99% Heaven & Against All Odds: Marcello Recommends- Even After Everything by Betsy Fischer

When she signed my copy of her new book, author Betsy Fischer wrote: “I hope you find Gadi as inspirational as I do.”

Welp, unless your heart and soul are empty, it’s impossible to read Gadi Yarkoni’s life story and not feel inspired or motivated.

I was also filled with a deep sense of gratitude while reading this book because it reminded me of what I take for granted:

• I have my legs.

• I don’t live in a war zone.

• I’ve never had to watch my friends, family, or neighbors get shot, blown up, or murdered.

• My vision isn’t impaired.

• My heart is strong and healthy.

• I live in America… the greatest country in the world.

I only know what I know about Middle East tensions and conflicts from the news reports I hear on the radio while driving to work. As you know, 90% of that information is mostly unreliable and usually biased depending on the source.

However, with very few exceptions, the horrific images and footage of the conflict are undeniable. There is so much suffering, chaos, and barbarism happening that viewers can only hope it’s a movie clip or an AI synthetic- but those who are “in it” know better.

Unfortunately, much of the death and destruction we see, regardless of the media source, is hauntingly accurate.

Betsy didn’t just write a book based on Google searches, distant Zoom interviews, or various channels of gossip. She traveled across the globe to speak directly with the sources and immersed herself in the danger zone. The result is this remarkable book, which beautifully captures Gadi Yarkoni’s extraordinary journey.

Without giving the specifics of the story away, Gadi faced more challenges in one lifetime than most people would encounter in twenty. His ability to remain positive and hopeful throughout these experiences is simply awe-inspiring. Betsy’s incredibly thorough research and dedication to publishing this passion project was- as a fellow author, I can tell you- just as impressive.

Here are a few of my favorite excerpts from Even After Everything: How One Humble Kibbutznik Believed in Heaven While Living Through Hell:

“By observing his father’s granite-like work ethic and tireless efforts on behalf of others, Gadi witnessed the highest form of Kibbutz ethos manifested in his dad.”

“Despite operating in an incredibly volatile region, he never wanted to relocate. To him, The Gaza Envelope was “99% Heaven,” a belief that has become his oft-announced personal credo.”

“Children attended school, farmers tended to their crops, Gadi managed both Nirim and Kissufim. But everyone in the area lived with their personal radars dialed up, knowing the Tzeva Adom could shatter the quiet at any moment."

“Gadi was capable of poking fun at himself: 'Now my situation is even better. I don’t have to cut my toenails anymore.'”

“As the weeks progressed, despite the horrific circumstances that landed him in Sheba, Gadi was cheerful. 'Not everything was funny, obviously, but I was happy. I didn’t feel like I was in the hospital. It felt more like a place where you go and rest and recuperate, almost like a vacation.' He thoroughly enjoyed all the attention, support, and edible gifts. He maintains he was blissful every single day. 'I was moving forward and I was just joyful to be alive. I was content with what I had, and didn’t think about what I’d lost.'”

“When looking back at this time, Shoham can’t believe all that she did. From waking at the crack of dawn, to being certain to catch Gadi’s doctors making rounds, to making sure she was with her children every day after school, to managing the household on her own. She recalls, at that time, it was clear that that’s what I had to do. No questions asked.”

“His focus was on the soldiers having the toughest time, telling them their injury didn’t mean life was over. Giving up wasn’t an option. He didn’t lecture, necessarily; he just tried to inspire and set a positive example.”

“'I came here in pieces, and you put me back together again. You taught me how to stand tall.'”

“Eventually, after she saw how determined he was, she threw her support behind him. Then she realized his plan to become mayor was his way of coping and recovering. 'He had to do something meaningful, not just focus on his medical problems.'”

“'For me to feel good means I need to do for others. And it makes me the happiest on earth.'”

“At each gathering, Gadi spoke about what he wanted to accomplish for Eshkol. He emphasized that it was time for a change, and he was the change-maker.”

“For Shoham, it was just like a birth- a little over nine months after the injury, and Gadi was now head of the entire region. In those initial celebratory moments, Zare bounded over to him, gave him a tight hug, and exclaimed, 'You knew!' She had shared with him, way back in Soroka, that Gadi would rise like a phoenix yet again. And she was right.”

“'Against all odds' was the phrase continually repeated in conversations around the regional council.”

“He’s not a politician. But he’s a great leader who does things from the heart.”

Ultimately, Gadi's story is a profound reminder that while never giving up is rarely easy, it is absolutely vital to the human spirit.

We were so incredibly honored to have Betsy as one of our guest keynote speakers at the 2026 Celebrate Life Luncheon, and hearing her share this passion in person makes this powerful book hit even closer to home.

You can order your copy of Betsy’s new book, Even After Everything, by clicking on this Amazon link: https://a.co/d/07g5FABo

Enjoy your weekend, everyone.

Onwards and upwards...

Cheers,

-m