In the wake of October 7th, Roi Maimon, a Deputy Company Commander in the Armored Corps, didn’t hesitate. For months, he and his soldiers fought tirelessly in the heart of Gaza, leading critical operations to defend our home.
During a fierce battle in Rafah, Roi’s tank was struck by an RPG. He sustained catastrophic injuries across his entire body, including a severe spinal cord injury. In those dark and difficult days in the hospital, the future was uncertain.
The Road to Recovery
A few months into his rehabilitation, Roi joined our BFL family. Despite the physical challenges, with the help of our BFL scholarship program, Roi returned to study engineering at the university.
Life didn’t stop for Roi. A few months ago, he proposed to his partner, Hillel. They planned their dream wedding for March 4th, just two days ago. However, the missiles coming from Iran this week made his wedding almost impossible, as it is too dangerous to have gatherings in most of Israel.
Our Members Step In
The moment we heard the news, our BFL staff and volunteers mobilized. If the hall was closed, we would bring the celebration to life elsewhere. Our team took over the entire logistical operation, ensuring that every detail was covered so that Roi and Hillel could celebrate their special day with the joy and dignity they deserved. We found a place in the South that was safe and built a wedding for Roi and Hillel. It was amazing.
Roi and Hillel’s wedding is the greatest victory possible. This is not just a victory for Roi and Hillel, it’s a victory for all of us.
This is the roar of the Jewish Lion; we don’t just choose Life, we celebrate Life. From lying in the hospital with a spine injury, to studying to become an engineer, to rejoicing under the Chuppah in between missiles, Roi and all of us grow stronger each day. The most unbelievable thing is that in BFL, miracles like this are common occurrences, and it’s a privilege of a lifetime to help Roi turn his sacrifice into a foundation for a beautiful future. We simply cannot thank you enough for helping to make this possible. While this war is far from over, we know the outcome will be bright. The support, community, and togetherness of BFL give us strength and the ability beyond what we thought possible.
Together, we are ensuring that the sound of celebration continues to drown out the echoes of war.
Shabbat Shalom from Israel. We love you all.
Yaniv Leidner
Yaniv is the CEO and co-founder of Brothers for Life, overseeing the organization’s daily operations. He resides in Leshem, Israel, with his wife and their five children.
As a former company commander in the Duvdevan unit, Yaniv served with distinction. On the sixth night of Hanukkah in 2004, during an operation to apprehend a terrorist, he was shot through the hip—a wound that still carries the bullet as a reminder of his sacrifice and resilience.