Rebuilding Lives, Repaying Courage
Since October 7, the demand for Beit Halochem’s services
has grown dramatically, stretching resources like never before.
We continue fulfilling our commitment to rehabilitate, rebuild, and enhance the lives of over 65,000 Israelis, including Michelle and Hagay, disabled while protecting Israel for us all.
Michelle Rukovitzin
When Michelle Rukovitzin walked down the aisle at her September 2025 wedding, every slow, deliberate step she took towards her groom was one more victory since being left for dead on October 7, 2023.
Staff Sergeant Rukovitzin was an intelligence systems technician, working at outposts along the Gaza border. On duty at Kissufim when Hamas attacked, she ran with her unit to the base’s shelter. The terrorists threw grenades inside before storming in and opening fire at point-blank range.
Michelle is considered among the most critically-injured military personnel to survive October 7. Shrapnel pierced her lung and ribs. A fragment entered her brain through her eye. She had been struck by seven bullets, one of which hit her tongue. She lay bleeding among dead friends for 14 hours before being rescued.
At Sheba Hospital, Michelle was placed on life support and in a coma for three months. Doctors told her family that, if she lived, she was unlikely to walk again. When she did wake, every limb was paralyzed, she had lost an eye, as well as her speech, and a third of one lung. Following several surgeries, and with intensive therapy, Michelle slowly regained function on the right side of her body and relearned to sit, stand, and walk.
She spoke for the first time in March 2024. When Rinat, her longtime partner, proposed, Michelle vowed aloud,
Yes! And I will walk down the aisle on my own two feet!
A part-time model during her service, 24-year-old Michelle is working hard to accept her changed body.
I’m not who I was. I have a prosthetic eye, scars, my left side isn’t like before. But I’m learning to discover strength I never knew I had.
Among the organization’s highest priorities is to provide support and encouragement to its youngest members, ages 18 to 35, through a wide range of programming appealing to their specific needs and interests. Activities available to its members include wall-climbing, scuba diving, paintball, Jeep outings, and extreme sports, as well as concerts and other social gatherings. Michelle is involved with Beit Halochem Tel Aviv’s Young Veterans Club.
Hamas tried to destroy me. They failed. With Beit Halochem’s help, I’m getting my life back. Nothing can stop me.
Michelle Rukovitzin
HAGAY DAGAN
With the Egoz Special Unit, 22-year-old Hagay Dagan was wounded while defending Kibbutz Be’eri during the Hamas attack. Shot several times, including in the neck, Hagay recalls,
It was like I was drowning. I wanted to get my head above water but someone was holding my head under.
Initially treated in the field, his serious injuries necessitated quick evacuation to Soroka Hospital where he was rushed into emergency surgery. In a coma for three days, he woke up unable to move his right arm or speak. Over the next eight months, he underwent multiple surgeries. Today, beyond his physical injuries, Hagay suffers with memory loss.
During his hospitalization, Hagay was visited by Beit Halochem members who told him of the organization.
On his discharge, he started intense rehabilitation at Beit Halochem Tel Aviv where gym workouts augment physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and occupational therapy treatments. Hagay also enjoys participating in Young Veterans Club activities
