Brothers of Jonathan provides support to soldiers and their families experiencing early to mid-stage post-trauma symptoms to prevent chronic PTSD
Founders: Anita Shkedi, Shani Shkedi Friends of the charity: Rabbi Michael Boyden, Shahar Swery, Rami Boochnik, Robbie Tzemach, Roi Gazit, Tsafrir Ben-Shlomo.
This dedicated team brings a unique perspective to this charity. They have all personally experienced suffering, whether during active military service or through the loss of a loved one. Their passion to support others facing trauma grew stronger after October 7th, 2023.
Their vision is to empower individuals who have experienced trauma and allow them to transform into their best selves through equine-assisted, trauma-informed care. Their mission is to provide equine-assisted services to soldiers, their families, and any other survivors of the current crisis, as well as those who have been traumatized through previous campaigns. They understand that trauma survivors often suffer in silence and need help. They are keen to offer free support and are determined to provide the appropriate therapy to aid in the healing of physical and emotional wounds resulting from combat stress and exposure to abnormal environments.
Tribute to Jonathan, by Dr. Anita Shkedi
Much of my work with veterans is connected to the memory of my late son Jonathan Boyden.
Jonathan, who was almost twenty years old, died in July 1993. He was a kind and gentle person who was gifted with high intelligence and physical strength. Academically he was a real achiever, he designed his first computer program in his last year of high school. His physical prowess culminated in him achieving track running records and becoming Israel’s cycling champion.
Jonathan joined the Israeli Army and served his country with pride and enthusiasm, always supporting his fellow soldiers, finally to be mortally wounded on a rescue mission in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Jonathan was a fighter and a sniper and was recognized for his bravery.
Always leading from the front, he sat on the outside of his armored vehicle with his guns ready to protect his fellow soldiers inside. In this position he was wounded by a bomb that landed next to his vehicle. Three weeks later he died from traumatic brain injuries.
Off duty, on his few weekends at home, he would visit his unit’s officer who had been severely wounded and left with quadriplegia. He asked me to help in his rehabilitation.
Knowing what Jonathan would have wanted, after his death I went back to work at my therapeutic riding center. On that day, a woman came into the office with her son, a veteran who had been in an ambush. He had a severe traumatic brain injury; she said both her sons had now been injured. It was at that moment that I decided to dedicate my life to helping soldiers returning damaged from the horrors of war.
Jonathan remains with me forever, and this charity is his legacy.