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Their initial target was 1.5 million shekels, but the response was swift and overwhelming: more than 13,800 individuals donated within a day.
By Shula Rosen
In a powerful show of solidarity, friends and supporters of Ofer Calderon, a father of four and former Hamas hostage, raised over NIS 3 million (about $900,000) in just 24 hours to help him rebuild his life.
The fundraiser, launched Friday under the banner “Ofer Just Wants to Return to Life”, was organized by Calderon’s close friends and cycling group “The Smurfs,” alongside the nonprofit Lehoshit Yad.
Their initial target was NIS 1.5 million, but the response was swift and overwhelming: more than 13,800 individuals donated within a day.
Calderon, 54, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, along with his 16-year-old daughter Sahar and 12-year-old son Erez.
The three had tried to escape by fleeing through a window and hiding in nearby bushes.
Hamas gunmen eventually found them, beat Calderon, and dragged him and the children into Gaza separately.
He was held captive for 484 days. In a post describing his ordeal, Calderon said he endured “hunger, violence, and a constant fear that I’d never get the chance to tell my children how much I love them.”
Since his release in February, Calderon has lived in temporary housing in Kiryat Gat.
His carpentry shop — his livelihood — was destroyed in the attack. Deeply traumatized, he has been unable to return to work or his home community.
“I’ve lost everything — my shop, my routine, even the ability to do simple things like ride a bike,” he shared. “But I’m determined to find a way to feel like a father again — someone who can protect his children.”
The funds raised will help cover housing, therapy, and the creation of a new carpentry business.
“We refuse to watch him fade away,” his cycling group wrote. “He stood tall through captivity. Now it’s our turn to stand by him.”
All proceeds are being managed by Lehoshit Yad, with every shekel going directly to Calderon’s recovery. Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too! Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion. Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
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