“Come out or stay in,” said Sarri Singer, about the upcoming virtual 5K, planned for May 21-23. The focus is on participation, rather than fundraising. Supporters and victims are encouraged to do anything they wish that will engender unity for them, in the name of Strength to Strength. However, some participants have taken it upon themselves to fundraise as well. Herself a terror survivor of the June 11, 2003, Jerusalem #14 bus bombing, Singer is the founder and director of Strength to Strength. In the words of Rachel Beer, family member of a victim who did not survive that same terror attack, Singer is the “mastermind” of the organization.
Strength to Strength is an all-volunteer organization whose members are victims, family of victims, anyone impacted or affected by terrorism and others who want to be supportive. Their mission is to bring together victims of terrorism from around the world, in order to share experiences through peer-to-peer support, and move forward with their lives despite the trauma they have endured.
Strength to Strength has a membership roster that spans the globe, and is a non-denominational, cross cultural-organization. Many others who are not survivors choose to get involved with Strength to Strength purely to add their support and solidarity. The global network includes partner organizations in numerous countries besides Israel and the U.S. who have also endured terrorism within their national borders. Included, but not exclusively, are Northern Ireland, the U.K., Algeria, Uganda, Belgium, Kenya, Canada, Iraq and Australia. According to Singer, all funds are used for providing retreats, various kinds of support to victims and families of victims, education and giving a voice to victims.
Shayna Elliot is the race chair. Shayna is also a terror survivor. Relating her own story, she said, “In 2002 I was gunned down by a terrorist…shot in the chest and dead on arrival at Shaare Tzedek. Miraculously, I lived to tell my story. Strength to Strength has given me a community, support and courage that life after trauma can be confident and wonderful…I’m eternally grateful.”
Singer added, “The physical injuries are nothing sometimes, compared to long-term psychological impact.”
Strength to Strength recognizes the ongoing and latent effects of terrorism trauma, so the support and opportunities to share must therefore be enduring as well. “We have taken it as our motto, ‘survivors healing survivors,’ recognizing that we are all responsible for each other and that those directly impacted by terrorism by injury or the loss of a loved one deserve no less than our very best,” said Singer. In testimony given before the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in February of 2016, Singer testified that, “We must do everything to make sure no more lives are ruined by terror, and we must remember that victims need support from their family, friends, community and especially their government.”
Strength to Strength will help assure that support, and the virtual 5K is a flexible opportunity for the community to join in that support on May 21-23.
Rachel and Rabbi Uzi Beer have established a family team, and will participate remotely. They made team T-shirts and will carry a Beer Team banner: “No matter what.” To join in almost any way you like, you can register by going to the event website: http://tiny.cc/RaceForStrength.
To get involved in other ways with the organization, please contact them by email at [email protected].
