One For Israel

Orit Kashtan: And they say, "You send this love and you remember us." And they wanted to hear. They listened.

Guest (Female): Words cannot describe really what we feel in our hearts for your generosity and love.

Shalom and welcome to another Pod For Israel. Today we have a special guest, Orit Kashtan. Shalom and thank you for coming here. Orit, how has it all happened that you are providing this aid to reservists?

Orit Kashtan: October 7th was so bad for everyone and I think everyone in Israel just wanted to jump and do something. Everyone was like, "Okay, what are we going to do?" Everyone just ran and bought things. They didn't know exactly what to do. I got a phone call from Erez and he said, "Will you please just get it all organized?" I said, "Yes." I was an officer in the army and I have raised three officers and I know people in the army. I knew who to contact.

Guest (Female): Tell us about a special story or a special group of people that you have connected with.

Orit Kashtan: I got a phone call in the second week of October, about ten days into the war. A guy I don't know says, "I don't know if you're the one, but I need help." He told me that their team is already in Gaza and one of the guys is really worried for his wife. She has two babies at home. He asked, "Can you help her?" I asked where she lives and two hours later he said, "Your friend was already there. Thank you so much."

The next day I got a message from someone and he sent me a phone number. He said, "There is a unit, they really need help." I put the phone number in my phone and it's the same guy. I don't know how to explain, but I felt that God really wants us to help this unit. I asked Erez and Dave and said, "I cannot explain. We need to help them." They said, "Go ahead."

We helped them. They needed warm clothes, they needed mattresses, and they needed tools. They used Hummer jeeps. If you get stuck in the middle of Gaza, you're in trouble. They needed these tools to get them out of there very quickly.

Guest (Female): How did they get the supplies? How were you able to pass it on?

Orit Kashtan: Since we are in a war, it's very dangerous to go there. What they used to do was send a truck or a jeep, any kind of army vehicle, to come and get the supply. My house became a warehouse. I think that our neighbors think that Eitan and I work for the Mossad because we used to have so many of these army people coming.

Not only did they come to pick up the supply, we invited them in and just sat with them. It started with coffee and they stayed for sometimes two or three hours just to pour their hearts out. I feel that it's one of the things that we could give more than any other place. There were so many Israelis that wanted to give. They gave mattresses and blankets and it's very important, but we wanted to give them the love of God. We could share it with them and they wanted to hear. They listened.

Dr. Erez Soref: That's clearly just a pre-warning. We can keep going.

Guest (Female): Okay. We see the thirst that they want to listen and I keep praying for them.

Orit Kashtan: One of the things is also that they say, "You saw us, but you saw also our family." We sent presents to the wives, to the children, to say, "We see you. We remember you." They say everyone sends tools, but you send this love and you remember us. I think this is what we are unique in because we know the love of God.

Guest (Female): Because of such an ongoing war and so much battle, many are wounded. One For Israel's hearts have been for the wounded as well. How has it been for you to see the help that came to those that really are struggling day after day to go back to functioning, but with all the disabilities that happened?

Orit Kashtan: I'll tell you about a high commander in the paratroopers. He was wounded by six bullets that got all over his body, especially his right leg. I met him when he was in the hospital and I found out that one thing will help him the most. It would be a smart bike.

It means that he could be released to his house and do the exercises in his living room with a trainer. It helped his breathing and it helped his muscles. He called me a few months ago and he's walking now. Again, what a privilege we had to say, "Thank you for what you did for us."

Guest (Female): Is there still a need?

Orit Kashtan: Yes, there is a need, a lot of needs. I am so thankful and so happy that I get all these phone calls saying, "You're the first that I call for help." The reason is because we are in touch with them through all these three and a half years and they know that they can call us. They know that if we can help, we will help them because we understand the need.

Just think about these soldiers that for 500 days were not at home. They chose not to be at home because they want to help Israel. They need new shoes. We are also going through summer and winter and summer and winter and they need different clothes.

You know what they need? They need someone that listens to them. They say, "We left our wives there. Is there something that you can do for them?" Yes, we do. We remember them and we say, "We love you." We try to help with the needs. Yes, there is a big need. With all the supplies, they need also to hear the hope and love that only we can give them.

Guest (Female): It's very special because most of the time I hear from them, "Don't you want us to send you a video, a thank you video? Don't you just publish what you're doing?"

Orit Kashtan: No, it's not me. It's God. You need to know it's the God of Israel and we serve Him. Because He loves Israel, we serve you. They are very surprised that you are the only one that doesn't demand a video of thank you. No, first it's not me, it's One For Israel. You need to understand we do it because God loves you and we want to show you the love.

Guest (Female): Really, I feel this is a time to say to all our partners and donors, thank you. Thank you for standing with Israel. Words cannot describe really what we feel in our hearts for your generosity and love. Thank you, Orit, for doing such an incredible work and giving your life and time to bless the people of Israel.

Orit Kashtan: Thank you. I'm very thankful for this opportunity and privilege to help.