Support Alona and Eitan’s Wedding. A New Beginning in Israel

Love stories don’t always begin in easy times. For Alona and Eitan, their paths crossed during one of Israel’s hardest moments — the Iron Swords war. What followed was a journey of faith, perseverance, and love that will soon bring them under the chuppah. Finding your soulmate is always a blessing. But in Alona and Eitan’s story, there were so many obstacles and unexpected turns that the fact they are now preparing to stand under the chuppah feels nothing short of a miracle. Alona is a gentle Ashkenazi woman from snowy Russia. Eitan is a proud Sephardi, a true son of the land of Israel, who grew up in the moshav of Einav on the Golan Heights. Their paths crossed in the middle of the “Iron Swords” war. Alona made aliyah just two and a half years ago. She left behind her family, friends, familiar streets, and her home. She arrived in Israel with nothing more than two suitcases, $200, and a dream of building a new life. She faced Hebrew classes, bureaucracy, and the challenges of starting over — and she decided to serve in the IDF. By age, Alona was no longer required to enlist, but for her it was a matter of principle. It took time and determination, but she finally succeeded and received her draft notice. Just days before her enlistment, and just days before Eitan left for reserve duty, they met — a moment that would change their lives. “I knew right away,” Eitan recalls. “The first time I saw her, I told myself: this is my future wife.” From that day, their lives ran in parallel but apart. She traveled back to Russia to visit her parents, he went to Gaza. She trained at Michve Alon, he fought on the northern border. Calls were rare, visits impossible. And yet — they never stopped thinking of each other. A year later, Eitan proposed, and Alona said yes. Today, Alona is still serving in the IDF, working in the Air Force printing division. Eitan is again in reserve duty, stationed in the north. They dream of starting their life together in Eitan’s moshav. Their wedding is planned for September, in a simple but beautiful spot in the southern Golan Heights. The budget is very limited. Alona has already given up on many traditional things brides usually dream of — a professional makeup artist, hair styling, and more. But there are two things she cannot give up: fresh flowers at her wedding and her parents by her side to walk her to the chuppah “For my parents, flying from Russia to Israel and staying here even for a week is a huge expense. But I dream of them being here with me. That would be the most precious gift of all,” says Alona. Alona and Eitan turned to the Yad Itzhak Foundation for help. And we are turning to you. Together, with every donation — big or small — we can give this young couple the chance to celebrate their wedding with dignity and joy, without the crushing burden of debt. Because couples like Alona and Eitan are the future of Israel. Alona says: “When I came here, I was just a girl, barely able to form sentences in Hebrew. After my army service and meeting Eitan, I grew up. I felt at home, I felt like a Jew, like an Israeli, like a woman who is loved. This is my country. My family. My love. My future. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who chooses to support us — for every shekel, every agorah, and every bit of kindness and hope you give us.” Bank transfer details Registration number: 580599934 Beneficiar: Yad Yitzchok iocei Rusia Address: Harav Moshe Ben Tov 6, Jerusalem, Israel Bank name: Bank Leumi B.M. Branch number: 905 Account number: 67230054 IBAN: IL310109050000067230054 SWIFT: LUMIILITXXX