June 29, 2015 was a day that changed Sara Rosenfeld’s life forever. On that afternoon, her son Malachi was heading home from a basketball game with some friends when their car was ambushed by Arab terrorists near Shvut Rachel along Route 60. All four boys were shot, with Malachi sustaining the most serious injuries.
In the frantic effort to save his life, a medevac helicopter was summoned to transport him quickly to the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, the helicopter was unable to land due to fears that there was a second terrorist sniper still on the scene. Instead, an ambulance was dispatched and he was transported to the nearest hospital—Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem.
Even with its sirens blaring, it took nearly an hour by the time Malachi reached Shaare Zedek. Tragically, upon his arrival at Shaare Zedek, Malachi died from his wounds and the tremendous loss of blood.
His funeral, including his father Eliezer’s heart-wrenching eulogy, was broadcast worldwide and sent shockwaves throughout the Jewish community. The outpouring of sympathy and support was overwhelming as people around the globe visited and sent their condolences to the Rosenfelds.
Malachi’s mother, Sara, was reeling from the tragedy. She had now lost two sons. Her oldest son, Yitzchaki, a decorated pilot in the IAF, had perished 14 years earlier in a jeeping accident. Now the pain was too much to bear but she knew that something must be done to help ensure that no other mother would endure her suffering.
To Sara and her neighbors in the Binyamin region of Israel, the lack of a local hospital is dangerous and unconscionable. It is an area of roughly 65,000 residents, yet the closest hospital to serve them is 40–60 miles away. There is just one, often congested, direct route to Shaare Zedek and others have suffered a similar fate to Malachi’s due to this untenable reality.
Sara heard about One Israel Fund’s determination to build a new state-of-the-art medical center in the heart of Binyamin and reached out to see how she could assist in this monumental endeavor.
On Monday, September 19, Sara served as the Keynote Speaker at One Israel Fund’s 22nd Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Lower Manhattan. She spoke of the horrors that her family has endured, but also of the deep faith that has preserved them throughout their ordeal. She is a woman who exudes great inner strength. Her story is at once heartbreaking and compelling and many listeners in the room were moved to tears. But her story is also one of incredible triumph, for she and her husband are proud of the wonderful family they have raised as founding families in the community of Kochav Hashachar. Today, they have 7 surviving children and 12 grandchildren.
Her speech formally launched One Israel Fund’s newest and most ambitious project to date—the construction of the multi-million dollar Binyamin Medical Center. The medical center now takes its place among One Israel Fund’s many other critical projects, including the Pina Chama project, which was also highlighted at the dinner. Pina Chama (The Warm Corner) is a unique concept. It aims to bring relaxing respite centers to cities across Israel where soldiers can relax after a grueling day on patrol and enjoy delicious home-baked food and drinks. It is staffed by volunteers and all of the baked goods are donated by residents of each host community.
After introducing the Pina Chama project in a moving video, the floor was opened as the audience texted their pledges to support the initiative. In just a few minutes, over $14,000 was pledged towards the project, which currently has locations in Gush Etzion, Hevron, Michmash, Shilo and the Jordan Valley. There are plans for a new Pina Chama to open at Beit El Junction. These funds will benefit the existing locations as well as new locales.
Security concerns are still a primary focus of One Israel Fund and a new video series, entitled “Coffee With Marc” was debuted at the dinner. Director of Security Projects Marc Provisor starred in a short video with a behind-the-scenes update of security needs and successes from the field. Over the next few months, this series will be seen monthly on One Israel Fund’s Facebook and other social media outlets.
The dinner also paid tribute to three special couples who have played pivotal roles in furthering the organization’s mission both here and in Israel. Hakarat Hatov Awardees Dr. Dov & Amy Snow, Bonei Yisrael Awardees Eli & Esther Arakanchi and Manhigut Tze’irim Awardees Gavi & Tali Hoffman have all made an indelible impact on the residents of Israel through their involvement with One Israel Fund.
This year’s dinner was graced by the renowned Master of Ceremonies, Nachum Segal, and featured a stirring performance by Cantor Joel Kaplan of Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence. It was an emotional evening that energized participants to get even more involved in supporting this important organization.
To find out how you can take part in One Israel Fund’s critical work, go to OneIsraelFund.org.
