(Courtesy of OneFamily) That’s when OneFamily steps in to help victims cope with the aftermath and rebuild their lives. Our office is operating in emergency mode. We mobilized 50 volunteers to set up a control center for the wounded, the dead and their children, parents and siblings. We are visiting the injured and bereaved families, offering emotional counseling, guidance and financial resources to those in need.
Lea YomTov z”l was killed by direct rocket fire in her home. When OneFamily Fund (OFF) coordinator Nava paid a shiva call, her sons already knew who she was because they knew how much Nava did for their cousin, who was injured in a terrorist attack in 2003. Lea’s two sons were very moved that Nava came to the shiva house, and they already want to volunteer for and support OneFamily.
21 year old Omer, a soldier in the IDF, was killed by rocketfire in the south. Hamas continued shooting rockets after reports of injuries and death, so that first responders couldn’t reach them for medical treatment. Batya, a coordinator from OneFamily, along with five bereaved parents went to the shiva house to console Omer’s family and let them know of the community which now exists through OFF for bereaved parents and siblings.
Please pray for Elad ben Julia, a teacher and 38-year-old father of four, who was caught in a lynch. Elad deliberately went there to prevent his students from fighting back. Elad was promoting peace and coexistence. Palestinians beat him with a brick and he is now in a coma due to head injuries. Batya went to offer emotional support to his family, while we wait for his attack to be classified as terror.
Two weeks ago at Tapuach Junction, three boys were shot by terrorists while waiting for a bus back to school. They were part of a program which allowed them to serve in the army part time and study in yeshiva part time. An 18-year-old boy named Bnaya Israel ben Aviva (please pray for him) was paralyzed from the neck down, while his friend Yehudah Guetta was killed. Doctors are not sure if the damage to Bnaya is permanent, and he has already undergone multiple surgeries. Bnaya suffers from recurring high fevers and respiratory distress. Nava from OneFamily arranged Shabbat food for his observant family who stayed in the hospital, at his side. Bnaya’s mother is a kindergarten teacher, and his father does marketing, although both have stopped working temporarily to be with their son. OneFamily would like to raise financial assistance for this family, so they can care for him at this critical time, and help with the extensive medical bills.
The emotional scars from the trauma sustained will take far longer to heal than the physical injuries. PTSD is the major block preventing victims from adjusting. OneFamily will stand strong by these victims for as long as they need us, providing for their needs, offering emotional treatment and slowly introducing joy. We estimate a preliminary need of $3M for additional resources for the newest victims. Let’s start rebuilding their daily lives right now; here’s how you can help:
Write letters of encouragement, solidarity and care, which we will distribute to victims. Please email them to [email protected].
Donate generously at www.OneFamilyTogether.org
