Nefesh B'Nefesh

Olim Al-HaKvish 🚙 🇮🇱 🛣️

Nearly 100 Olim came through our offices this past month to convert their driver's licenses to drive in Israel.

In partnership with the משרד התחבורה והבטיחות בדרכים, Olim from all countries submitted their documents on the spot, no extra appointments, no running between offices.

Good turnout, good energy, and a lot of people leaving with one less thing on their list.

This service runs monthly. July date coming soon, visit this link: https://www.nbn.org.il/events/olim-al-hakvish-drivers-license-conversion-for-olim/ for more updates!

In Memory of Phyllis Heimowitz, z”l BDE 🕯️

We mourn the passing of Phyllis Heimowitz, co-founder of the organization that gives bereaved partners of fallen IDF soldiers a place to grieve and be recognized. In 2024, she received the Sylvan Adams Nefesh B'Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize for community and non-profit.

Born and raised in New York, Phyllis earned an MA in Education from City College and was active in the Betar youth movement, where she met her husband, Yitzhak. The couple made Aliyah in 1968 with their son, Daniel, and went on to raise two daughters, Tamar and Michal, in Israel.

A lifelong educator, Phyllis worked as a second-grade teacher and reading specialist, and later taught English to senior IDF officers preparing for international postings. In 1997, her daughter Michal's fiancé, Lt. Avi Book, was killed in Lebanon. Out of that loss, Phyllis and her daughter Tamar founded what became A Partner Left Behind, the only organization in Israel supporting the unmarried partners of fallen soldiers, the "widows without a ring" long overlooked by the state.

The work she began in 1998 has since reached hundreds of grieving partners, and helped change IDF protocol to acknowledge them.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all those who were touched by her extraordinary life. May her memory be a blessing.