Israel – One Family – Overcoming Terror Together
We are excited to share with you what has been going on at OneFamily this past month. After two full years of restrictions, OneFamily kicked off the summer with a jam-packed schedule full of retreats, workshops, trips, classes, and more for victims of terror.
Read below to see some of the activities that opened in summer 2022 here at OneFamily
OneFamily’s Orphans of both parents division opened up the summer with a fabulous beach party and therapeutic sand castle building workshop. The Orphans and their children were able to work together to create out-of-the-ordinary sand castles!
OneFamily’s Soccer Team began the summer by competing in an annual soccer tournament in Eilat. Though we did not take home a trophy, the teamwork and healing that was felt throughout the tournament was bigger than any win!
There are no words that can fully transcribe the immense tragedy and heartbreak that befalls the victims of terrorism and their families. At OneFamily, we have a program that brings seminary students studying in Israel to volunteer with these families. These volunteers go to their homes and are there to help and assist them in any way they possibly can. Whether it be helping them with the children, taking care of the house, or just being a friendly face, these girls are there to help these families through the toughest periods of their lives.
These girls who are here studying in Israel choose to give up their time to form relationships and come to understand the needs of these families. And while on the surface it seems as though these volunteers do so much for these families, it also should be noted how much this experience gives back to the volunteers. The experiences and bonds the volunteers form with their families are invaluable. Tsilya Schneier, one of the volunteers who worked with a family in Beit Hakerem said, “I feel like I am part of the family.”
During the week of Purim, Kayla Frenkel and Gila Green who volunteered with a family in Ma’alot Daphna received holiday gift baskets from the family they work with, with notes inside expressing appreciation for all they have done. The girls were extremely moved by this gesture, that this family who was struggling so much emotionally took time to make their volunteers feel so special and loved. As much as the volunteers give, they also gain so much in the form of love and experience.
Their experiences volunteering with OneFamily solidified for them the belief that there is no such thing as a wasted moment, that from every experience of helping others, one will always walk away with something more valuable than when they arrived. These girls have shown, that when we show true chessed (love between people) and compassion, we can accomplish miracles.
OneFamily held three-day bereaved parents retreat in Haifa. The three-day retreat had over 200 bereaved parents from all over Israel. The group was able to heal and bond through various workshops, activities, and trips. The group was able to relax and restore strength together in a safe environment.
Children affected by terrorism tend to fall through the cracks of the public and governmental system. OneFamily created the Big Brother/ Big Sister Program to help ease the pain of these children. Hodaya and Shelley have spent the year doing a variety of different things together, playing basketball, sitting in the park, or just eating lunch and talking with each other.
They worked together to become better at sharing feelings and experiences with each other. There were some ups and downs, but we were able to get through them all together with joy and humor. Hodaya said, “It was good and it will be good and from here we continue into the unknown. Yitzchak and Aviad shared some of the activities that they did this year. “We went to a basketball game at the arena and visited the Western Wall. We also participated in many of the OF activities together, like camps, Jerusalem Marathon, and much more.”
The Big Brother and Sister participants shared with OneFamily how they are excited to begin the summer and that they have a lot planned together!
OneFamily’s summer has just begun! The countdown has already begun for our annual bereaved children’s summer camp, only a week away!
Upcoming Summer Events:
- Summer Orphans Retreat
- Summer Retreat for Young Adults
- Summer Widows Retreat
- Summer Injured Retreat
For more information about “One Family” follow this link: https://onefamilytogether.org/
We Will Wait For You – Yishai Ribo and Natan Goshen with OneFamily
Famous Israeli singers, Yishai Ribo and Natan Goshen, sing their hit song, “With a shattered heart we will wait for You to welcome us” with OneFamily. JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN :
