Wounded Golani Fighter Launches Food Initiative Supporting Thousands of Soldiers

Nadav Borai, a 23-year-old Golani Brigade soldier who was wounded and discharged from the army before the outbreak of the war on October 7, found himself struggling emotionally as his comrades were deployed to the Gaza front while he remained at home. Motivated by frustration and a desire to contribute, Borai and his family started a food distribution initiative called "Lev Ohev" (Loving Heart), which has grown to provide thousands of meals weekly to soldiers.

Borai recounted his injury that occurred during his service in the 12th Battalion, which forced him to leave combat duty at age 19 with a medical profile 21. When the war began, he felt a deep anguish watching his friends go to battle while he was sidelined. This emotional turmoil inspired him to create meals, initially simple "challah schnitzel" dishes, for the fighters, which expanded into a large-scale operation delivering up to 2,400 meals per week.

Currently, Borai volunteers as the manager of the "Lev Ohev" association and leads the "The Way Home" project, aimed at supporting soldiers' mental health and reintegration after combat. He emphasized the psychological challenges many reservists face returning from the battlefield, noting that many feel their minds remain in Gaza. Borai called on the public to assist in this moral duty and invited people to visit the "Hug the Soldiers" website to learn more and support the initiative.

Borai’s story highlights the personal and communal efforts to support Israeli soldiers during a critical time, demonstrating how those unable to fight on the front lines can still make a significant impact from the home front.