NAVAH'S ACTIVITIES

Annual NAVAH Passover Retreat 2008 Provides Strength and Hope

Dear Friends,

The month of April was an extremely busy time for NAVAH's staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make our fifth annual Passover retreat a smashing success. Thanks to the generosity of our friends and supporters worldwide, we were able to host over 300 Israeli victims of terror and war and their families, at Be'er Sheva's Golden Tulip Hotel from April 18-21. The retreat provided the families with the strength and support they so desperately need, especially during the holidays when their feelings of pain and loss are amplified.

Through group therapy sessions, a festive communal Holiday Seder, special programming for both adults and their children, as well as ample free time together with other participants, the victims were provided with a forum in which they could express themselves freely with a unique group of peers who truly empathized with their tragedies.

I would just like to share with you (see below) a brief sample of some of the moving thoughts and emotions expressed by participants during the retreat, as well as their feelings of appreciation and gratitude towards Again, NAVAH would like to thank all of our friends and supporters worldwide who helped make this year's retreat a reality. We could not have done it without you. We are grateful for your support in this program and in all of our other initiatives throughout the year.

Sincerely,
Tehila Friedman, Executive Director NAVAH

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Participants Share their Experiences

Daniela K.

For Daniela, life will never be the same. Seven years ago, her 29-year old son was murdered in a suicide bombing while traveling in a minibus on the Wadi Ara Highway. Daniela says that while some claim that “time heals all wounds” that is not the case, and her pain only intensifies with the passing of years. “Seeing my son under his chupah (wedding canopy) or playing with my grandchildren from him,” says Daniela, “that will never happen.” Daniela admits that when the holidays approach, especially Passover, she finds it to be a particularly difficult time. “Even just going to the supermarket, brings out my emotions,” she says. “My son used to come with me, and help me do the shopping. Now he’s gone, and I don’t even feel like leaving the house to make the necessary preparations leading up to the Holiday.” “However”, she continues, “thanks to the NAVAH organization and their Passover retreat, I know that someone is out there for me, and that I am not alone. NAVAH thinks of every minute detail to ensure that we are all comfortable for the Holiday. They truly understand our pain, and are so careful to ensure that we have as joyful of a holiday possible despite the circumstances.” Daniela also raves about the children’s programs that NAVAH offers so that surviving children, many of whom have experienced similar tragedies, can see firsthand that there are others like them. “In short,” says Daniela, “I love to be with NAVAH for the holidays. I don’t have enough words, to give NAVAH my thanks.

Dr. B

Dr. B. is a licensed Jerusalem psychotherapist, specializing in psychodrama. He was invited to this year’s retreat to offer numerous group psychodrama sessions to NAVAH’s program participants. “My goal,” said Dr. B., “was to help the participants express their troubling thoughts and emotions in a group setting using psychodrama, so that they could rid themselves of extremely negative and disturbing feelings. There were numerous sessions throughout the retreat, in which men and women, separated by gender, had the opportunity to role-play, and act out their life situations in order to help ‘put to bed’ unfinished business.” “The sessions were extremely moving and powerful,” said Dr. B. "Those involved were able to express themselves and really channel their feelings. There are so many family issues that come into play during the holidays, especially since many people at the retreat, actually lost a family member during the holidays themselves.” “The main focus at our closing session at the end of the retreat was to teach the participants how to express optimism about the future, and how to focus their positive energies on surviving family members and other aspects of life that might emit some degrees of happiness. I truly believe that by our closing session, the participants were given some very important tools to cope throughout the year” Dr. B concluded, “This entire experience was extremely rewarding. I commend NAVAH for taking on this important initiative.”

Korin B.

Korin has been living a nightmare every single day over the past six years. She along with her husband and three children had just sat down to enjoy their Passover Seder in Netanya's Park Hotel in March of 2002, when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives inside the packed dining hall. 29 Israelis died in the attack, including Korin's husband. In addition, Korin and her three children were all injured in the attack, with her eldest daughter suffering severe wounds. Today she remains partially paralyzed and is only able to walk with assistance. Korin says that despite her pain, she is always very eager to be invited to NAVAH's Passover retreat. "I can't make Passover anymore," she says. "I tried to do the Seder on my own after the first year, but it is much too difficult with my beloved husband missing. On top of that, Seder night is actually the anniversary of our tragedy, thus making it that much more trying. But that is where NAVAH comes in and truly eases the burden for us." Korin adds, that NAVAH is extremely accommodating allowing her extended family to join her on Passover, thus helping to 'get through' this difficult time period. "This year, my parents and in-laws, who of course are also grieving, were given the opportunity to attend the retreat. Thanks to NAVAH, we could be together as a family to provide each other support. I hope that NAVAH continues to invite us, because I would never say 'no'. Thank G-d for the all the hard work that the NAVAH organization does for the victims and their families."













If you like to support next year's Passover retreat or NAVAH's year-round programs for victims and their families, please contact us at
Email: main@navah.org.il,
www.Navah.org.il

Or send your tax-deductable contributions to:

The Navah Organizaition
156 Carasaljo Dr.
Lakewood NJ 08701
USA

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September – December 2006

 

Starting the Year Off Right

At the beginning of the school year, NAVAH distributed hundreds of knapsacks and school supplies to terror victim children throughout Israel . This campaign was specifically geared to children of poor families that had been referred to us by social workers.

Rutie, a volunteer of NAVAH, described her experience with one family that she went to in the downtown Jerusalem area. The father of this family was injured in a terrorist attack three years ago and has been unable to return to work since. Rutie explains, ‘I walked into their tiny 2-bedroom apartment to see six eager children waiting to see what I had brought for them. The apartment is completely bare. Mattresses on the floor with no sheets. I took out the knapsacks filled with all different school items and showed them to the children. I cannot explain how wide their eyes were and how big their smiles. The children explained to me that they had never had knapsacks before - usually they brought their books to school in shopping bags. I couldn't believe how wonderful this simple act made these children feel.'

NAVAH thanks you for taking part in this kindness and enabling hundreds of children to start the year off right – like any other child would.

 

Sweetening the Jewish New Year

As a result of this war this summer, many families have lost loved ones and have found it extremely difficult to return to normal life and begin the New Year.

On your behalf, NAVAH distributed hundreds of holiday gift packages to these families. We wanted them to know that they are not alone in their pain and to know that people worldwide are praying for a new beginning and a better year for all of them.

NAVAH also mailed out a thousand Shana Tova cards to terror victims and bereaved families throughout Israel . The cards contained a beautiful poem wishing hope and happiness for the future.

 

Trip for Terror Victim Children

60 terror victim children from the Jerusalem area took part in this trip to Beit Chalumatai which is a fun house for children. For the entire day, these children that suffer so much were able to just act like regular kids and enjoy themselves.

Five children from the Marion family participated in this trip. Yehuda Marion, age 9 was injured in a bus bombing three years ago. He has thank G-d recuperated, however the family has struggled through his difficult recovery. Since the parents are now divorced and the mother is raising the children alone, there is a tremendous financial strain and they find it impossible to enjoy time together. This trip gave them all the opportunity to enjoy a carefree day of fun and laughter. At the end of the day, with a broad smile on his face, Yehuda said, ‘I almost forgot what a happy family looks like. Thank you for reminding me.'

 

A very special and heartwarming thank you to Rabbi Benjamin Yasgur and the students at HANC who sponsored this important trip.

 

An Evening Out for Terror Victim Couples

On a chilly evening in November, NAVAH brought together 50 couples that were affected by terrorism to share a relaxed and enjoyable evening. A famous graphologist, Moshe Sar, gave an interesting lecture and analyzed everyone's personality through their signatures and handwriting.

One memorable moment was when the graphologist pointed out to Mr. K, whose brother was killed in a terrorist attack, that he sees by his signature that he has absolutely no luck with money. After a moment of silence, Mr. K. stands up and says, ‘What do I need to run after silver when I have pure gold at home?' And with that, he gave his wife a huge hug and kiss.

Not only did these couples enjoy an exciting evening out, they were able to spend quality time together without the regular distractions and hardships that they constantly deal with at home. They provided each other with support and encouragement and had a very nice time.

 

 

Breakfast of Friends

Twenty-five women gathered together to share breakfast and their memories.

Exactly one year ago, these twenty-five women survived the horrific terrorist attack in the Sharon Mall in Netanya. NAVAH brought them together at the Tulip Café to share their experiences of that terrible day and enable them to offer their companionship and friendship to one another.

NAVAH also organized a breakfast event specifically for ultra-orthodox women that were on the #2 terrorist bus attack three years ago. Due to the circumstances and religious connection of these women, they all had the opportunity to share their feelings and offer support to each other. The event included art therapy and other forms of expression and was extremely beneficial for all the participants.

 

Our Hearts are With You…

Two years ago, Ella Abukasis threw herself over her brother, Tamir, in order to protect him from an oncoming missile. Through her courageous act, Tamir was saved, but unfortunately Ella was killed. In November, Tamir shared his bar mitzvah with hundreds of people and had a special ceremony to give thanks for being alive. NAVAH shared this bittersweet event that celebrated Tamir's life and commemorated Ella's death.

In November 2005 the Tzumai family lost their 20 year old son in a terrorist attack in Netanya. On the one-year anniversary of his death, NAVAH shared this time with his family and took part in a ceremony that memorialized his short and meaningful life.

Our hearts are with the thousands of bereaved families.

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