May 13, 2009
For the terror victims who are ultra-orthodox, there are few outlets for their pain. Together with professional support, NAVAH met with a group of about 15 religious women whose lives have been affected by terror. Some women have lost children in terrorist attacks, while others have lost husbands and are now raising their children alone. These women do not partake in many of NAVAH’s regular events, so we made the extra effort to reach them in a more subtle way.
Hosted by a wonderful family in Bnei Brak, breakfast, refreshments and hot drinks were served. A respected lecturer came to speak about belief and faith. The women introduced themselves and shared their heart-wrenching stories. They relayed their difficulties and their daily struggles. They gave encouragement and support to one another, not only with their words, but more so with the silence of their understanding.
We would like to share with you the story that Ora Cohen shared with us.
“It was six years ago that I took my husband and five children to the Western Wall to pray. We took the #2 bus to return home after a long day. That was the bus ride that changed our lives forever. There was a huge explosion from a suicide bomber and my world went dark. It was chaotic. I was injured and rushed to the hospital with no idea of what had happed to the rest of my family. I had been holding my one-month-old son on my lap and I had no idea what had happened to him. I feared the worst. After what seemed to be an eternity, I learned that my one-month-old had been found under a tremendous amount of rubble and thank G-d he was alive. My husband was injured and had been transported to a different hospital on the other side of town. My two-year-old daughter had been taken to the same hospital as I, however the doctors had just informed me that they needed to do emergency surgery to remove one of her eyes. The doctors were pressuring me to sign the papers that enabled them to go ahead with the surgery, but how could I make such a big decision alone? There was no way for me to reach my husband. I had no other family in Israel. I broke down hysterical. How much more could I handle all by myself? I cried as I had never cried before. And that is when there was a soft knock on the door. A woman holding a gift box and teddy bear with a “hug for you” came in. She was from NAVAH she explained, an organization that brings messages of love and care from people around the world. I was so touched. Here I was, feeling alone in the world and these people, complete strangers, were making the effort to show me that I was truly not alone in my pain. I calmed down enough to know that I could not make the decision regarding my daughter’s operation quickly. I needed to speak with other professionals. The end of the story is that we did in fact go through with the surgery and with the help of G-d, her eye was not removed. Although she cannot see well, she can still see shades of color. It has been a long and tedious journey to recovery. The gift box that NAVAH brought to me on the first day in the hospital has stayed with me all these years. I use it to keep all my daughter’s medical documents in, knowing that although I am going through a hard time, there is always someone out there who cares.”
NAVAH received the following thank you letter the next day by fax “To the wonderful people at NAVAH, Thank you so so much for the meeting yesterday. We thoroughly enjoyed. It gives us all a sweet taste and good feeling in our hearts, like everything else you do. My home is open, please feel free to use it for next time. With love, A.K.”
NAVAH plans to have these therapeutic support meetings once a month. We will keep you updated.
If you would like to send flowers to one of these women for the upcoming holiday of Shavuot, please click the following link http://navah.org.il/JoinShavuot.asp .
Thank you for your continuous support to NAVAH.