Israeli female soldiers healing in Australia
Their goal is to restore self-confidence, treat physical and psychological injuries, and help veterans regain control of their lives.
Brothers for Life (BFL) was formed in 2007 as a non-profit by wounded Israeli veterans after the Second Lebanon War. Its mission is to provide immediate, personalised support to wounded combat soldiers. It receives no direct government funding and relies on donor support.
BFL provides hospital visits by mentors as well as personalised support after discharge, tailored to life circumstances. BFL’s core activities include social events, sports and hobby groups, complex medical support and mental and physical health services. Their goal is to restore self-confidence, treat physical and psychological injuries, and help veterans regain control of their lives. Members also receive help with financial planning, education and job placement.
Prior to October 7, 2023, its membership included around 1200 wounded veterans, but today its numbers have increased to over 3000, with a waitlist of over 1600. Since 2018 it has welcomed female combat soldiers and today has 49 women – around 18 per cent of all combat soldiers in Israel are female.
For the first time in BFL’s history, injured female combat soldiers came to Australia as part of a healing delegation. Their group leader Yael remarked, “This journey here in Melbourne is the first of its kind, first only-women delegation, and it has been truly life changing. We’re so grateful to our host families here in Melbourne for making us feel part of their family, part of their home.”
During their stay in Melbourne, the women enjoyed puppy yoga, a MasterChef challenge at C Care, a visit to schools, and day trips to Mornington Peninsula hot springs and winery, surfing and Phillip Island.
“The needs of women injured in combat are complex and presented differently than the veterans we have previously hosted,” Amy Feiglin, one of the lead host families in Australia told The AJN. “We felt privileged to be a small part of their healing process.”
At an event on February 22 to hear the soldiers’ stories, a platoon deputy commander in search and rescue shared that on October 7, 2023, when she entered Kibbutz Be’eri, a missile was fired towards her area and she broke her back. After two months of rehabilitation, she decided to return to reserve duty, and is now working with Israeli Police.
Another soldier recounted her military battles on October 7 which wounded her leg. She said that BFL helped her in spirit even before she went to hospital.
“The second I got injured, I was sure I didn’t have a leg. I was sure my foot was blown off … And I thought about all the soldiers that no matter what injury they got … people I saw running at the beach without a leg, or surfing without an arm … And I thought, if they can do it, then so can I. So get a hold of yourself.”
She added, “Knowing that we all are going to get through this no matter how hard it gets, and that there are people all over the world who are truly there to support us in any way they can … it warms all of our hearts and helps us.
“Honestly, every way helps, even just seeing your faces and knowing that you all love us and support us and want us to get back home safe and be fine mentally and physically.”
For more information and to donate visit brothersforlife.com