Week of August 25, 2026
Soldier’s Organ Donation Saves Six Lives
Israel Defense Forces Sergeant First Class Shahar Gamla was wounded in Lebanon by an explosive drone in June and passed away. Gamla’s family decided to donate his organs, which saved six other people. His liver went to a seven-year-old girl who was born with a rare genetic congenital syndrome and was on the transplant list for six months. His donation saved Bel Finkelstein; she has recovered well from the surgery and was recently discharged.
Gamla’s parents visited Bel and her parents at the hospital. “I have no words to adequately thank Shahar’s precious parents, who, from the absolute depths of their bereavement, chose to grant life to my daughter,” Bel’s mother said. “It is such a noble and extraordinary act.”
Dr. Michael Gurevich, head of the Liver Transplantation Unit at Clalit-Schneider, commented, “This is an extraordinarily complex and difficult emotional situation, even for us in the operating room. It is hard to put into words the thoughts and feelings during an event like this.”
“I am profoundly grateful to the family for their noble decision to donate his organs,” Dr. Gurevich continued. “The realization that this soldier saved lives both in his duty and in his passing weighs heavily on our hearts. We are deeply thankful for the privilege granted to us to save human lives.”
Please pray for Gamla’s family who are mourning his loss and for little Bel’s recovery and the other organ recipients from Shahar Gamla.
Israeli Response Service Trains Synagogue Security Teams
Recently, the trainers of the Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s Red Cross and mass-casualty response service, came to the USA to train volunteer synagogue security teams. These initiatives were designed to strengthen the preparedness and resilience of American Jewish communities by sharing lessons learned from Israel’s extensive experience responding to terrorist attacks, mass-casualty incidents, and other emergencies.
Those trained were taught how to apply tourniquets, stop bleeding, and triage injuries all the while still under a ‘hot’ zone of an active shooter or multiple shooters and an unsafe environment. Until the police and ambulance arrive, the synagogue security teams are the first to help the injured.
“What we learned from past terror attacks is that it takes time for the EMTs, even police, or if it’s a fire department, to come on the scene, and even if they come, if the scene is still hot, they won’t engage,” Benjamin Erbs, CSS’s senior vice president for training and security, said in an interview. “That means you, as the security personnel, are left with the situation on hand and you don’t have help at the beginning.”
The trainees are not taking a first aid course. Aryeh Myers, one of the MDA trainers, said, “You’re not going to learn how to do CPR. We’re going to be learning how to deal with a multi-casualty or a mass casualty situation with the bare minimum of pairs of hands and a lot, a lot of people who need help.”
Please pray for safety in Jewish neighborhoods and institutions in the USA. In the event of terrorism, please pray for skills, quick responses, and safety for those who might be targeted.
Fallen IDF Soldier Returned to Israel After 44 Years
After falling in the battle of Sultan Yacoub during the First Lebanon War on June 11, 1982, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Staff Sergeant Yehuda Katz has been returned to Israel after 44 years. He had been listed as missing in action, while his parents were kept informed over the years of any efforts to locate and return him.
For decades, the IDF had been collecting information on his possible whereabouts. Military intelligence, along with operational units of the Mossad, Shin Bet, and the IDF Personnel Directorate, was able to precisely locate him.
“Decades have passed, but our duty to our fallen has not changed. We will not leave any of our people behind,” IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said, referring to Katz. “Today we return Yehuda to burial in Israel, to his family and to his country, and close a painful circle that began more than four decades ago. . . . It is a significant moment for the IDF and the State of Israel.”
The other soldiers who were killed in action were returned to Israel in 2019 and 2025.
Please pray for the safety and protection of all IDF soldiers.
Three Generations
Our staff in Jerusalem want to share a story of ministry spanning three generations of one family, each drawn to Jesus, their Messiah.
“Many years ago, we met a Holocaust survivor who started coming to our different gatherings. Over time, through our continued sharing the Gospel with her, she came to faith in Yeshua. We have continued our relationship with her for many years. Then something beautiful happened with the next generation. Her daughter began attending our regular women’s meetings.
Both the grandmother and the mother experienced life-changing transformation, and their joy is evident in their desire to follow Jesus. This past summer, we held a variety of children’s and teen camps, and the granddaughter attended the teen camp for the second time. The third generation! She learned more about Jesus through hearing the Word; she participated in both the spiritual meetings and the fun events, and she heard the testimonies of counselors and leaders. At the end of the summer, she gave her life to the Lord.
We are so grateful that we could be a part of her journey—from grandma to mother to daughter. We had no idea that investing, listening, praying, and sharing with one person could affect a whole family. Three generations!”
Please pray with us that as we plant a seed in one person’s life, it might grow and water an entire garden. Pray that more families and generations would be transformed for the Lord, with hearts overflowing with the joy of His salvation!
