On February 11th, our lives changed in an instant. My partner Zvika suffered a devastating fall down a flight of stairs, hitting his head with tremendous force. He lost consciousness immediately and was rushed to the ICU, where he remained in a coma for over two weeks. Zvika sustained multiple traumatic injuries: five broken ribs, a punctured lung, a severe brain injury that required a drainage tube, a fractured inner ear bone, and pneumonia. The days that followed were filled with fear and uncertainty, as I watched him fight for his life and leaned on the support of close friends to get through each moment.

After the ICU, Zvika spent another six weeks in the hospital, mostly asleep and unable to eat or speak. Last week, he was transferred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation. While this is a step forward, his recovery is still in its early stages. Zvika is healing from significant brain trauma, is not yet coherent, and cannot walk independently. He lost about 40 lbs and remains very weak. Doctors estimate it may take three to six months for his brain to heal, and he recently suffered another fall at the facility, which was terrifying and could have set back his progress.

The care team has strongly recommended hiring a private caregiver to stay with Zvika during the day to ensure his safety and support his healing. Without this help, he is at real risk of falling again. The cost of a caregiver, along with mounting medical expenses, is overwhelming. We are reaching out with humility and hope—any contribution, no matter the amount, will help protect Zvika during this critical stage and give him the best chance to heal. Sharing this fundraiser with your friends or on social media would also mean so much. Thank you for your kindness, your support, and for being part of our community during this incredibly difficult time. With deep gratitude, Rivka