Tzahi Calderon - Seville marathon with TIKVOT

Moving Forward Hello, My name is Tzahi Calderon, husband of Reut and father to Yuval, Amit, and Aviv. I am an armored corps reserve officer in Battalion 8104. On October 7, like many others, I found myself leaving home and reporting for reserve duty. Very quickly I stepped into the role of the battalion’s Fire Support Coordination Officer, a key position responsible for planning, coordinating, and operating all supporting fire assets during combat. The role required making decisions under pressure and carrying significant responsibility, with every decision having a direct impact on the forces in the field, and at times on human lives. I found myself in a role I had not been fully trained for and was required to learn on the move during wartime. More than once I asked myself whether I was truly capable of meeting the challenge, but like many of my fellow reservists, I simply kept moving forward because there was no other option. Even before the war, I was selected as an Outstanding Officer of Division 99 for 2023, but nothing prepared me for the level of responsibility that awaited me later that year. Even today, more than two and a half years after the war began, the service has not truly ended. Like many reservists, I live between worlds. Between home and uniform, between family and missions, between routine and unexpected call ups. This reality affects not only me, but also Reut, our children, and our entire family. It was during this time that I rediscovered running. What began as physical training became a place of balance, resilience, and strength. A space where I can breathe, think, process, and keep moving forward even when the weight on my shoulders is not always visible. Recently, I was accepted into a special program for reservists that combines personal development, professional guidance, and training toward a meaningful goal. As part of the program, I committed to raising 25,000 NIS to support the continued work of Tikvot, an organization that helps reservists strengthen personal resilience, navigate the challenges of service, and grow in its aftermath. I invite you to join me on this journey and stand with me at the starting line. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help me reach this goal and provide strong support along the way. Beyond the amount itself, it will remind me that we do not run alone, that we are surrounded by a community that believes in mutual responsibility, support, and the ability to rise, grow stronger, and keep moving forward. I run for me, for Reut, Yuval, Amit, and Aviv, and for everyone who continues to carry the weight of service long after returning home. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, trust, and partnership. Tzahi Calderon Fire Support Coordination Officer Battalion 8104