PodCats 6:6:9 Minutes of the American Friends of Unit 669

Hosted by Bar Reuven

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Nov 2026

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About the show

On “PodCats”, hear from veterans of Unit 669, the elite Combat Search & Rescue force of the IDF, on how they translate the flexibility, readiness, and creativity required on their missions to life outside the military. We will talk about Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Business, Social Impact, and Inspiration. Featuring the most interesting stories from veterans, supporters, and those rescued by the unit, tune in to hear how they live up to the unit’s mascot, the nimble and creative Black Cat!

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55 recent

November 3, 202634 min

From Struggle to Healing: Orr Soffer on Resilience, Cancer, and a Life Dedicated to Healing Others

After completing his active service, Or was diagnosed with cancer. A life-changing moment that came shortly after losing his father, who passed away less than a year before Or was diagnosed, following a two-year battle withcancer. Facing personal loss and his own illness, Or went through a challenging period that shaped the direction of his life. Out of that experience, he chose a new path, one focused on healing. Or moved to San Jose, California , to study chiropracticcare, and began building a career dedicated to helping others. With the support of the American Friends of Unit 669 ,including a scholarship and participation in the mentorship program, he continued forward and eventually opened his own practice. Today, we’ll talk with Or about his journey, from service, through loss and recovery, to building a life centered on healing and resilience.

August 6, 202636 min

Saving Minds and Lives Beyond the Battlefield; D. Mental Health, and Project Save a Life

D. served as a combat soldier in Team 38 of Unit 669 . During his service, D. was part of missions that required precision, responsibility, and the ability to act under pressure. After completing his military service, D. chose a different path- one that continues the same mission in another form. Today, he is working on Project Save a Life , an initiative focused on improving the treatment of suicidal ideation within the Israeli mental health system. In a system where accessible, evidence-based solutions are still limited, D.’s work focuses on training the people who train others, building a long-term, scalable impact. Through collaborations with academic and clinical institutions in Israel and the United States, the project aims to bring new tools and approaches to those on the front lines of mental health care. In this episode, we’ll talk with D. about his journey, from combat service to mental health, and what it means to dedicate your life to saving others, in different ways.

June 4, 202633 min

“Data Rules”: From Ben-Gurion to Cancer Treatment; Ben Zeskind’s Long Game

Our guest is Ben Zeskind , a long-time supporter of Unit 669 and one of the American Friends’ dedicated donors. We were lucky to be introduced to him by our Vice Chairman, Peter Feinberg. Ben is the co-founder and CEO of Immuneering Corporation , a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new cancer treatments. For nearly two decades, Ben has been working on a single mission- to help people with cancer live longer, while preserving their quality of life. Through Immuneering, he and his team are developing a new class of therapies designed to treat cancer in a more durable and sustainable way. In this episode, we’ll talk with Ben about what it means to build something over many years and the challenges of working in science and innovation. Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bzeskind/ Immuneering Corporation: https://immuneering.com/

April 27, 202624 min

Building Resilience: Amy Lebovitz on Supply Chains, Manufacturing, Leadership, and Supporting Unit 669

Ourv guest is Amy Lebovitz, a long-time friend and supporter of Unit 669 and one of the American Friends’ dedicated donors. Amy is a business owner with decades of experience in manufacturing, warehousing, and supply-chain management. In her professional life, she has worked closely with complex logistics, global trade, and tariffs- building companies that keep products and people moving even in challenging environments. In this episode, we’ll talk with Amy about her work, her connection to Israel and 669, and what it means to build resilience, in business and in life, especially during times of uncertainty with the new administration.

April 13, 202633 min

Against All Odds: O. Defending Kibbutz Alumim on the Black Morning of October 7th

Our guest today serves as a combat operator in team 48 in Unit 669. He is a member of Kibbutz Alumim, located near theGaza border. On October 7th, 2023, O. found himself fighting todefend his community when terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz. Alongside his Kibutz on-call team, O. helped protect dozens of families who were under attack. That day changed the lives of everyone in Alumim - and left a mark that will never be forgotten. In this conversation, O. shares his personal story from that morning - the moments of fear and courage, the loss, and the strength that came from standing together as a community.

November 3, 2025Episode 527 min

When the Mission Hits Home: A Unit 669 Operator on Brotherhood, Courage, and the loss of his twin

E. reflects on his service, his bond with his twin brother, and the strength it takes to keep going after loss. Our guest serves as a combat operator in team 49 in Unit 669. E. served since the beginning of the war in Gaza and finished his active duty on December 2024. During the war, their team lost 2 teammates. E.. found himself during the war serving in a special combat team with a unit called Maglan, where his twin brother A.. is serving.A few months later, A.. tragically lost his life during an operation, and was evacuated by Unit 669 from the battlefield, but didn’t make yet.

November 3, 2025Episode 4930 min

When Saving Lives Means Facing Death: A Unit 669 Operator’s Story from Operation Arnon

Exploring the human side of a mission defined by impossible decisions and extraordinary bravery. A firsthand account from a Unit 669 combat operator who helped bring four Israeli hostages home after 245 days in captivity. Our guest serves as a combat operator in team 47 in Unit 669. In the early hours of June 8th, 2024, a highly coordinated rescuemission—that was later named Operation Arnon—unfolded in the heart of Gaza.After 245 days in captivity, four Israeli hostages were brought home in an audacious daylight raid that involved elite ground forces, air units, and the precision of a unit trained to save lives under fire. This is not just a story about tactics or heroism. It’s about fear,teamwork, impossible decisions, and the quiet moments that stay with a soldier long after the rotors stop spinning.

August 19, 2025Episode 433 min

From Combat Medicine to Multimillion-Dollar Exit — Dr. Yechiel Engelhard's Journey. Innovation, Resilience, and Leadership from Unit 669 to Pharma Tech

Our guest served as the Chief Medical Officer of Unit 669 in2006-2009. He is a true example of how dedication, discipline, and a passion for innovation can shape a meaningful career. From his early days navigating the challenges of tech, through his impactful military service, to building and successfully selling Gecko in 2019 in millions of dollars to Tevapharmaceuticals, Yechiel’s journey is packed with lessons about perseverance, vision, and leadership. Yechiel is a successful entrepreneur who founded companies, he is an investor and a mentor. Yechiel Engelhard's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yechielengelhard/

August 4, 202533 min

Smart Tech, Safer Performance: How Movmenta's Sensors Are Transforming Athletic Training – Ofir Dagan’s Vision

Our guest served in Team 22 of Unit 669. Afterward, he went on to the IDF Officers Academy and returned to the unit, where he served in severaladvanced officer roles. He grew up on a moshav and began his career as a farmer. Blending agriculture with innovation, he brought technology into his work with seeds and eventually sold his first company to Sugat Industries—Israel’s leading supplierof sugar and rice to the industrial and retail markets. He then moved to London to pursue his MBA at London Business School, where he founded Movmenta—a company that uses advanced sensors and intelligent data systems to help athletes push their limits safely and sustainably. Movmenta has already raised several rounds of funding, has a live product, and is operating in the market. Ofir Dagan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofir-dagan1/ Movmenta's website: https://www.movmenta.com/

July 18, 2025Episode 5037 min

Emergency Medicine Meets Venture Capital: Dr. Jonathan Glazer transforming Healthcare from the Inside Out

Our guest served in Unit 669 as a combat medical doctor, he is a partner at Pitango HealthTech, a leading venture capital firm dedicated to transforming healthcare through innovation. With a unique background that blends clinical medicine and business strategy, he brings a wealth of experience in both the healthcare and investment sectors. He holds both MD and MBA degrees. In this conversation, Jonathan will share his personal journey, the experience in the unit, and the future of health tech as he sees it. Jonathan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jonathan-glazer/ Pitango VC: https://www.pitango.com/