"Falling in Love Beyond Injuries: The Matchmaking Project Inspiring Everyone"

Rachel Hominer, a matchmaker and founder of 'The Well' website, receives numerous calls and messages daily, but the one from a woman introducing herself as Orith, a mother of two soldiers injured in battle, pierced through her routine and touched her deeply.

"Orith spoke about a group of mothers of wounded soldiers seeking matchmaking advice," Rachel recalls. "We had a joint meeting where it became evident these mothers, united since their sons' injuries, supported each other in various ways. During one conversation, the topic of matchmaking arose, along with a shared worry: 'What girl would want to marry our sons?'"

"With optimism and faith, the mothers decided to reach out to quality single women, and thus 'Iron Connections' was born. We set up a special site for matchmaking registration, and the outcome has been astonishing and continuously surprising us all."

Osnat Even-Tzur, the initiator

"Who Would Marry Them?"

Meet the project's initiator, Osnat Even-Tzur from Kiryat Ata, a mother of eight, five of whom are married. Five of her sons and sons-in-law fought in Gaza; her son Dvir and a son-in-law were injured there, Dvir's injury being severe.

"Dvir entered Gaza shortly after the war began," Osnat recounts. "He had pneumonia but joined his fellow fighters regardless. A few days after the ground invasion, late at night, we got a call from an unknown number. Our hearts sank; it felt like a military call, but who among our five sons and sons-in-law?"

"Answering, we heard Dvir say he was hurt and 'his shoulder hurt a bit.' Dvir was hospitalized in the south; we had a nearly two-hour drive. We found him in bed, in pain, asking us to 'pray for the hostage rescue mission's success.' We later learned Dvir had been part of rescuing captives Lois Herr and Fernando Merman. He was crushed by a tank, miraculously found before it killed him. His collarbone and ribs were broken; his entire upper body was crushed."

"Dvir recovered at home for four months, then insisted on returning to Gaza to fight. He entered Khan Yunis and fought there, without communication, like his siblings-in-law. Then another call came; Dvir was in worse pain, unable to speak. A nurse at Hadassah Ein Karem took the phone: 'Your son is injured, come to Hadassah.'"

"I got to the hospital as they took Dvir to surgery," Osnat recalls. "I had a quick moment to kiss him before the operation. Waiting outside with another officer's family was tense. After a long while, a doctor informed me Dvir was 'a hair's breadth' from losing a leg."

"It turned out another miracle had occurred; the bullet that hit Dvir went through his thigh, exited, and struck another officer. Dvir's wound was severe, yet they found a way to save his leg, stabilizing it with screws and pins."

"Despite the good news, I was deeply pained. Dvir's condition was severe, uncertain if he'd walk again. While I sat, my shoulder was held by my oldest son, a company commander granted special leave to join me. 'Mom,' he said, 'your son was wounded fighting for this land.' His simple words conveyed it all; we were experiencing something truly profound. It was a wound for the sake of the Jewish people."

"Dvir spent a long time in intensive care, followed by rehab. Now, a year later, he uses crutches, managing with a slightly shorter leg and limited arm movement from his first injury. *Baruch Hashem*, he's alive and walking, or as the rabbi said, 'Hashem gave you reminders there’s still work for you to do in this world.'"

Osnat Even-Tzur with her son Dvir

"Not a Compromise, But a Privilege"

Osnat notes that when Dvir was hospitalized, she connected with many mothers of injured soldiers. "In one meeting, a mother raised the question: 'Who would want to marry our sons?' I replied, 'What do you mean? There are special girls who'd certainly want to.' I said this with firm belief that Hashem manages the world, ensuring these noble soldiers meet worthy partners."

Osnat wasn't idle; she and friends approached matchmaker Rachel Hominer to manage the project. "We've also involved Chaya Maman, who runs a coaching school, assisting couples transitioning from singlehood."

In theory, it sounds wonderful, but in practice, are there women open to dating injured soldiers?

"It's not just theory, but a reality," affirms Rachel. "We launched a special page with registration links for warriors and for women wanting to meet soldiers wounded in war. The numbers are staggering – around 700 women signed up, fully aware of the challenges, eager to meet these men."

"Personally, I've spoken with many women who told me: 'I'm aware of the difficulties, but if he's healthy in spirit and mind, with a positive outlook and good personality, I'm open to it.' They added: 'I don't mind if he's missing an eye, a hand, or is disabled – if he's functioning mentally and communicative, I want to meet him.' They see it not as charity, but as a privilege. Of course, it's understandable if it's not for everyone. Each acts according to what suits her. Our registered women span ages, religious levels, and statuses, creating a diverse pool of opportunities."

How do the injured soldiers react?

"They're deeply touched by the idea itself, and the fact that it's free with matchmakers visiting hospitals to meet them. They want to be seen not just as 'wounded soldiers', but as the people they are."

We asked each to provide a picture from before and after injury, so women see not just the injury but the person he was before."

"I stress to women: 'Don't see this as a rehabilitation project. You’re not his therapist, doctor, or social worker. You’re meeting your life partner, coming from a place of internal connection, understanding the complexity, but being ready for a mutual giving and receiving."

Osnat adds: "I'm not claiming it's simple; there are many challenges. But as the granddaughter of Rabbi Gatz from the Western Wall, I was taught that the Jewish people aren’t afraid of long journeys. This project reflects just that – the enemies aimed to annihilate us, but we respond by building homes and families. This is the truest answer we can give, proving Am Yisrael Chai."