2024 IMPACT REPORT

Message from AFINS’ Board Chair

In 2024, American Friends of Israel Navy SEALs (AFINS) supported our Israeli partner Atalef (Israel Navy SEAL) Foundation in serving 8,500 people across Israeli society with the help of 1,550 Israel Navy SEAL community volunteers. Those 8,500 included injured SEALs and bereaved parents, reservists’ spouses and children, unit personnel in financial need and scholarship recipients, at-risk youth whom SEALs surf with and Holocaust survivors whose homes they renovate, the hundreds of post-traumatic male and female soldiers and veterans in our Buddy Line program and many, many more.

Our mission at AFINS is two-fold: 1) strengthen the State of Israel through our support of the Israel Navy SEALs, and 2) strengthen the connection between the United States’ Jewish community and Israel. Year-over-year, we continue to make great strides in the first. In light of bracing post-October 7th anti-Semitism here in the U.S., we are also advancing in the second, growing our Next-Generation community of rising professionals and partnering with and inspiring youth in our B’NaiFINS mitzvah project program.

We hope you will share our pride in the figures below and the respite and resilience, inspiration and appreciation we have together afforded so many within the Israel Navy SEAL (Shayetet 13) community and across Israeli society who have given so much in defense of the State of Israel. We hope too that you share our understanding that the injuries, trauma and loss of the Iron Swords War and the ongoing hostage crisis opened and fester wounds we are just beginning to address and to heal. In this, we will continue to need your help.

Thank you for being a part of our community and our work.

With gratitude,

Eric Zoller,
Chair

Our Partner Atalef (Israel Navy SEAL) Foundation's 2024 Growth

**Donations* Made by Atalef (Israel Navy SEAL) Community Members:**

“Throughout this past year, the Atalef community stood strong, providing critical support to Shayetet 13, our members, and Israeli society. From the onset of the war, Atalef members distinguished themselves through extraordinary volunteerism, initiative, and generosity. Hundreds left behind their families and businesses to serve in the reserves, demonstrating unwavering commitment. Recognizing their sacrifice, we provided targeted support in close collaboration with the unit’s commanders, assisting in hundreds of cases and organizing activities to strengthen both combat forces and their families.

Thousands more have been wounded, including many suffering from deep emotional trauma who will require long-term support through our Buddy Line program. Our people have faced harsh realities—some overcame them, while others, tragically, could not. More injured and fallen soldiers have joined the Shayetet 13 family, and our hearts are with the wounded and bereaved families, who will forever remain an integral part of us.

Our direction is strong, our path is clear, and our achievements are significant. Together with our professional, devoted team and engaged board we will continue leading Atalef to new heights, for the benefit of our members, Shayetet 13, and Israeli society as a whole.”

* Annual member donations include both direct donations and nominal commitment fees for participation in foundation programs.

“For the Atalef Foundation, 2024 was a year filled with action, adapted to the complex reality we face in our country. We supported Shayetet 13, assisted reservists and their families, stood by bereaved families, contributed to the rehabilitation efforts of communities in the north and the Gaza envelope, and operated programs aimed at supporting those impacted by reserve service and Israeli society as a whole.

In 2025, alongside continuing these initiatives, we will focus on additional aspects of our mission. We aim to develop a multi-year strategic plan based on the foundation's goals, objectives, and guiding principles, as outlined in the strategic process led by the Atalef Foundation's board of directors. We seek to refine the strategy for the Buddy Line program, broadening its application and ensuring its long-term growth. In addition to sustaining our existing programs, we aim to develop new initiatives, implement operational mechanisms that will allow us to further improve and learn from past experiences, and establish internal systems and procedures for managing the foundation, our community, and other key areas.

It is never redundant to thank our donors and volunteers. And, dear members, let us remind you that you are the true partners in our vision and mission—everything we accomplish is thanks to you. Thank you for choosing to be part of the Atalef family.”

Iron Swords War: Support for Reserve Soldiers, the Unit and Israeli Society

Since the outbreak of the war, the Atalef Foundation has provided comprehensive support to reservists and their families, amounting to more than 33 million ILS. This assistance has been delivered across multiple areas, impacting thousands of operators and their families, with the goal of strengthening their personal and family resilience and enabling them to continue contributing to Israel's security.

Injury Recovery & Rehabilitation - Personalized support for recovery processes, medical assistance, and individual guidance.
Personalized Support for Operators - Individual guidance in personal, family, employment, and academic matters.
Support for Reservists' Families - Events, resilience workshops, and social gatherings for spouses and families.
Strengthening the Operators Community - Team-building activities and workshops to enhance personal and family resilience.

The scope of this support reflects the foundation's deep commitment to reservists and their families, recognizing that the battle does not end on the battlefield-it continues in their personal lives, careers, and families.

Since the outbreak of the war, the foundation has continued to provide support for the injured from the security services (Shin-Bet, Mossad) and to operate its programs in emergency mode.

The Buddy Line program has supported casualties coping with combat experiences, holding daily meetings across Israel - discussions, movement, surfing, sailing, volunteering, and Shabbat gatherings. The professional team maintained continuous contact with the participants and conducted home visits as needed.

The Still Water program provided personal support for the newly wounded, with one volunteer for each injured person. The surfing group in Herzliya was renamed "Team Vaxi Still Water" in memory of Amit Vax, one of the first volunteers, who died on October 7, 2023 defending his home near the Gaza border.

In addition, the foundation provided support to other organizations and initiatives that assisted evacuees, soldiers, and victims of the war in its commitment to supporting and strengthening broader Israeli society.

2024 Key Activities by Quarter

January - March

Injured SEAL (Dolev) Activities - Launch of the Dolev Carpentry Group; Free Diving Course.
Atalef Women's Events - Breathing workshops, International Women's Day events, Women's Day for career military spouses.

Wartime Mentorship - Matching mentors with reservists facing challenges due to their service.
Buddy Line Activities - Opening of the Ashdod group; Completion of the Women's first-year group; Completion of the Sailing Jaffa group.
Atalef in the Community - Renovation of 77 apartments in Kiryat Gat for Kibbutz Erez evacuees as a temporary housing solution.

April - June

Community Events - Real Estate Forum meeting, screening of "To the Edge - Amazon Journey", reopening of the renewed Shayetet 13 Lookout, Transitional Workshop, Veterans' visit to the unit, Culinary Tours for reservists and their spouses.
Completion of Version Bravo Program.
Injured SEAL (Dolev) Activities - Family event, Diving Refresher Workshop.
Buddy Line Activities - Collaboration with the "Bartali Cycling" Association, Opening of the Sailing Herzliya group; Completion of the Diving Michmoret group, Free Diving Course, JunkRally Challenge Journey.
Atalef in the Community - Supporting a bereaved father who lost his son on October 7 in Kfar Aza; Establishing a support center for PTSD victims.

July-September

Community Events - Volunteer Appreciation Event, Real Estate Forum meeting, Reservist & Career Military Family Day at the base.
Atalef Women's Events - Appreciation event for reservists' spouses at ALAYA Hotel in Poleg.

Bereaved Families Activities - Fallen Families Gathering from the Iron Swords War at the unit base, Running in Their Memory event, Fun Day at Memadion Water Park.
Atalef Foundation Board Elections.
Buddy Line Activities - Family Day for Alumni Community.
Atalef in the Community - Support for evacuees from the Gaza Envelope.

October-December

Community Events - Real Estate Investment Exposure Conference, Screening of "Arugam Bay."
Launch of “Compass” Mentorship Program’s 18th cohort.
Injured SEAL (Dolev) Activities - Free-Diving Course for Dolev members.
Combat Resilience Workshops - For reserve teams.
Buddy Line Activities - Opening of new groups: Jaffa, Kinneret, All-Women’s group, Kiryat Yam; second-annual Buddy Line Festival.
Atalef in the Community - Renovation of a home in Jaffa for lone soldiers, home renovations for Holocaust survivors, and maintenance of the Shayetet 13 Lookout.

Action for Israel Navy SEAL Community

The members of the Atalef Foundation community include veterans of Shayetet 13 (combatants and combat supporters), reservists, the physically and mentally injured, and the bereaved families. The foundation works to maintain an active membership and to strengthen the relationship between the foundation, the community members, and Shayetet 13. The Atalef Foundation is a vibrant community of thousands of members with powerful networking and a strong spirit of mutual responsibility. The foundation offers its members various programs that accompany them during important events in their civil lives, with the aim of helping them develop in various fields.

Because Atalef is about community, commemoration, and legacy, it maintains these core values by building up Shayetet 13 soldiers and equipping them for flourishing in Israeli society by supporting their personal and professional development as they make their transition into civilian life.

This groundwork begins weeks before completion of active-duty service. Atalef prepares Israel's Navy SEALS for life beyond the base with transitional workshops that cover various topics, ranging from academic studies to financial management and preparation for post-military release travel abroad.

The foundation has a scholarship program designed for veterans, soldiers, officers, and combat support graduates of the unit as well as bereaved siblings who have enrolled in undergraduate and advanced degree studies. To further their development, SEALs can apply to join our designated mentorship program, in which we pair them with a successful professional. They participate as part of a cohort in an 8-month program that includes one-to-one support, lectures, guided group projects, and networking.

At every stage of their personal and professional development, we provide a vast professional and personal support network of fellow alumni and friends to help SEALS set and achieve their post-service goals. Atalef also provides multiple avenues for its community to connect, support, and impact with social events, sporting activities, challenges, competitions, and even a podcast to remain connected and share their achievements and breakthroughs.

Networking

Launch of Atalef Foundation's networking platform, "The Fortress” with more than 500 community members to-date.
2 Real Estate Forum events and a Real Estate Conference.
Veterans' visits to the unit.
Appreciation event for Atalef Foundation volunteers, with 150 attendees.
Enrichment lectures on e-commerce and wealth building.
Film screenings: "To the Edge - Journey to the Amazon" and "Arugam Bay."
13 veteran team BBQs reconnecting teammates and providing updates on the programs and resources available.

Reservists

Culinary tours for reservists and their spouses, with 70 attendees.
Family Day at the Unit for reservists, active- duty personnel, and their families, with 1,600 attendees.
50 team BBQs for reserve units, demonstrating our appreciation and providing updates on the programs and resources available.
Appreciation Gift - Cooler bags distributed to all reservists.
Wartime Mentorship Program - A new initiative providing one-on-one support for reservists coping with the impact of their service. To date, 10 reservists have taken part in the program.

Atalef Women's Community

A community of approximately 500 women.

Breath therapy workshop, with 20 attendees.
International Women's Day event, with 150 attendees.
"A Moment for Myself" retreat at ALAYA Hotel in Poleg, with 200 attendees.
Women's Day event for active-duty spouses, in collaboration with the unit.

Version Bravo Entrepreneurship Accelerator

8 Shayetet 13 graduates and 7 former US Navy SEAL graduates of the program's third cohort. Milestones included Pat Nanson of Maritime Operations Group successfully closing a venture capital round and Yahav Regev of SkySapience securing new funding, including from investors within the AFINS network. These and other accomplishments underscore the powerful bridge we are building between veteran-led innovation and our global community.

Scholarships

58 scholarships awarded to Atalef Foundation members.

Holiday Gift Cards

Approximately 300 gift cards distributed to lone soldiers and soldiers in need for Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Hanukkah.

participants’ comments on programs for the israel navy seal community:

Action for Bereaved Families, Injured Warriors, Spouses, and in Support of Personal Resilience

The aim of the Safety Net Program is to provide a safe, consistent, and stable home for members of the Atalef community, service casualties, and bereaved families, while building the personal and collective resilience of foundation members.

At the heart of our work are the bereaved families of Shayetet 13. The foundation accompanies and supports the bereaved families throughout the year, offering social activities, and personal assistance, and work to strengthen the connection with the Shayetet 13 unit.

We help and support the unit’s permanently injured through group meetings, assistance with the Ministry of Defense, financial and psychological assistance programs that are personally tailored, as well as resilience programs for the processing of complex experiences. We offer therapeutic programs to provide healing to soldiers suffering physical injury and trauma during their service, such as extreme rowing and climbing with trained instructors and therapists for this purpose.

In addition, an Aid Fund has been established to provide assistance in individual cases for community members in need of tools for coping, personal empowerment, or financial assistance.

Activities for Injured Warriors and for Spouses

Injured pre-iron swords war:

354 Dolev members.
68 participants in Dolev Extreme programs.
35 participants in 3 cycles of Dolev Free-Diving workshops.
13 participants in Dolev Carpentry program.

injured during Iron Swords war:

Volunteer assigned to each of 68 newly injured members, including hospital visits.
A gift package from the foundation is sent to each injured member, along with a tablet provided by YES company. Assistance with transportation for rehabilitation, purchasing necessary equipment, and more.
Private box experience at the Maccabi vs. Hapoel Tel Aviv derby.
Day retreat for 20 injured Iron Swords soldiers and their spouses at Olga.
Membership to the LIFT gym, available in several cities across the country.

Activities for Bereaved Families

130 bereaved families.

Ongoing support throughout the year, including memorial services and remembrance days.
Completion of the barcode labeling project on the graves of Shayetet 13 fallen soldiers, including those who passed away due to disabilities. The barcodes link to the memorial pages on the Atalef Foundation's web site and can be edited by the families at any time.
Summer event at the water park with more than 300 participantss.
"Running in Their Memory" - This is the third year the foundation, together with the unit, holds a memorial and heritage event where all base soldiers participate in a run and a combat ceremony in honor of the fallen.
Respite cruise available on-demand for newly bereaved families.
Inauguration event for the renewed Shayetet 13 memorial lookout - 46 new names were added to the unit's memorial, including 40 veterans who were recognized as disabled and died after their service due to their health conditions acquired from dive-training in the polluted Kishon portdisabilities, including those from diving in Kishon, and six fallen soldiers who fell infrom the Iron Swords war.

• Event for the newly bereaved families in the unit [PHOTO].

Activities for Reservists Individually and in Teams

Resilience

5 Team Journeys for processing combat and service experiences.

Emergency Funds (including Iron Swords): More than 250 community members were supported through our various assistance funds for reserve soldiers, active-duty soldiers, and community members. Most of the cases this year were focused on community members directly affected by the Iron Swords war.
Workshops for processing service and combat experiences (Iron Swords War) for all reserve teams.

injured warriors’ and reservists’ comments:

Actions for Broader Israeli Society

During 20 months of grueling training, Israel Navy SEALs must touch key markers with all five fingers of their hand. The candidates who make it through selection and training are not those who lead the pack on swims, runs, and marches but those who push and pull even their slowest teammates to finish. It is about empowering the whole, from the strongest to the weakest. This level of commitment and teamwork stays with them for life. With the skills they learned by serving in Shayetet 13, they have the tools to transform and impact society as a whole.

The foundation aims to support and empower different populations in Israeli society, with an emphasis on the physically and psychologically wounded of the security service and at-risk youth, by using the strengths of the members of the Atalef community and their natural connection to the sea. With the help of the community volunteers and the professionals of the Atalef Foundation, the various programs of the foundation provide individual, tailored, and long-term assistance, and help our target audiences deal with everyday difficulties. The foundation operates three main volunteer programs: Buddy Line, Still Water, and HaGal Sheli (My Wave). In addition, hundreds of our veterans assist local authorities throughout the country and focus on disadvantaged populations.

Our SEAL Social Impact Programs include:

Buddy Line

Buddy Line pairs trained Israel Navy SEAL volunteers with severely post-traumatic veterans from other units of the entire security service for therapeutic water activities with both tangible objectives and goals aimed at supporting psychological well-being. The goal is to help participants overcome obstacles they face in their daily lives through "eye-level" personal connections, in order to strengthen their confidence and self-resilience. Since being piloted in 2018, the program has twice been independently evaluated and proven to significantly reduce symptoms of PTSD (quantitative surveys) and to improve key relationships (interviews with spouses and other close family members).

Still Water

A joint program of the Atalef Foundation and Beit Halochem, this nationally recognized program provides SEALS the opportunity to volunteer with injured soldiers from across the IDF in rehabilitative water activities. Participants meet with Israel Navy SEAL volunteers and learn swimming and stand-up paddleboarding under the guidance of a certified instructor.

HaGal Sheli (My Wave)

A joint program of the Atalef Foundation and My Wave Association, where Israel Navy SEAL volunteers take at-risk youth surfing. The program utilizes surfing as a tool to help young people acquire skills and personal empowerment, teaching them to overcome life's challenges.

ATALEF in the Community

Atalef community members provide ongoing support to local authorities across the country. Projects include renovations, garden cleaning, support for Holocaust survivors and youth boarding schools, and food distribution.