After the massacre on October 7, 2023, thousands of Israelis were evacuated to hotels. Suddenly uprooted from their homes, they were in desperate need of structure and entertainment. Volunteers were recruited to conduct classes for the school-age children, help parents take care of their toddlers, provide adults with activities and find creative ways of entertaining the children. Penny Thau, who lives in Beit Shemesh, realized that as a jewelry designer she could use her talents to create a workshop for both children and adults. The “Stand With Israel” charm-making bracelet chug was born.
In addition to designing jewelry, Thau, originally from New Rochelle, is a cognitive behavioral therapist and author. She has three sons, a stepson, a daughter-in-law and a nephew who have all been called up to serve in the war.
Thau, working together with Limor Lerman, the owner of Elad Castings, designed and produced Israeli-themed, silver-plated charms. Thau’s first workshop was held in the Neve Ilan Hotel for evacuees from the Shokeda. Thau and three volunteers were prepared to create bracelets with 15 girls. As the workshop progressed, more youngsters began peeping into the room, all wanting to get involved with the activity. Thau and her volunteers improvised to accommodate the growing interest, and the group soon began making their own “Stand with Israel” bracelets. “The girls were entertained and proud of their hand-made jewelry,” Thau said. “Most importantly, the girls felt our love and support.”
Yael, a resident of Netiot, planned to celebrate her bat mitzvah on October 10, 2023. When her family was evacuated, plans were put on hold. In December, Yael celebrated her bat mitzvah at the Eitz haKodesh shul in Beit Shemesh. Thau and Julie Selesny-Levi participated in the celebration by conducting a jewelry-making chug. “The girls and women were thankful for our caring and empathy,” explained Thau. One attendee shared that she would now look at her bracelet whenever she heard an azaka (siren) and it would provide comfort for her. In appreciation, the girls created a short video, using the modern version of the song “Am Yisrael Chai” as the background music.
When Thau posted her idea about conducting the workshops on social media, a suggestion was made to host one in her community, not only for evacuees but for the many others affected by the war, “which is everyone,” Thau explained. A workshop was conducted in the Netzach Menashe shul in Beit Shemesh. Children made their own bracelets and asked if they could make more for friends and relatives. One mom said the workshop was “soothing” for her daughter. Thau knew then that the workshop had been a success.
There are six charms on the bracelets. They feature images and slogans that are popular in Israel today. One features the words “Me she ma’amin lo mefached” (“Whoever has faith won’t be afraid”), lyrics to Eyal Golan’s song that many IDF soldiers who are entering Aza sing. Thau said, “The soldiers are confident that G-d will help us win this war and we are confident, too.” Another charm sports the words “Be’ezrat Hashem biychad ne’natzeach” (“With God’s help we will win”) This slogan can be seen on signs and billboards throughout Israel.
Thau and Lerman are creating a seventh charm, which will depict the Milchemet Chervot Habarzel (Swords of Iron) logo on one side and the words “Yavo’ou yamim tovim” (“Good days will come”) on the opposite side. These words are from the Yagel Oshri song “Latzeit Me’dikaon” (“Getting Over Depression”),which is often used as background music in videos showing soldiers coming home from war to surprise their loved ones.
In response to the request from women to buy their own bracelets, Thau began selling both the bracelets and kits to make them. One group of women acting as ‘buddies’ for women whose husbands had been deployed, purchased bracelets to give to them as Chanukah gifts. The bracelets were also featured in the Regal Productions video “Take My Hand.”
Thau hopes the workshops will continue and that she will have volunteers who “want to help put a glimmer of optimism into a situation that is scary and unpredictable.” She compared her bracelets to the silicon support bracelets of the early 1990s. “Today, wearing the bracelets makes a strong statement. We will stand with Israel during a time when Israel needs it most.”
For further information about the ‘Stand With Israel” charm bracelets, please contact Penny Thau on Whatsapp at 054-656-5192 or visit the website: https://bit.ly/IsraelUnityCharmBracelets
