By David E. Friedman
In early November 2025, five of us traveled from Boca Raton to Israel, including my wife, Melinda, our close friends Debra and Dr. Larry Halperin, and Morgan Pressel, a professional golfer and sports commentator, all of us proud Jews and Zionists.
Our visit to Neve Hanna followed an intense and emotional morning. Our fellow traveler Larry Halperin, a true hero of Am Yisrael, has been traveling back and forth from Boca Raton to Be’er Sheva since the earliest days of the war to perform retina surgery at Soroka Medical Center on injured soldiers and others in need, entirely on a volunteer basis. Earlier that day, Larry arranged for us to tour the building at Soroka, where he had previously worked, which was destroyed by an Iranian ballistic missile in June.
It was from that place of gravity and reflection that we arrived at Neve Hanna, where the focus shifted from emergency care to long-term healing and hope. The experience left a deep and lasting impression on all of us. We were graciously hosted by Antje Naujoks, whose warmth and knowledge helped us truly understand the heart of Neve Hanna.
During our visit, we met with the children during their study time, witnessing firsthand their focus, curiosity, and resilience. We also met with Rabba Liron Rosensaft Levy, whose leadership and presence underscored the depth of care, guidance, and spiritual grounding Neve Hanna provides.
The visit was especially meaningful for Melinda, as her father, Stanley Miller, had been deeply passionate about Neve Hanna and its mission. Visiting this home that held such a special place in his heart was profoundly moving, particularly as Stanley’s first Yahrzeit was approaching.
The visit was also deeply meaningful for me. Following in the path set by my father-in-law and seeing the impact of what he cared so deeply about strengthened my commitment to do as much for Neve Hanna as he did. It reaffirmed how important it is to visit Neve Hanna when in Israel—to see, to understand, and to connect directly with the children and the extraordinary work being done there.
One particularly memorable part of the visit was spending time at the Neve Hanna bakery. Beyond the exceptional quality of its baked goods and other products, the bakery represents creativity, skill-building, pride, and opportunity. We left feeling that it holds tremendous potential—not only as a vocational and educational tool for the children, but also as a powerful way to share Neve Hanna’s story with the wider community.
Throughout the visit, we were inspired by the resilience and spirit of the children and the compassion of the Neve Hanna team. At the same time, we all left with a shared sense that the needs at Neve Hanna will grow dramatically, particularly in light of the profound trauma of the more than two years since October 7. In this context, Neve Hanna’s role in providing stability and healing has never been more essential. Seeing its impact up close strengthened our connection and deepened our commitment to supporting Neve Hanna’s vital work. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to visit and to connect, and we look forward to continuing this meaningful relationship in the years ahead.
Written by David E. Friedman
AFNH Board of Directors
Boca Raton, Florida, United States
November 2025
American Friends of Neve Hanna 