World
The fascinating story of reservist Haim Malespin, who marks 1000 days of reserve service in Gaza and Lebanon
The
fascinating story of reservist Haim Malespin, who marks 1000 days of reserve service in Gaza and Lebanon, while continuing to rebuild the Galilee and build
bridges between Israel and the world
During a particularly difficult and challenging time for the residents of the North in particular and the State of Israel in general, Haim Malespin and his team hosted hundreds of volunteers and goodwill ambassadors from the United States, Canada, France, Malaysia and other countries from around the world at Kibbutz Beit Zera in the Galilee with the aim of supporting and strengthening the State of Israel. The guests and hosts celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence this month, emphasizing the strong connection between Israel and the United States, along with building bridges with other countries around the world. Malespin said that "beyond the festive event, this is an opportunity to strengthen the status of the Galilee as a living, active and significant center of friendship, outreach, volunteerism and partnership between Israel and its lovers around the world
Malspin said that in the past year, about NIS 1 million was invested in Beit Zera in the renovation and expansion of new facilities, including a new, sophisticated media studio that allows the goodwill ambassadors who come to Israel to experience it in a deep and meaningful way. Among other things, the ambassadors who come to the Galilee meet the founders, pioneers, fighters, families, volunteers and community leaders who are actually building the country. According to him, the ambassadors do not only experience Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, but live and stay in the Galilee, near the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River, thus becoming part of the reality in Israel
The ambassadors' program of the "Aliyah Return Center", which Malespin heads, includes a stay of the ambassadors in the Galilee for periods of one to three months. During their stay, they participate In a daily program that includes learning, educational tours, meetings with Israelis and practical volunteer days. Among the activities: assistance to Holocaust survivors, distribution of food packages, support for soup kitchens, assistance to communities in the north, and educational tours aimed at deepening their understanding of Israel, its security, its challenges and mission. The goal of the program, according to Melespin, is to train friends of Israel who do not return to their countries simply as tourists who have visited the country, but as committed, connected and aware ambassadors, who have seen up close the heart of Israel and the people who build it
In parallel with this work, Haim Malespin, 41, this week marked 1,000 days of combat in the reserves in the Yahalam unit of the Combat Engineering Corps. After surviving a battle in Lebanon, he continues to help his wounded comrades, fighters dealing with post-trauma and lone soldiers. As a social activist in the north, Melespin calls on the government to act urgently To help return some 13,000 residents from the settlements on the Lebanese border to their homes
Melespin is a fascinating story of a Zionist who immigrated to Israel from the United States at the age of 15, served in the IDF, and in recent years left his home, wife, and children to enlist in the long-term reserve service. Even after escaping death, he continues to serve with a sense of duty, mission, and faith in the righteousness of the path
About two months ago, Malespin was saved from being hit by a Fajr missile, one of about 380 Fajr rockets, drones, and missiles fired at him and at IDF forces by Hezbollah members south of the Litani. The missile landed about 30 meters away from him. After recovering from the trauma and shock, Melespin rushed to visit his unit members who were injured in that incident in hospitals across the country
Malespin, who, as
mentioned, founded the "Aliyah Return Center " association, which
operates To train ambassadors for Israel, it is reported that the association
has so far trained approximately 35,000 Israel-loving Christians from the
diaspora as good will ambassadors for the State of Israel. Additional details
on the website: https://www.chaimmalespin.com/
According to Malespin,
the government and local authorities in the north must act and return all
residents of the confrontation line to their homes as soon as possible, and
enable the completion of the reconstruction of the north. "It is my duty,
and it is the duty of all of us, to return life in the north to a state of
normal functioning"
Recently, on June 16,
Haim Malespin, who also serves as chairman of the Promised Land Shelter
Association, inaugurated a new community rehabilitation center in Tiberias. The
event took place in a festive ceremony attended by many participants, in the
presence of the Mayor of Tiberias, Mr. Yossi Nevea, who is a partner with the
Tiberias Municipality in the project. The community rehabilitation center is
the result of the initiative and implementation of the Promised Land Shelter
Association. Malespin emphasizes that a dual systemic approach is required:
physical protection for the fighters on the battlefield, and on the other hand,
a shelter to heal the mental wounds of the fighters upon their return from the
front. According to him, "You can't just worry about equipment and
protection. You also need to worry about the soul, the family, and the ability
of the fighters to return to life"
From tactical equipment to deep emotional healing, Melespin uses his media platforms and international connections to mobilize support and financial assistance of millions of shekels from Jews and Christians who love Israel around the world. The assistance is used, among other things, to purchase and distribute thousands of advanced, fire-resistant tactical uniforms for reserve units, as well as to establish the new rehabilitation center in Tiberias, which aims to help soldiers dealing with post-traumatic stress and accompany them in the rehabilitation process
Malespin has also been involved for over 13 years in assisting residents of the north through dozens of projects, associations, charities, and fundraising initiatives. In the past year alone, Melespin and his people have raised about NIS 9 million in donations. This is out of more than NIS 200 million raised by Israel-loving support organizations from communities around the world since the war began on October 7, for projects designed to assist the residents of the State of Israel and strengthen the home front and frontline efforts
For Malespin, his mission connects three central struggles: defending Israel on the battlefield, rehabilitating the fighters and communities that were affected, and building a deep alliance with Israel’s friends around the world. According to him, the north is not marginal to the Israeli story, but is at the heart of the ongoing Zionist story. “It is precisely here, in the Galilee, that you can see Israel as it truly is: struggling, being built, healing, and moving forward
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