Israeli War Veterans Overcome Severe Injuries to Build New Lives and Careers
A group of Israeli war veterans severely wounded in recent conflicts are rebuilding their lives and careers with the support of the construction company Menarv, which actively employs injured soldiers. Eden Bahari, who lost his hand in southern Gaza in November 2023, proposed to his fiancée while still hospitalized and undergoing rehabilitation. He now works as a project manager at Menarv and is expecting a child with his wife. Bahari emphasizes the importance of purpose in recovery, stating that his injury has not diminished his sense of meaning.
Among his colleagues is Matan Levi, a 30-year-old former combat soldier blinded by shrapnel near Kibbutz Nirim. Despite his blindness, Levi completed a legal internship at the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office and now works in Menarv’s legal department, assisted by his brother. Another veteran, Omri Brazel, lost his hand and leg in January 2024 and, after extensive rehabilitation including prosthetics in the U.S., joined Menarv to learn construction site management and aims to compete in the 2028 Paralympics.
Dolev Sela, who lost an eye and suffered severe head injuries from an explosion in Jabalia in October 2024, authored a book about his experience and now works on construction projects, gradually regaining trust and confidence. Aziz Shokurov, a 21-year-old Nahal commando severely injured in January 2025, works closely with Menarv’s CEO and also runs a coffee cart in Be’er Sheva, planning to study business and entrepreneurship.
Menarv CEO Eli Cohen highlights the veterans’ exceptional qualities such as loyalty, professionalism, and resilience, which surpass typical professional skills. He stresses that employing wounded soldiers is not charity but a benefit to the company, as their military experience brings unique strengths. Former paratrooper officer Omri Rozenblit, who lost a leg, serves as assistant to the CEO and leads initiatives to train wounded soldiers for managerial roles, emphasizing that meaningful employment is the final stage of rehabilitation.
The veterans share a common theme: their military leadership and combat experience provide them with determination and teamwork skills that no university can teach. Their integration into civilian work environments not only aids their personal recovery but also positively transforms organizational culture. The article underscores the importance of giving wounded soldiers a purposeful role in society, helping them move beyond victimhood to become valued contributors.
