Dear Klal Yisroel,

Yehudim yakarim, this week the entire nation held its breath as our hostages finally returned. We watched their reunions. We cried tears of relief and we thanked Hashem for miracles.

But there’s something most people don’t know about the soldiers who made this possible.

My name is Shaul. I’m 28 years old, married with two young kids. Before October 7th, I worked in marketing and ran my son’s basketball chug (club) on Thursday afternoons. I had never fired a weapon outside of basic training.

On October 8th, I got the call. By October 10th, I was in Gaza.

I’m not going to describe what I saw there. I can’t. Every time I try to talk about it, the words get stuck. My therapist says that’s normal for trauma. Except I can’t afford a therapist anymore. After months away, I came back to bills I couldn’t pay and a job that gave my position to someone else.

Here’s what I will tell you: I haven’t had a full night’s sleep since November. My hands shake when I hear fireworks. Last week at my daughter’s birthday party, I had to lock myself in the bathroom because the noise was too much. She’s five. She doesn’t understand why Abba keeps leaving the room.

My wife found Shomrei Yisroel through another soldier’s wife. She told me they help with therapy costs. I almost didn’t call — I’m supposed to be the strong one, you know? But then my son asked me, “Abba, why do you look scared all the time?”

That’s when I picked up the phone. When the representative from Shomrei Yisroel answered, I felt the relief wash over me. Thank you to each and every one of you who are making this possible for me and my family!!