It’s incredible how the same thing can hold entirely different meanings for different people. For some, going to the gym is about health. For others, it’s about aesthetics. But what if working out could be about something more? What if it was about connection?

My nephew, Yishai Mann, was that kind of person. Before enlisting in the IDF, he completed a course to become a certified personal fitness trainer—following in his father’s footsteps. In the army, Yishai served bravely as a combat medic, treating the wounded in Gaza and saving lives under fire.

There are countless ways in which Yishai was special. One of the most striking was his deep and joyful connection with his family. His bond with his parents was so strong that his friends took notice—and even took part. When Yishai and his friends played video games, they often invited his father to join them. That kind of closeness was rare, and everyone felt it.

Yishai’s home gym became a hub of life—where he trained with friends, laughed with siblings, and bonded with his parents. For him, fitness wasn’t just about pushing limits; it was about spending time with the people he loved. There was even a dream floating around: What if we could have an Avot U’Banim—but instead of learning texts, parents and children would work out together? What if strength could be built not just in the body, but between generations?

This past Sukkot, Yishai, age 21, was tragically killed during his army service. His loss is a wound that still feels fresh: something completely impossible to make sense of, impossible to accept. Honoring him feels overwhelming when grief is still so raw. And yet, there’s a glimmer of light: Maybe, even in this darkness, we can bring something good into the world.

In Yishai’s memory, his family is launching a project called Jesse’s Gym. (Yishai loved being called Jesse!) This will be a community gym in the heart of Mitzpe Yericho, where families can strengthen their bodies and their bonds. Not every child is drawn to traditional parent-child learning programs, but every child needs meaningful time with their parents. Jesse’s Gym will offer that through movement, teamwork, and shared goals.

We’re currently raising funds for the project. Our goal is 400,000 shekel, and we’re already making progress. You can support us by donating at this link: https://causematch.com/mann/502697

Help us build something Yishai would have loved—a space where families grow stronger together. Just as his parents created a home gym that nurtured love and connection, Jesse’s Gym will spread that blessing to the entire community. And who knows? Maybe it will spark a movement across the country.

We’re reaching out to the Bergen County community—our hometown of Fair Lawn and the places that shaped us. My siblings and I all went to Yavneh; my sister Dina, Yishai’s mother, graduated from Ma’ayanot, Our older brother Ephraim is a proud Frisch alumnus, and while I made aliyah just two months into my time at TABC, our roots remain deeply tied to the community that raised us.

We invite you to honor Yishai by helping us create Jesse’s Gym—a space where families grow stronger together, in body and in bond.

Ben Gabbai, formerly of Fair Lawn, lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife, Shoshana (Pudell) Gabbai, formerly of Teaneck, and their four children. He was extremely close with his nephew, Yishai, and hopes you will be inspired to contribute to making Yishai’s dream come true.