Ephraim Seidman and his wife Bunny Wilks are dear Friends of the Israel Guide Dog Center. As soon as the war broke out, Ephraim came to Israel to volunteer and help out. He has become a valued member of our staff from early morning to night shifts in our kennels. In his words:

I awoke on the morning of 7 October while on vacation to a notification that there had been 20 Israelis killed by Hamas terrorists on the Gaza border. The news only got worse. Then, the question was what can I do to help.

Like many of you, I reached out to friends and family to check on everyone. But I couldn’t be on vacation when Israel was under attack, so we returned to our home in Richmond, Virginia.

We have a strong relationship with the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind in Beit Oved, having raised two dogs for them. It quickly became apparent they were in need of volunteers. Shortly after Hashabbat Hashahchorah (Black Saturday, what they are calling it in Israel) EL Al was the only airline flying to Israel and miluimnikim (IDF reservists) got priority. Shortly thereafter I was able to get on a flight and have now been volunteering and living at the Center for over a month.

I am taking care of two dogs – one an older Guide Dog that just needs to lose weight and the second a dog that was scheduled to be placed with a person that is blind/sight impaired before the war, but now that course has been delayed and the dog needs some extra support. I am now also the go-to person that staff comes to if they need something done today. Like NOW. For instance running dog food, or medication, to a client. Or taking one of our clients to a doctor’s appointment or to the hospital. I have also become the staff photographer, documenting events with our puppies and our peeps.

My first trip to Israel was after the Yom Kippur War to volunteer on Kibbutz Dorot. I always thought that was likely one the most important things I did as it had an important trajectory on my life. Now, fifty years later, here I am again. I just had to come volunteer and do what I could.

Back in the US, please continue to put pressure on our elected officials to continue support for Israel. We need it now more than ever. Also, monitor the press and keep after them to be fair and balanced. Together we will win. ביחד ננצח