Author: State Of The Heart

So I spent two years writing a book, another year finding a publisher and an additional year making changes to the original copy. Then the publisher worked hard to get the book in stores in Israel and the US and we set the launch date on March 1. Few days before the launch he sends me an email that the book has been accepted by the two largest book-store chains in Israel Steimatzky and Tzomet… GREAT news?!!

Or NOT?…the same week #Corona hits Israel and our country, like many others #worldwide, is placed in semi-lockdown and businesses, restaurants, cafes and “book stores” are closed. The tourism related business I work in also came to a halt and now I’m at home with my family not knowing what tomorrow brings…

Now I know my reality pails in comparison to the thousand of people who have been infected with the virus and the #uncertainty and #pain they are going through and the hundreds and thousands who are in quarantine. My #heart and #prayers are with you right now!!

Through all this I have given much thought to the book I wrote, State Of the Heart and what it stands for. The book as its name suggests is a collection of stories about inspiring #people and #organizations that work to preserve and advance human #life in Israel and worldwide. It covers the stories of doctors, emergency medical staff, global aid volunteers, founders and humanitarian relief organizations, social entrepreneurs, soldiers and others who have and continue to make incredible sacrifices to better #humanity and their surroundings, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity.

It’s made me realize how relevant this book is at such a challenging time when this global situation has called upon so many people to put themselves on the frontlines and apply their skill sets, talents, ideas and creativity to help fight and beat this crisis.

I am in daily contact with the people featured in the book and I therefore intend to continue promoting their #stories!! I plan to share unique stories from the field that further document this narrative and important message at such a crucial time!!

I also invite you to HELP me in this effort by sending me stories that you hear of in your own communities and countries. I will be happy to share and post them here so that we can all learn from them; see if their efforts can be implemented close to home and feel inspired to continue in their path and make a difference!!!!

I am also pledging to donate #proceeds from the books online sales to help promote these initiatives and bring global awareness to further their efforts!!

The book ends with the following quote which I believe has never been more important than now: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?” (Ethics of the Fathers ‪1:14‬).

❤️☮️??!!!

 I can’t get this out of my mind!

Two weeks ago, I received these photos from Eli Beer, founder and CEO of United Hatzalah in Israel and one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. Eli as many of you know started United Hatzalah of Israel driven by a passion to find the quickest solution to save lives in Israel. When Eli was 6 years old he witnessed a terror attack while walking back from school in Jerusalem and shocked from the sites he saw he ran home. Later he went on to volunteer at an ambulance service but became increasingly frustrated by the fact that they almost always arrived too late responding to emergencies. In 1996, Eli finally launched his innovative answer: Ambucycles, medically-equipped motorcyles that respond to medical situations within 3 minutes and less. Drivers are fully trained paramedics, equipped with an advanced GPS application that dispatches the nearest responder to the site of the emergency. They have over 6,000 volunteers today, who let nothing come in the way between them and saving lives, regardless of whether the patient is Jewish, Muslim or Christian. To date, they have responded to over 300,000 calls annually of which approximately 10% are life and death situations and their model and technology has been implemented in countries worldwide saving lives on an unprecedented level. They are also currently on the frontlines in the fight against Corona responding to thousands of calls daily of sick people across the country

And then this happens!! As published in the media today, Eli has been diagnosed with the Corona Virus while on a fundraising trip in Miami. He is currently sedated and has been placed on a respirator machine. Before being sedated, Eli in typical style called on people to pray and perform acts of kindness toward eachother.

Please pray for Eli Beer or Eliezer Yehuda Ben Chaya. May he be blessed with a speedy recovery!!!

Today I received this photo of Major. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog holding a copy of my book State Of The Heart. For those that don’t know, Major Almog is probably one of the State Of Israel’s most decorated soldiers and a true national hero.

Almog first gained renown for his role as the first Israeli commander to land during the daring rescue mission in Entebbe in 1976, and later for his participation in rescuing Ethiopian Jews in Operation Moses, amongst hundreds of other secret missions on behalf of Israel’s security. Later he went on to head Israel’s Southern Command for three years.

But Almog is also known for something else, if not much greater than his military success. After retiring from the army and motivated by his late son Eran Almog Z’l who was born with severe autism and developmental delays, he helped establish Aleh Negev– Nahalat Eran, one of Israel’s most advanced rehabilitation centers for people with severe physical and cognitive Disabilities.

The image above shows Almog standing in front of a painting in his home with three people sitting on a horse. The person in the front symbolizes Doron; the second person in the painting represents his late brother Eran who was tragically killed during the Yom Kippur War in Israel and with whom he loved riding horses with as young kids. The third person in the painting is his late son Eran, who lost his battle with Castelman’s disease in 2007 at the age of 23. Doron’s dream was to teach his son how to ride horses which unfortunately never materialized.

Doron is an amazing example of how a person responds to the needs of his family, community and surroundings and at these unique and challenging times that we are all facing worldwide, provides us with much inspiration!

Aleh today, provides high level medical and rehabilitative care to over 700 kids, from all walks of life, in its four centers throughout Israel.

I am honored to have had the opportunity to feature them in State Of The Heart!

Urim Publications

Kudos to Dov Hirth ?