In the near future, Rukavisin, whose boyfriend recently proposed to her, plans to get back on her feet, literally, and tell the whole world her story.

JNS also met with the family and friends of Maj. (res.) Yedidia Bloch, who died from injuries sustained on the battlefield in Southern Lebanon, and whose organs were donated to save seven lives. “I was one of them,” Meytal Finder Izhak told JNS. “I received half of his liver; the rest was given to a boy. It saved our lives. It shows that something good can come out of even the most horrible and painful things.” Yedidya’s two-week-old son was on stage when his father’s certificate was presented to the family.

Also honored were Yair Wisner, a member of the civilian defense squad of Kibbutz Kerem Shalom, who was seriously injured by an RPG on Oct. 7, as well as Ben Ladani, a member of the IDF’s Oketz canine unit, who enlisted from South Africa and was wounded in Jabalia. His dog perished in battle.

Zohar Kochavi, who survived the Supernova music festival but was wounded twice during his reserve service, was also honored, along with Rimon Kedem, an 18-year-old resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, who survived the Oct. 7 invasion after his house was set on fire.