Eial’s Story
Shalom, my name is Eial Ovin.
This is the story of how woodworking, and later making mezuzahs, helped pull me out of a very dark place shaped by combat-related PTSD.
Background
Where it all began
On August 2, 2011, I turned 18 and began my service in the IDF.
I grew up on Kibbutz Sa’ar in the Galilee, where I still live and work today. I was accepted into Palchan Tzanchanim, the special forces unit of the Paratroopers. After a year and a half of intense training, I found myself on the front lines of Operation Protective Edge.
What Happened
The Mission
Our mission was to locate and destroy underground tunnels used to launch attacks on Israeli civilians. It was slow, brutal, and relentless.
My unit was hit in one of the deadliest attacks of the war. We lost four soldiers from our team, including our commander. Eighteen others were wounded, some with life-altering injuries.
When the operation ended, my body left Gaza, but my mind did not. That was the beginning of a different kind of battle, the silent and ongoing struggle with PTSD.
Back on the kibbutz
The Woodworking Shop
Back on the kibbutz, I found refuge in the woodworking shop. I had always loved working with my hands, especially with oak and olive wood, materials that reflect our deep connection to the land.
Slowly, the smell of sawdust replaced the smell of gunpowder.
The Mezuzah
Where healing found form
Each mezuzah I make is more than an object. It holds memory, healing, and transformation. Wood that was once raw and lifeless becomes something sacred. Pain is shaped into something meaningful.
Each mezuzah is a tribute to the friends I lost and a symbol of protection for those still living. Today, this work has become my full-time calling. Every piece is handcrafted and unique, carrying memory, healing, and hope. Through this work, I have found moments of peace, one mezuzah at a time.