One Family: Israel- No Victim Is Left Alone
OneFamily joins the entire nation in tears and anguish over the horrible murder of 12 children in Majdal Shams this week. Forty more were injured in the Hezbollah rocket strike. Many people do not know the amount of presence and support we offer to the Druze community who has consistently suffered losses throughout all of Israel’s ongoing battle with terror. We will be here to help these shattered families (and entire village) from this tragedy as we have been for the Druze community for our 22 years.
We also extend our condolences to the family of Yevgeny Ferder, whose life was tragically cut short by the Houthi strike on Tel Aviv, Yonatan Aharon Greenblatt, who died of wounds sustained in battle, the families of hostages Alex Dancyg and Yagev Buchshtav, who were notified about their deaths in captivity, and the families of hostages Ravid Katz, Oren Goldin, Maya Goren, Sgt. Kiril Brodski, and Staff Sgt. Tomer Yaakov Ahimas, whose bodies were found in tunnels in Gaza.
Each of us must remember that the war isn’t over, and while we work so hard to reach every victim, every parent, spouse, sibling and child… our numbers just keep going up. As we get to know more in our family, and reach families one by one, we are expanding all of our work, to try to meet the needs of each person, and to touch each heart in the way that is most effective for them.
Rehabilitation and Healing in Pastoral Amirim with Doron and Tali Sheffer
We recently hosted one of our “From Grief to Growth” retreats in the beautiful hills of Moshav Amirim in partnership with the wonderful Doron and Tali Sheffer. Ten of our young adults who have lost a loved one this year spent five days at the gorgeous Hyuli natural health center who created this guided healing project in direct response to October 7th and the ensuing war.
Among the participants was Almog, whose world was shattered on October 7 when her brother, Or, was tragically killed in the fierce battle at Nahal Oz. Her birthday fell during the retreat, a day she didn’t plan to mark while still grieving her brother. Celebrating felt impossible. Yet, from the power of the retreat and being surrounded by a supportive and understanding community, Almog took a step forward in her healing and allowed herself to be celebrated.
The retreat served as a sanctuary where participants, all bearing their own deep wounds, found comfort in shared experiences. Together, they immersed themselves in nature’s healing embrace, engaged in soothing yoga sessions, and participated in transformative workshops. This was more than a getaway; they were a lifeline. As one participant reflected, “You saw me this week, far from my roots. I exposed more of myself than even my close family knows.”
After the retreat, another participant shared, “I finally found a place where we can be bereaved siblings without being looked at differently or asked how we’re doing. Here, everyone was different, but we all came together. If this is what the people of Israel can be like, then this is how I want us to be – different opinions and different lifestyles, but everyone got along and respected each other. This is how we should always be.”
We look forward to continuing our partnership with Doron and Talia and bringing more small groups as we see it is such a successful retreat. At the moment, Moshav Amirim is in northern Israel, where tensions are escalating, and future retreats are temporarily on hold until it is deemed safe once again. We all pray it will be as soon as possible.
Celebrating Family Milestones: Our Annual Aquarium Welcome to First Grade
Each year, OneFamily celebrates and lifts up the bereaved children in Israel who are entering first grade in the fall. The annual outing commemorating their “rise up” to grade school is sponsored in memory of Stanley Hechtman zt’l, who never had children, but always wanted to bring them joy.
Each year, we make a point of marking this important milestone for and with them – because that’s what family does. This year, 180 children, parents, and siblings joined us for the day at the Jerusalem Aquarium for a private tour, presentation, snacks, and gifts of new backpacks.
Some who have sadly joined us this year have been evacuated from their homes. These children have yet to settle into their new accommodations and are now expected to start their education in new and unfamiliar surroundings.I had a chance to speak to everyone, encouraging them to continue to turn to us – however, whenever. The new backpacks for school that we gifted them symbolize that OneFamily will always be here to support them.
Three girls who are living with the devastating loss of a sibling have joined Camp Kanfei Nesharim and forty other teens for a summer adventure in New Zealand and Australia.
Thanks to a generous donor, these teens can process their grief while surrounded by supportive new friends and enjoying new experiences.
They received a special send-off at the airport by family and OneFamily staff. They have since arrived in New Zealand, where they went skiing in July!
We know they are still in the middle of having the time of their lives. We wish them a wonderful summer and will share more as their time down under unfolds!
Hundreds of Wounded Heroes
Since October 7th, the tragic deaths have often been shared around the world. Meanwhile, few understand the number of wounded heroes who have survived… and just what this means for them, and for their families.
The war has seen many soldiers injured and turned the lives of their parents upside down. The number of disabled IDF soldiers treated at the Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Division has surpassed 70,000 since 8,663 wounded men and women (and counting,..) have joined the Division since October 7th.
Headlines say “seriously wounded” and then move on, families are left having to adjust to a new reality – forever. Along with the gratitude that they are here with us, there are a long list of needs and challenges for the whole family.
One of the many adjustments we have made since October 7th is a necessary large expansion of programs and services for our wounded warriors and their wives, children and parents. While the government sponsors rehabilitation and care, the strain and stress that is also put upon their spouses, children, and parents is not something that the state currently supports. We are there.
We recently hosted a much-needed day of care and comfort for the mothers of our wounded. The women came from all over the country and enjoyed manicures, massages, and a luxurious lunch. Most importantly, they had the opportunity to meet and connect with other mothers enduring the same pain and hardships.
With the mounting challenges and responsibilities, they haven’t had one minute to think of themselves for these long months. It is so important that we be there to take care of those taking care of so many others!
Judi Felber joined the group to share words of strength and encouragement for the many new mothers adjusting to their new reality. In 2018, Judi’s son Netanel was severely injured in a 2018 shooting attack in the West Bank while serving in the IDF. Since then, Judi has been fighting so hard for Netanel, supporting him in every way. While his journey to recovery has been long and difficult, Netanel has defied medical odds with his mother’s help.
Fathers of Heroes
We hosted close to thirty fathers of our wounded heroes. They talked with others facing the same heartbreak, enjoyed a delicious barbeque and went home with a whiskey glass, chocolate, new friends, and a new support system. .
Hero Couples
The wives of the wounded soldiers are some of the strongest, most powerful, resilient, and hard-working people in this country. In addition to supporting their husband’s surgeries, physical therapy, adjustments to the house, and far more, they are supporting their children and running the house with new heights of responsibility. It is certainly an unspeakable challenge on any relationship. The love and devotion to their partner and to the nation is beyond description, but someone must help them withstand the ongoing hard work and stress.
OneFamily recently hosted a fun evening out just for couples to laugh and reconnect – as couples – in Modiin. Over 20 couples had a gorgeous dinner, lighthearted sessions of comedy and improv that touched on the challenges of both husband and wife, and left with gifts from us and from the community! We look forward to continuing to offering them opportunities to “catch their breath” and enjoy each other.
Hero Children
Abba may finally be home from the hospital (or not) but life is different. Many children of our wounded heroes have had to move into a home that is more “handicap accessible”, which may mean new schools. There are so many changes, and this summer is anything but normal.
OneFamily hosted the families of our wounded heroes at the Magic Kass amusement park. Over 150 participants had a full day of rides, games, snacks and fun gifted to just pause and have a taste of “normal summer” for the day. Many of the families are quite familiar with OneFamily already from our hospital and rehab visits and regular programs and support groups. Yet there are others for whom this was an entry-point for us to be able to step in and get to know them and help.
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Marc Belzberg Chairman, OneFamily |
