"Here for them": the embrace that the battle blow received and warmed the hearts of many casualties

Only 26 years after the trauma he went through in his military service in Lebanon, Avraham Danenberg finally began a healing process.

His difficult story was revealed this year with the resurgence of the IDF disabled protest, and he began to receive recognition and assistance.

Eli Ashkenazi

22/01/2022

Saturday, 22 January 2022, 12:30 Updated: 12:31

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"It happened on the day Rabin and King Hussein made peace," Avraham Danenberg recalled. That holiday when the Prime Minister of Israel and the King of Jordan met on the White House lawn and announced the end of the conflict between the countries, Abraham's life was turned upside down and he sank into the abyss.

After 26 years of a life mask of pain and suffering, Abraham has in the past year experienced a process of healing in dealing with a post-traumatic experience from his combat service; On that festive day in Washington, July 25, 1994, Danenberg and his platoon members from the 202nd Paratroopers Regiment were stationed at the Galgalit post in southern Lebanon, between the border and the Beaufort post. Just as the festive ceremony began, Hezbollah launched a large-scale offensive that also included firing anti-tank missiles and mortar shells at a Givati ​​convoy.

The post commander, Lt. Shai Wolstein, went up to the position and aimed a range at the fire sources, to rescue the attacked convoy.

After doing so, a Sagar missile was hit and killed.

"Since that day I have been a different person," says Avraham.

"One child, the good boy, stayed in Lebanon, was buried with Shai. The other boy, the bad boy, continued to walk, serve and then returned to Israel."

He describes a period of severe outbursts of rage, in one of them towards a military policeman who demanded a certificate of enlistment from him, when he returned from Lebanon.

The certificate was not with him and the encounter escalated into violence.

"My head was on a roller coaster, not at Haifa Central Station," he explains.

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Decided to give a hug to the battle shocks.

Danenberg (Photo: Eli Ashkenazi)

After three years of compulsory service he was discharged and ostensibly went on with his life, also getting married and having a child. But seven years ago it collapsed. He was severely depressed, unable to fall asleep at night and did not get out of bed. His life crumbled. He says that he harmed his relatives and loved ones the most - his wife, son and parents.

They found it difficult to help him and saw him in pain and suffering. At that time he was not yet recognized as an IDF invalid suffering from post-trauma, and was recognized only by Social Security. At the height of the crisis he left everything and went to Eilat, where he set up a tent on the beach, "where I finally managed to fall asleep. The water calmed me down. "

But Abraham, who admits that he was then a difficult man who often confronted the people of the arms of the law, set up the tent in a place where the public was forbidden to do so. "Above the tent was a sign - 'Tents are not allowed here,'" he recalled with a smile. The enforcement commissioner on behalf of the municipality probably arrived at the scene. "His name was Doron. At the beach everyone knew he was not messed with. He was dismantling tents and sukkot set up. He was a man considered on the beach as someone not sympathetic and on the other hand I was then on the edge, after two suicide attempts," he said. According to the expected script, the meeting between the two was supposed to end badly.

But something different happened there.

"Doron stood in front of me and probably saw something different, different. He decided he would not turn to me, even though he was required to do so."

Since that meeting, Doron started the day by visiting Avraham, in a tent, with a cup of hot coffee he had brought him.

"He just came to talk to me, to make me happy. It all happened while I was at a breaking point, right in hell. Suddenly someone saw me and hugged me. I felt that someone saw my suffering and that I did not want to disturb and hurt others. From that hug, hope arose."

"The good boy stayed in Lebanon, the bad boy returned to Israel."

Danenberg during military service (Photo: courtesy of the photographers)

After Itzik Saidian set himself on fire in front of the offices of the Ministry of Defense's Rehabilitation Division, and a protest erupted from reservists, victims of post-trauma, Avraham's story was revealed by journalist Lee Naim. He was recognized as an IDF invalid and began to receive help and rehabilitation assistance.

The change he began to go through and the hope that arose in him thanks to the hug he received on the beach in Eilat made him want to give such a hug to young guys who experience similar difficulties following post-trauma. A hug and help to anyone who needs it, unconditionally. "

He decided to set up a warm corner where those young people could find a place to rest, eat, sleep and get a hug. To that end, he looked for a place where he could fulfill his plan. "Only a source of water gives me peace." Such a place has not been found, "but I felt it was not really necessary because the source of water that comes from love and goodness is actually within me. I started to open up to the world ",said.

The residential complex for combat casualties in the "Ohel Avraham" (Photo: Eli Ashkenazi)

During his search, he arrived at an abandoned and neglected compound on the edge of the Golani Interchange.

In the past, there was a buffet for the soldiers who operated the "aunts" of the Committee for the Soldier.

After the construction of the large interchange, at the site of the congested junction, the buffet no longer stood on the edge of the junction and became useless, as did a nearby hut that served as an information station and a shop for hiking equipment.

"I was referred to the Lower Galilee Regional Council, so that I could ask them for permission to accept the place. I went into the council offices and in my old pattern, I demanded the place firmly."

Again someone stood in front of him who understood him and simply replied that he would get the key to the compound.

The residential complex for combat casualties in the "Ohel Avraham" (Photo: Eli Ashkenazi)

He saw that the world wanted to help him and embrace him.

"The Lower Galilee Regional Council and the head of the council, Nitzan Peleg, are also helping me. Adi Strauss also accompanies and supports the project, and the Beitili company donated furniture," he says happily.

The neglected and crumbling place that was covered with thorns became a warm corner for the soldiers passing by.

A hot and cold drinking corner awaits them and Avraham offers food to anyone interested.

He called the place "Abraham's Tent."

Recently, with the help of volunteers, the wooden huts are being renovated and Avraham is designating them as a place to stay and rest for young people suffering from post-trauma.

"I do not ask those who come for questions and do not judge them. I give shelter, food and a hug. The post-traumas are transparent, I want them to feel that there are those who see and understand them. I know they have a long way to go. If they want to build a desire to start In it, I am here for them. "

"Suddenly I have a father and mother, a family, a child who is proud of me."

Danenberg and visits the Abraham Tent (Photo: courtesy of the photographers)

The story of the place is spread by word of mouth and people have already started coming to it.

Professionals joined the venture and began to come to the place and donate - a barber, a beautician, alternative therapists.

Avraham dreams of turning his corner into a place where he will provide help to anyone who needs it.

"Whoever needs to can celebrate a bar mitzvah for his child or a wedding here and everything for free."

He happily recounts that parents of Golani fighters who come to the nearby Golani Museum, for the bereavement ceremony of the beret journey, are already coming to him to rest and wait until their sons finish the journey.

During the meeting with him, several soldiers arrived at the scene.

Abraham hurried to prepare food and hot drinks for them.

In another corner sat his parents, his ex-wife and his son talking.

"I once hurt them. Suddenly I have a father and mother, a family, a child who is proud of me," he said, adding: "Abraham who was in Lebanon came back and I keep my oath to Shai that I will never part from him."

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