Page 36 - HaMizrachi #9 Yom HaAtzmaut 5779

OneFamily

THE POWER

OF TOGETHER MICHAL BELZBERG

hen you hear about a terror to care for the victims of terror, and No More Hugs
attack, you read the horrifying to provide them with emotional and
W details and the heartbreaking financial support. Last year for example, Iris Yifrach spoke
stories of the families left behind, your about her son, Eyal, who was murdered
heart goes out to their children, their “We strive to rehabilitate, reintegrate five years ago: “For four years you have
parents, their spouse and their brothers and rebuild the lives of thousands of been gone and the memories burn inside my
and sisters. Israelis affected by terror, by providing heart. When you entered the house, it was
them with a comprehensive blend like the sun coming out… remember how
But you can never fully fathom the of financial assistance, therapeutic your little sisters used to hang on to your
devastation it causes to families who lose programs, workshops and retreats as well big backpack? And I was in the corner of
loved ones or are injured in attacks. Their as legal aid, regardless of race or religion. the kitchen waiting patiently for my turn.
lives are plunged into chaos and despair. Over the last 18 years we have provided Waiting for your warmth, your greatness.
more than $55 million in assistance to
This is where the Jerusalem-based more than 4,000 victims of terrorism In the great light you brought with you, you
OneFamily steps in. and war, and their families.” would say ‘Mommy I’m home, how are you?’
And in the precious moments during candle
It began almost 18 years ago, says Before Israel’s 71st Independence Day lighting on Shabbat, you would come out
Chantal Belzberg, CEO of OneFamily. celebrations this year, the nation will of your room dressed in white, and I was
“We were about to celebrate our mark Remembrance Day for Israel’s already imagining your father and I walking
daughter Michal’s Bat Mitzvah when fallen. While the entire country comes down the aisle on the happiest day of your
there was a suicide bomb attack at the to a standstill and honors them once life…”
Sbarro Pizza Restaurant. 15 people a year, OneFamily remembers these
were murdered and 85 injured. There people all year round. Or Tziona Netanel, wife of Cpt. Yonatan
and then, Michal decided to cancel her Netanel, who spoke of life without her
celebrations and asked family and guests On Tuesday night, May 7 at 8pm, more husband: “We were already three – father,
to donate to the wounded.” than 500 victims of terror, counsellors mother, and Ma’ayan. Yoni went to war and
and friends will gather in the garden of the promised we would celebrate our wedding
As the wave of suicide bomb attacks OneFamily Center in Jerusalem to mark anniversary together and travel far away.
continued to ravage the country, the solemn event, as one big family. The Yoni traveled far away. Too far. Without me.
Belzberg (and her husband Marc), annual occasion provides a platform for With one hand I held onto Ma’ayan. A soft
realized there was an immense need victims to share their personal stories of loss. baby with beautiful eyes like her father’s.
And with my other hand, I hugged those who
came to comfort me. What comfort? I wanted
Yoni himself to come and hug me…”
And Noa Bukris, who so misses her sister
Hadar: “Sunday November 22, 2015. I had
an alert on my cellphone telling me there was
a stabbing at the Gush Etzion junction. I was
angry. I said to myself, enough! I don’t have
the strength to hear about these attacks every
day and so I put the phone away. But this
time it wasn’t just an alert. It was my sister.
Hadar was dead. I felt like my heart had
exploded. Without a hospital, without a final
word. Without one last hug…”

Last year’s Yom HaZikaron ceremony at OneFamily (Meir Pawlowski)
Now, OneFamily provides those hugs.