Protective Gear Campaign

Helmets. Ceramic plates. Vests.

IDF reservists flooded the army with volunteers after October 7th. Overwhelming numbers led to many reservists being supplied antiquated gear — some even receiving helmets and vests dating back decades. The Alevy Family Foundation began buying and delivering modern protective equipment, unit by unit.

A Mother’s Gratitude

My Dear Mr. Alevy, thank you for your donation! They say that you don’t praise a man in his presence, but I feel that you are right here next to me. What can a mother say? You are donating to the safety of our soldiers, and this is an opportunity for me to personally thank you for this very generous and incredible life-saving gift. My son’s life was saved thanks to the ceramic vest you had provided him with. During this horrible missile attack, had he not had these great quality ceramic plates and vest, I truly believe I would not have been in the position to write a thank-you letter. I raised three combat soldiers — even my daughter is one. Some people called me crazy for allowing all three to serve in combat, and I replied: yes, I am crazy. I’m crazy about my people, crazy about Israel. Am Yisrael chai.

— Chana, mother of a proud combat soldier

A Beach in Gaza

A unit of over 80 soldiers was tasked with taking ground in Gaza. With only 35 vests between them, they were severely handicapped. The commander explained that with this limited number of vests, his team would have difficulty completing their mission. Fewer troops on the ground would not only mean fewer soldiers to accomplish their goals, but that these soldiers would be at much greater risk. The next morning the family paid for 44.

We were able to wire the funds to the supplier and equip this unit with the required body armor to put their full complement of troops into the field. The next day we received pictures of the unit on the beach at Gaza.

The Helmet That Saved

This soldier received a new helmet from the Alevy Family Foundation. One week later a terrorist shot him — in the head. His story is in the gallery below.

Old helmet? New? What’s the difference?

Daniel, a helmet specialist from the organization Unit 11741, fired live rounds at an old helmet from 45 meters and at a new tactical helmet at closer range — less than 20 meters — with the same gun. The results are in the gallery below.

Tzur’s Story

Tzur was saved by the vest and ceramic plates he received from the Alevy Family Foundation.

Battalion 9232 — the Netzarim Corridor

Good week. Thanks to the Alevy family for donating the vests. The soldiers in the videos are a bit tired but very grateful.

— From a WhatsApp message sent to Tzion, who along with her husband Menachem spends a great deal of time and energy making sure soldiers have the best gear we can secure. Between missions and through their exhaustion, these soldiers reached out to say thank you. May 2024.

On the Gaza Border — Zikim

On October 7th, Yuval dropped everything, kissed his wife and kids goodbye and hopped on a plane to join his unit in the fight. We met Yuval in January on his way back into Gaza — no small deed, as Yuval had at that time been living the life of a highly successful nightclub owner in London for the previous 20 years.

We were on hand 1,000 feet from Gaza to make sure our soldiers had the protective gear they needed for their mission. Meeting these amazing men just hours before they headed into Gaza was an incredibly uplifting experience. Their upbeat, positive attitude was inspiring and contagious. January 2024. When we last spoke, Yuval told us the antisemitism he and his wife faced in London had convinced them to sell their business and make Israel their permanent home.

Their appreciation is palpable

The soldiers call those of us providing protective gear for them angels. But the true angels are those who daily risk their lives to protect each one of us.