Meet Karmiya, Amiud, and their beautiful boy, Itiel. The Porath’s. 


Amiud had just finished four years of army service. They had just announced the exciting news of their pregnancy to their families before chag. And then, what started as a celebratory Simchat Torah morning, also Amiud’s birthday, became the dreadful day of October 7th.


After finishing his four-year army service, Amiud was already speaking about joining the reserves. Karmiya was on board. When the war began, Amiud was even more determined to join. While awaiting his reservist documents, Amiud and Karmiya contributed by collecting armor and supplies for friends and family to address the shortage. Amiud was then sent up north to the Lebanese border where things were already escalating and later to fight in Gaza.


Amiud was in and out of contact while on missions and Karmiya only knew he’d been fighting in Gaza each time he came out. While he was there, Karmiya was alone, entering her second trimester while being asked to evacuate her apartment. It was an unbelievably difficult situation but she felt G-d’s presence the whole time. At an apartment showing, she discovered that 20 others had also viewed the place that day. Against all odds, it became hers.


“Hashem sorted it out… I felt like He was literally holding my hand the whole way through.” 


Karmiya was not the only one who felt protected. Amiud returned with miraculous stories of near death experiences, recounting the numerous times his life had been spared. ‎“ניסים after ״.ניסים 

Amiud was able to attend his son Itiel’s Brit and Pidyon Haben but returned to the army immediately following both occasions. When Itiel was 2.5 months old, Amiud finally returned to be reunited with his family. Itiel was essentially “meeting” his dad for the first time. It took time to adjust to becoming a family again. 


Amiud doesn’t know whether he will be called back to serve soon, but for now he is enjoying quality time with his beautiful family. Although their journey has been difficult, the Poraths are grateful to have been part of something bigger. 

“It’s a big job. It’s a big sacrifice to do. But it’s a privilege to protect our small and special country.”