KOACH EITAN
About Koach Eitan Founders
Leora & Eitan Ashman
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Eitan, originally from Baltimore, and Leora, from Toronto, made aliyah to Israel in 1996. Together, they settled in Efrat, where they became active members of the community and raised four beautiful children. Both Eitan and Leora have always been deeply engaged in their roles as parents and have been eager to contribute to the world and the Jewish community around them.
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At the time of Eitan’s devastating stroke, Leora was leading Efrat’s informal education system as the head coordinator of five youth groups, while Eitan managed a property management company and pursued many passion projects. He was a CrossFit coach, a dedicated MDA paramedic, and a passionate Torah teacher. The Ashman’s days were full of purpose, meaning, and community service.
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Then, in an instant, their world changed.
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In MONTH/YEAR Eitan survived a massive stroke, but not without devastating losses. He lost his ability to speak fluently, bringing an abrupt end to his career and to many of the hobbies he cherished. He could no longer teach Torah or serve as a MDA volunteer. Eitan lost significant portions of his long-term memory and functional use of many of the muscles on the right side of his body. For Leora, this meant stepping away from her job to fully dedicate herself to Eitan’s rehabilitation and to supporting her husband and children through these difficult and often painful changes.
But even in the most challenging moments, Eitan and Leora’s determination to help others never wavered.
But even in the most challenging moments, Eitan and Leora’s determination to help others never wavered.
In March 2022, nearly five years after his stroke, and after receiving tremendous support from people around the world, Eitan and Leora knew it was time to give back. In the aftermath of Eitan’s stroke, they discovered a critical gap in awareness.
Though nearly 15 million people suffer from strokes annually, and millions more suffer traumatic brain injuries, most people don’t understand what aphasia is, how strokes and brain injuries affect individuals and families, or how to communicate effectively and sensitively with those impacted.
Out of this realization, Koach Eitan was born.
A project of Giving Ltd., Koach Eitan aims to educate and raise awareness within the Jewish community about brain injury and aphasia, and foster inclusivity for those affected by stroke and aphasia, and to provide critical support for family members and caregivers of those who are struggling with a traumatic brain injury or aphasia.
True to his personality, Eitan has continued to face life’s challenges with unwavering determination and resilience. Together, he and Leora are using their journey to inspire and educate others, to promote understanding, and to create a more inclusive world. They remind us all of the power of putting one foot in front of the other, no matter how it is—and doing it all with a smile.
