mother and brother. At a young age, Yossi became friends with a group of people who negatively influenced him into substance abuse. From that point on, Yossi began to drink and use drugs. 

Over years of excessive consumption of alcohol, Yossi began to experience significant physical and mental effects. It got so bad that he almost lost his liver. As a result of the damage to the liver, he received 100% disability from National Insurance. To this day, Yossi lives off of this disability.

Yossi received help at a rehab center for several years to help him with his addiction. He ended up recovering so well that he began to help others overcome their addictions. For 5 consecutive and dedicated years, he worked as an instructor in rehab helping many teenagers and adults with their rehabilitation. He was highly esteemed by his team and was able to advance to the position of instructor coordinator.

In 2021, Yossi lost his father in a fire that broke out in his house while he was sleeping. He also lost a mentor who had accompanied him for years through his journey of recovery. And on top of that, he separated from his partner. With all of these overwhelming and heartbreaking circumstances, Yossi fell hard back into the world of drugs and alcohol.

He moved in with his mother in Sderot and was broken, depressed, hopeless, and without any desire to live. Many made the effort to help him go back to rehab and recovery, but Yossi was so overwhelmed with sorrow, shame, and guilt that he couldn’t get out of his addictions. 

He hit rock bottom when he became a beggar at the central bus station in Tel Aviv. Even though Yossi had given up, his friends, mentors, and God never gave up on him. Many of his friends, who were former addicts, searched for him on the streets of Tel Aviv to encourage him and talk with him. But the final turning point was when Yossi got run over on the roads of Tel Aviv. He suffered serious injuries and almost lost his legs, but God spared his life and his legs. As soon as Yossi’s social worker and friends heard about his accident, they visited him at the hospital. They continued to faithfully visit him day after day during his long recovery at the hospital. 

When he was finally discharged from the hospital, he agreed to go directly to rehab. He went through rehab successfully and then moved to a therapeutic community for a year. From there he continued to a therapeutic hostel, where he began to thrive and help many others in their recovery process as well. When he finished the program and felt strong, he returned home.

Shortly after returning home, the horrific events of October 7th happened. At the time of the incident, Yossi was at his mother’s house, and his sister (divorced) with 6 children, was at her house which was close to the police station in Sderot. This police station was overrun by Hamas terrorists who ruthlessly killed 35 Israeli officers and civilians. 

When Yossi realized there was danger outside, he called his sister to try and rescue her and the kids. Heroically, Yossi drove towards his sister's house and bravely managed to rescue all of them by piling them into his car. As they drove towards his mother's house, bullets were flying all around them, however, they managed to arrive safely.

In the following days, they were relocated with thousands of other Israelis. For several months they were displaced from their homes, but Yossi and his mother have finally returned to her house. Today, Yossi still lives with his mother, but he realizes more and more that he needs his own space and privacy. Yossi had purchased an apartment during his "good" years but did not move into it because of the challenging situations he went through. He would like to return to his own apartment but needs financial assistance to continue to pay his mortgage and for the necessary appliances for his apartment.

Thankfully today, Yossi has rehabilitated his life and is still connected to his mentors and treatments, who help him maintain his recovery. He also plans to return to instructing and helping others recover from their addictions. 

If you would like to partner with VFI in supporting Yossi and many others in their recovery process, visit our website and donate here.

Yossi’s story is one of sorrow and shame, but also joy and victory. Through it all, God never gave up on him. Join VFI in supporting Yossi as he regains hope!

Love & Support That Never Gives Up | Vision for Israel

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” 

Dear Friends,

Today marks VFI’s 30th anniversary!

As Barry and I were driving to Jerusalem not long ago, we passed the street where our office used to be 35 years ago. Memories flooded back of our early days in publishing journals, magazines, and various publications. We enjoyed every moment of our work, but the situation in Israel was becoming increasingly difficult. Terrorist attacks were on the rise, and the call to "comfort my people" echoed in our ears. We realized that we must take the initiative and open a new chapter in our pursuits.

The experience we gained in the business world prepared us for what was to come. In 1994, we officially registered Vision for Israel. Our vision was to support and rehabilitate the vulnerable populations in Israeli society, including new immigrants, Holocaust survivors, the elderly, lone soldiers, and those living below the poverty line. The distress of these communities and the need for emergency and rescue support were close to our hearts. We knew we had to act.

Our journey has been one of love and commitment. In 1996, we faced the brutal reality of radical Islamic terrorism, which only deepened our resolve to be prepared for emergencies and to offer a helping hand. This shared vision between Barry and me was driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to be in the right place at the right time.

In February 1996, we visited families who had lost their loved ones to hostilities. In 1998, we opened the Joseph Storehouse, our operations center in the Judean hills. It was a miracle in itself. By 2009, we had managed to purchase a lot to build a permanent home for Vision for Israel. Construction began in 2012, and in 2018, we entered the Millennium Center, the heart of our activities.

Reflecting on these memories, we are filled with gratitude. The inner feeling was that we should be prepared for emergencies in times of distress and lend a helping hand. The importance of being in a position to provide solutions in difficult times was clear to us. This drive was rooted in love and a desire to be in the right place at the right time.

Over the past thirty years, Vision for Israel has distributed millions of shekels and provided aid to millions of people. We've supported hundreds of thousands of children and tens of thousands of lone soldiers. In times of emergency, we've supplied life-saving equipment to rescue teams and medical centers, including over 260 safety shelters, 8 ambulances, and a bloodmobile for collecting blood donations.

We remember the initial days of Vision for Israel, registering as a nonprofit — feeling satisfaction despite not fully understanding the journey ahead. The unanimity and unity from everyone around us fueled our mission. The connection between our supporters worldwide and those in need was a bond we couldn't have anticipated.

The path was challenging but filled with profound moments. In February 1996, our hearts broke as we visited families who had lost their loved ones to terrorism. Despite the pain, these visits strengthened our resolve. The opening of the Joseph Storehouse in 1998 marked a significant milestone. It was more than a warehouse; it was a beacon of hope.

In 2009, securing a lot to build a permanent home for Vision for Israel was another miracle. The construction that began in 2012 and the completion of the Millennium Center in 2018 symbolized the growth and stability of our mission. This center became the heart of our activities, a place where love and support emanate daily.

It's impossible to count and measure the donations and support that went out from Vision for Israel to all the recipients, the organizations, and the thousands of people who received aid each year. The impact is immeasurable, not just in numbers but in the lives touched and transformed.

Love knows no boundaries, no numbers, no time. Thirty years is a long time, full of experiences and events, but most importantly, full of love. As we reflect on these three decades, we are filled with gratitude for the support and generosity that have made our work possible.

Join us in continuing this journey of love and support. Your donation can make a real difference in the lives of those in need. Click here to donate.
 
Thank you for standing with us and for being part of our Vision for Israel family.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 

Shalom and blessings,

Barry & Batya Segal

Celebrating 30 years of Vision for Israel, providing love, support, and aid to the vulnerable populations in Israel. Join us in making a difference.

Our 30-Year Commitment to Israel | Vision for Israel

Stories

Medical & Emergency

A New Medi-Cycle for ZAKA

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Are you willing to bless Israel, make a difference in the lives of people, and partner with God's plan for restoration of the land of Israel?

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