Sivan Weil Foundation: A Global Effort to Rehabilitate Wounded Soldiers
- Caroline Haïat
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
“Do a lot with the minimum of noise", this was the motto of young soldier Sivan Weil, who was killed in Gaza by a Hamas RPG attack on March 29, 2024. To perpetuate his memory and continue his commitment to the IDF—an institution he loved with boundless devotion—his family created the Sivan Weil Foundation shortly after his death. Thanks to donations, wounded soldiers benefit each year from physical and psychological rehabilitation programs, notably through ski projects, a sport Sivan deeply loved. His mother, Hélène Weil, spoke to us about her son with dignity, humility, and at times humor, revealing the special bond they shared. Today, her husband Julien fights tirelessly to grow the Foundation, which has given new meaning to their life.
“Of course, I want Sivan to be remembered for as long as possible, even though his life was cut tragically short. In just 20 years, he managed to do extraordinary things. He always had a strong sense of collectivism; he loved team sports and from a very young age played football, volleyball, and basketball,” Hélène Weil recalls, speaking with deep emotion about her son.
The Weil family made aliyah from France in 1998. Sivan was born in Tel Aviv in 2003 and grew up in Ra’anana, surrounded by his two brothers, his younger sister, and many close friends. He was part of a tight-knit group of families whose four sons, all born the same year, became inseparable. Shabbat, holidays, vacations, extracurricular activities—shared moments multiplied, forging an unbreakable bond.
IDF: the dream of his life
From a very early age, Sivan developed a passion for the army and dreamed of one thing only: joining an elite unit. Thanks to exceptional physical and mental abilities, he earned his place in the IDF and joined the prestigious Egoz Unit. He embraced this demanding path fully, always placing himself at the service of others. Sivan was profoundly altruistic.
“It was a great source of pride for him. He had a mind of steel—nothing fazed him. He sometimes stayed on base for weeks without coming home on weekends, lifting the spirits of his fellow soldiers and helping them. They nicknamed him ‘the sun,’ partly because he was blond, but mostly because of his radiant energy. He was always joking, always lighting up the path of those around him,”Hélène recalls with nostalgia.
Drawn to field operations and adrenaline, Sivan needed to feel useful—it gave his life meaning. When war broke out on October 7, 2023, he took his mission deeply to heart. “How lucky we are to be in Egoz at a time like this,” he told a friend, proud to fulfill his duty and sensing that his military service had entered an unprecedented chapter. All the while, he constantly reassured his mother, consumed by worry.
On the first day of the war, Sivan fought with his unit to free Kibbutz Kissufim, saving numerous lives. In January 2024, he underwent emergency surgery for appendicitis. One month later, he chose—against all odds—to return to combat to complete his mission. A determination nothing and no one could stop.
On March 29, 2024, Sivan and his team were inside a building in Gaza when they were violently struck by an RPG. He succumbed to his injuries two days later, on March 31, at Soroka Hospital, along with his close friend Alon. The rest of the team survived with severe injuries. Sivan’s organs were donated by his family; today, his heart beats in the chest of a young Arab Christian from the Galilee.
Healing body and mind through extreme sports
One year after the tragedy, several soldiers from Sivan’s unit who were injured in the attack were given the extraordinary opportunity to take part in a ski retreat in Bulgaria, specially organized and funded by the Sivan Weil Foundation in partnership with the Shevet Association. Founded over two decades ago, Shevet’s mission is to support and empower wounded IDF veterans. The soldiers train on a ski simulator in Holon before traveling abroad, accompanied by specialized instructors. The experience is both rare and transformative.
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., they ski intensively—an emotionally and physically demanding schedule that brings them renewed strength and confidence.
“They need to have at least one functioning leg. The strength this gives them is incredible. Skiing is already intimidating when everything works—imagine doing it with a disability. They are extremely well supervised. After one week, they’re skiing down real slopes. They feel capable of overcoming anything and face daily life more easily upon returning home. Most importantly, it motivates them throughout their rehabilitation process. Some even end up skiing independently and sometimes outperform their able-bodied friends,” Hélène explains.
This year, from January 18 to 25, a group of paratroopers who survived Hamas attacks in Gaza will travel to Les Menuires in France.
Transforming injury into collective strength
The Sivan Weil Foundation has committed to funding one rehabilitation trip per year for wounded soldiers. Additional initiatives have emerged, including the sale of wines and beers bearing Sivan’s name for Jewish holidays, with all proceeds donated to the Foundation. A concert attended by over 500 people and various sports tournaments promoting self-transcendence have also been organized in his memory.
On October 31, Sivan’s birthday, more than 200 people gathered to celebrate his life during a memorial walk in the hills of Jerusalem, followed by a picnic. In a different artistic tribute, artist Yoel Benarroche gifted the family a lithograph depicting the “waltz of the angels” alongside a Torah passage dedicated to Sivan. Fifty additional prints are available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Foundation.
Today, the Sivan Weil Foundation continues to grow step by step through fundraising campaigns in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It seeks to expand further and to demonstrate that “the power of the mind gives us the strength to overcome anything”—a message Hélène tirelessly conveys wherever she goes, as Sivan’s voice and legacy, reflecting a belief he never stopped holding onto.
To support the Sivan Weil Foundation:https://sivanweilfoundation.org/notre-focus/
To purchase wines and beers:https://pay.grow.link/d728b36a8ebadcf53fc548879c93107b-MTk5MTgwMAhttps://secure.cardcom.solutions/EA/EA5/Mdfv16el0CJUTpo33l8ew/PaymentSP
Caroline Haïat
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