From Near Tragedy to Triumph: The Inspiring Journey of Amichai Schindler

While chatting with Amichai Schindler during his commute, it’s hard to believe he’s only partially through his recovery. Despite losing most fingers on his left hand, he’s living independently: driving, cooking, washing dishes, even bathing his kids. Amichai, 35, lives with his wife Avital and their six children in Kibbutz Kerem Shalom near Gaza. He works as a social worker in a local high school. Our conversation isn't something to be taken for granted. He survived a brutal attack on *Simchat Torah*, narrowly avoiding death as medical professionals almost gave up on him. "Great Miracles" What brought a traditional family to a secular kibbutz? Amichai explains that eight years ago, the kibbutz decided to create a mixed community of religious and secular people. "We're all descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, after all," he says, and they work hard, with patience and humility, to find common ground. In 2016, the Schindlers moved from Elon Moreh to Kerem Shalom. They embraced kibbutz life, even with the frequent gunfire. "The morning of *Simchat Torah* began with prayers and *kiddush*, with mortars echoing in the background," recounts Amichai. "We hoped it would end soon, unaware of the terrorists’ infiltration. Unbeknownst to them, their relative calm was part of the miracles surrounding that day. Thirty terrorists stormed the kibbutz, with 200 more nearby. They caused chaos but, thankfully, didn’t succeed in causing casualties, due to the valor of the security response team," he reflects. "One team member told me, ‘Every time we fought, Hashem was with us’. At 10 AM, terrorists breached the Schindler home. Disguised as IDF soldiers, they demanded entry into the safe room where Amichai and his family were huddled. When Amichai refused to open the door, they detonated an explosive, injuring him severely. Swift action by the response team prevented the terrorists from entering and engaged them outside. Two of Amichai’s close friends, response team members Amichai Yitzan and Yedidia Raziel, lost their lives. During treatment, Amichai lost consciousness, and his memory erased the traumatic moments. A couple from the kibbutz risked their lives to administer first aid amid the firefight. "‘I couldn’t stand by knowing there was a fellow Jew in need,’ the man later told me, reflecting on the Talmudic teaching of not standing by a neighbor's blood. They moved Amichai to the kibbutz office, where a visiting doctor improvised a clinic, saving his life again. "Some medical staff identified me as deceased in certain stages," he recalls. After losing much blood and with little hope of survival, he was airlifted to the hospital. "Whoever decided to help, thank Hashem they did, because I’m still here," Amichai smiles. "We Weren’t Supposed to Be Here" For a week, Amichai remained sedated and on life support. When he awoke, he was unable to comprehend or communicate his trauma. His wife reassured him, "We’ve been given a gift — life itself." She felt their survival signaled unfinished business in this world. An emotional anchor throughout the ordeal, Avital bolstered her children’s spirits with *Tehillim* prayers, fortifying them against shock and fear. As Amichai started reclaiming fragments of his life, his family gradually revealed the extent of his injuries. Initially unaware of losing his dominant hand, he faced the news with his family’s support, amidst rehab and a shattered home. He later learned of his friends’ passing. Their children were eager to return to Kerem Shalom, cherishing the familiar trails and friendships despite ongoing military tensions. Through determination and faith, Amichai regained his independence. His prosthetic right hand and two remaining left fingers allow him to carry out daily tasks, affirming, "If you believe in your goals, you’re capable." Reflecting on the past, Amichai finds purpose in adversity, driven by his faith’s resilience. He emphasizes life’s unpredictability, urging to focus on positive aspects, fostering a cycle of goodness. "Every day, we choose to see life’s positives. It’s a lesson applicable to everyone in their struggles."