Mother of October 7 victim and Israel Guide Dog Centre continue special connection

The three dogs are called Woody, Jake, and Marlowe. Woody is named after the Jewish community in Borehamwood; attendees of their weekly vigil post-October 7 raised the funds to sponsor the third puppy.

“There is one image in particular – Jake [the dog] looking at Jake [Marlowe] at the Nova memorial – that says more than words ever could,” Lisa said.

The puppy named after Jake Marlowe looking at a memorial for him at the site of the Nova massacre (photo: IGDC)[Missing Credit]

As well as partaking in the walking challenge with their dog Jaxon, Lisa has recently become a trustee of the centre, saying she was “truly humbled and deeply honoured” to do so.

“I genuinely believe it is a remarkable organisation,” she said. “Whether providing guide dogs for those who are blind or partially sighted, or support dogs for individuals with autism or PTSD, its work changes lives in the most meaningful way.”

Meanwhile, IGDC UK held its fifth annual supper quiz in north London last week, hosting 220 participants. The evening featured a raffle, information about the centre’s work, and – naturally – trivia about dogs.

JC contributor Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, who had only that morning completed the London Marathon, spoke at the event accompanied by his dog Nessie.

The winning quiz team at the IGDC annual supper quiz (photo: IGDC)[Missing Credit]

The centre is running an additional challenge at the moment, the Martin Segal superhero competition, which encourages children to draw a superhero dog or human-and-dog duo in honour of IGDC UK’s late executive director.

In recent weeks the organisation has visited two Jewish primary schools in north London, Rimon and Akiva, to engage children in the contest.

“It celebrates Martin’s legacy by encouraging entrants to think about how superheroes come in all shapes and sizes, much like the centre’s dogs,” IGDC UK said.

Lisa Marlowe summarised eloquently the role of the guide dogs, saying that “they have an extraordinary ability to heal, support, and uplift people, offering unconditional love without asking for anything in return”.

The JC recently covered the important work that the IGDC does, interviewing Erez Barkai, whose guide dog Venus helps him to live a life that would be impossible without her.

The IGDC has a centre in Rishon LeZion in Israel. The Marlowes have visited three times, and Lisa described it as “a truly special place”.

Click here for more information about the walking challenge, here for the superhero challenge, and here to learn more about Israel Guide Dog Centre UK.