inside - OneFamily

ONEFAMILY FUND REPORT
VOLUME lll 2006
INSIDE
Thank You to a Champion
■
Terror In Their Lives
■
Your Power To Change Lives
Forever
■
Nava Applebaum,
Remembered
■
Meaningful Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
www.onefamilyfund.org
www.onefamilyfund.org
.
provides direct financial, legal
and emotional assistance to
the victims of terrorism.
OneFamily
Marc Belzberg, Chairman
DEAR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS OF ONEFAMILY,
Since the outbreak of the most recent Intifadah in 2000, Israel and her people have witnessed
the brutal murder of 1102 people in terror attacks, the injuries of 7600 people, and the emotional and
mental destruction of tens of thousands of people across the country. Terror attacks are not isolated incidents. They cause a ripple effect that has no end.
The mission of the OneFamily Fund is to provide terror victims and their families with the support they need to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of terrorism’s horrific realities. We will be there for
the men, the women, and the children, for their physical, mental, and emotional needs. We will ensure
that no one goes unnoticed; no one will be left to deal alone with the anguish of the effects of terrorism.
These are our people, the people who live in Israel, who protect us whether they are in uniform or not.
They are the ones who stand on the front lines for a people around the world, protecting the values that
we all hold dear - to be a free people in a democratic country. They exemplify the strength to rebuild in
the face of constant destruction.
The OneFamily Fund has spent the past five years rebuilding shattered lives. We have distributed over $12.3 million, providing financial, emotional, material and legal assistance to nearly 2400 victims of terror and their families. The process of rebuilding has manifested itself in all that we do: our programs, retreats, therapy, financial assistance, meeting mental and emotional needs, and the deep personal care that we provide to all those who need help.
We provide victims of terrorism and their families the assistance they need to heal wounds that
have cut deeper than humanly imaginable. However, often the true recovery comes from knowing that
Jews around the world are willing to join in their fight. With your support, you show that Israel is a cause
worth fighting for, and a land worth living in. Your support shows that compassion has no boundaries,
that evil will not defeat us, and that terrorism has no voice.
I want to thank you for being part of this amazing family, and for helping to provide the victims of terror and their families with everything they need. As we move through the year, let us continue
to share our many blessings with others. With what we can give, let us provide support and strengthen the
people of Israel and the protectors of our Holy Land. My best wishes to all of us in this shared endeavor.
Let us hopefully look forward to a time of rejoicing and of peace for the entire nation of Israel.
We are, and will always be, OneFamily.
With deep love and appreciation,
Marc Belzberg
is Israel's central address
providing personalized care
and support to all victims of
the recent terrorism in Israel.
Our Mission
Letter
from the
Chairman
OneFamily
The Root of the OneFamily Tree
The impetus for OneFamily came from Michal Belzberg of Jerusalem. Four years ago,
when she was 12 years old, Michal chose not to have a Bat Mitzvah party but to
donate the money for her simcha to orphans, bereaved families, and wounded victims.
From that generous gesture on the part of the daughter of Chantal and Marc
Belzberg, OneFamily has grown into a large volunteer-based non-profit organization
that helps thousands of victims of terror throughout Israel on a daily basis, and has distributed over twelve million dollars during the last four years.
OneFamily
is the family member every
victim wishes they had:
listening to their problems
with a sensitive ear; giving
because we want to, based
upon need, not institutionalized criteria; and maintaining
ongoing, unconditional oneon-one contact.
OneFamily
forges a sense of family
among all the survivors:
helping each other, learning
from each other, and drawing
strength from each other.
OneFamily
provides the family network
for the world to express and
actuate their natural sense of
brotherhood by facilitating
direct contact, relationships
and interaction between
survivors and world Jewry as
individuals, communities, and
organizations.
Below is a list of just some of the terror attacks between
September 2004 and November 2005:
Sept 24, 2004 - Tiferet Tratner, 24, of Jerusalem was killed in her home
in Neveh Dekalim by a mortar strike on the Gush Katif settlement bloc in
the Gaza Strip. Sept 29, 2004 - Dorit Aniso, 2, and Yuval Abebeh, 4, of
Sderot, were killed by a Kassam rocket fired from Gaza while playing in the
street. Some 20 people were wounded. Sept 30, 2004 - Shulamit Batito,
36, of Nissanit, was shot and killed by Hamas terrorists while jogging on the
road. Sgt. Victor Ariel, 20, of Kadima, a medic, was killed by a grenade
thrown by one of the terrorists as he ran to aid Batito. Oct 6, 2004 Pratheep Nanongkham, 24, a greenhouse worker fromThailand, was killed
when armed Hamas terrorists infiltrated the hothouse area of Kfar Darom
in the southern Gaza Strip. Oct 7, 2004 - A total of 32 people were killed
in terror bombings at two Sinai holiday resorts: 29 at the Taba Hilton and
three at Ras a-Satan. Among the dead were 12 Israelis; over 120 were
wounded.The Israeli victims at Taba: Assaf Greenwald, 27, of Ramat Gan;
Hafez al-Hafi, 39, of Lod; Rotem Moriah, 27, of Tel Aviv; Tzila Niv, 43, and
her two sons, Gilad, 11, and Lior, 3, of Rakefet; Oleg Paizakov, 32, and his
wife Ludmilla, 30, of Bat Yam; and Khalil Zeitounya, 10, of Jaffa. The Israeli
victims at Ras a-Satan: Michal Alexander, 27, of Ganei Tikva; Roy Avisaf,
28, of Kfar Sava; and Einat Naor, 27, of Kibbutz Zikim. Nov 1, 2004 Three people were killed and over 30 wounded in a suicide bombing at the
Carmel Market in central Tel Aviv. The Popular Front for the Liberation of
Palestine in Shchem claimed responsibility for the attack. The victims:
Tatiana Ackerman, 32, of Tel Aviv; Leah Levine, 64, of Givatayim;
and Shmuel Levy, 65, of Jaffa. Dec 14, 2004 - Jitladda Taparsa, 19, a female agricultural worker from Thailand, was
killed and two other foreign workers from Thailand and
Nepal were wounded by mortar shells fired at Ganei Tal in
the Gush Katif settlement bloc from the Gaza Strip. Dec 21,
2004 - Ariella Fahima, 39, of Moshav Nehusha, south of Beit
Shemesh, was stabbed to death at the door to her house by a
terrorist who infiltrated the perimeter fence. Dec 22, 2004 Salem al-Kimlat, 28, a Bedouin from the town of Rahat employed as
a security guard at the construction site of the security fence west of
Hebron, was shot and killed by The Fatah al-Aqsa Palestinian terrorists.
Jan 2, 2005 - Nissim Arbiv, 25, of Nissanit in the Gaza Strip was mortally wounded in a Hamas mortar shell attack while working in the Erez
Industrial Zone. He died on January 11. Two others were wounded in the
attack. Jan 13, 2005 - On Thursday night at the Karni Crossing, Hamas
and the Fatah terrorists infiltrated the Israeli side of the crossing and
opened fire at Israeli civilians. As a result of the explosion and exchanges of
fire, six Israeli civilians and three Palestinian terrorists were killed, and five
Israeli civilians were wounded. The victims: Dror Gizri, 30, of Sderot;
Ibrahim Kahili, 46, of Umm al-Ghanem; Munam Abu Sabia, 33, of
Daburiyeh; Ivan Shmilov, 53, of Sderot; Herzl Shlomo, 51, of Sderot; and
Ofer Tiri, 23, of Ashkelon. Jan 15, 2005 - Ayala-Haya Abukasis, 17, of
Sderot was mortally wounded when a Qassam rocket landed near her and
shrapnel penetrated her cerebellum, leaving her brain dead. She was struck
while protecting her younger brother, who was lightly wounded. She died
on January 21. Feb 25, 2005 - Five people were killed and 50 wounded
Friday night, when a Islamic Jihad suicide bomber blew himself up outside
the Stage club on the Tel Aviv promenade. The victims: Yitzhak Buzaglo, 40,
of Mishmar Hayarden; Aryeh Nagar, 37, of Kfar Sava; Yael Orbach, 28, of
Rehovot; Ronen Reuvenov, 30, of Tel Aviv. Odelia Hubara, 26, of Jerusalem,
died of her wounds on February 28. June 7, 2005 - Three workers were
killed and five wounded when a Kassam rocket hit a packing shed in Ganei
Tal, in Gush Katif, penetrating the building's roof and exploding inside. Bi
Shude, 46, a Chinese worker, was killed along with Salah Ayash Imran, 57,
of Khan Yunis, a married father of 8, and Muhammed Mahmoud Jaroun
of Khan Yunis, both Palestinians. June 20, 2005 - Yevgeny Reider, 28,
of Hermesh, was killed and his 16-year-old nephew was wounded when an
Islamic Jihad terrorist shot at their car near the village of Baka a-Sharkiya.
June 24, 2005 - Avihai Levy, 17, of Beit Hagai was killed in a drive-by
Islamic Jihad terrorist shooting at a hitchhiking stop about 200 meters
from the entrance to Beit Hagai, south of Hebron. Aviad Mansour, 16, of
Otniel, fatally wounded in the attack, died on June 26. Three others were
wounded. July 12, 2005 - Rachel Ben Abu, 16, of Tel Aviv; Nofar
Horowitz, 16, of Tel Aviv; and Julia Voloshin, 31, of Netanya were killed and
about 90 people were wounded when an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonated himself outside Hasharon Mall in Netanya. Anya Lifshitz, 50, of
Netanya, who was mortally wounded, succumbed to her wounds on July
13. Cpl. Moshe Maor Jan, 21, of Netanya died of his wounds on July 14.
July 14, 2005 - Dana Galkowicz, 22, of Kibbutz Bror Hayil, was
killed by a Kassam rocket fired at Netiv Ha'asara north of the
Gaza Strip. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah all claimed responsibility for the attack. July 23, 2005 - Dov Kol, 58, and his
wife Rachel, 53, of Jerusalem, were killed by an Islamic Jihad
terrorist. Aug 24, 2005 - Shmuel Mett, 21, of Britain, a Mir
Yeshiva student, was returning from the Western Wall to the
yeshiva in Jerusalem’s Beit Yisrael neighborhood when he was
fatally stabbed near Jaffa Gate in the Old City. Two other students
were wounded. Aug 28, 2005 - A suicide bomber detonated himself
outside the Beersheba Central Bus Station. Two security guards who
stopped the bomber were severely wounded and about 50 people were
lightly wounded. Sept 21, 2005 - Sasson Nuriel, 55, of Jerusalem was
kidnapped and slain by Hamas terrorists. His body was found on Sept 26
in a garbage dump in the industrial zone of Bitunya, west of Ramallah. Oct
16, 2005 - Matat Adler, 21, and her cousin, Kineret Mandel, 23, both of
Carmel, and Oz Ben-Meir, 15, of Maon were killed and three were wounded when a Fatah Al-Aqsa terrorist opened fire at the Gush Etzion junction
south of Jerusalem. Another teenager was seriously shot and wounded near
Eli, in Samaria. Oct 26, 2005 - 6 people were killed and 50 wounded
when an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber blew himself up in the Hadera outdoor market. The six murdered victims were Jamil Mohammed Ka'adan,
48, of Baka al-Gharbiya; Michael Kaufman, 68, of Hadera; Pirhiya
Machlouf, 53, of Hadera; Sabiha Nissim, 66, of Moshav Ahituv; and Yaakov
Rachmani, 68, of Hadera. Genia Poleis, 66, of Hadera died of her wounds
on November 5. November 2, 2005 - St. Sgt. Yonatan Evron, 20, of
Rishon Lezion, was killed in a gun battle with terrorists near Jenin.
Your power to choose.
change lives forever.
$
$
10,000
6,000
3,000
$
Provide a terror victim with
university tuition for one year.
1,200
$
Give a victim a laptop computer.
250
$
Sponsor a couple for a
therapeutic workshop.
HELP START A
ONEFAMILY CHAPTER
IN YOUR AREA.
Lives
in their
Your power to
Sponsor a therapeutic retreat,
workshop or holiday event.
Terror
Adopt-A-Family for one year.
1,800
$
Twin with a victim for a Bar or Bat
Mitzvah.
500
$
Send a child to summer camp.
OTHER
You decide.
HOST A PARLOR
MEETING IN YOUR HOME
AND LEARN FIRST HAND FROM
TERROR VICTIMS.
EFRAIM of Jerusalem, on January 29, 2004
took bus #19 to visit his daughter and grandchild when a suicide bomber blew up the bus.
His legs were punctured with nails and shrapnel and his eardrums were damaged. He has
spent the last year in
and out of hospitals
getting physical therapy for his legs and
meeting with psychiatrists as he copes
with PTSD. He has
suffered hearing loss
and he can no longer work as a school-keeper
because his PTSD causes him to forget things.
He must take many expensive medications, and
is still waiting for the money that he is entitled
to from National Insurance. OneFamily is
helping Efraim's family move forward.
YAAKOV of Ramot has two beautiful children.
He now feels unable to be an adequate father to
them. He says, "one child grew up with a good
daddy and one grew up with a not so good
daddy." On Janauary 29, 2004 he was riding
bus #19 in Jerusalem when a suicide bomber
blew up the bus. He
sustained
injuries
caused by shrapnel
and can't do 90% of
the things that he used
to because he has been
severely weakened by
his injuries. He was a
soldier in Golani and operated heavy machinery. Following his service he got married,
learned in Kollel, and sold Tefillin. Recently, his
Kollel told him that he must leave because he
could not keep up with his studies. OneFamily
is helping the family cope with rent and furniture for the children.
AVI was ambushed and shot at a junction on
his way home to Tapuach in 2000. He sustained
bullet wounds to his legs and arms. Since the
incident he has moved with his wife to Ramat
Beit Shemesh. This was not the first time they
had moved. He and his wife made Aliya in 1991
from Peru. They are third degree black belts in
karate and used to run a karate school with 700
pupils. They converted to Judaism, and decided to leave their comfortable life in Peru to live
in their new Jewish homeland in Israel. It is
very difficult for him to work now because
both of his hands have been badly injured and
he suffers from PTSD. OneFamily is helping
them with new appliances, furniture, and
transportation to physical therapy and psychologists.
YARON was injured in 2004 by a Kassam rocket near his home in Gush Katif. He sustained
injuries to his head and back and now can only
work four hours a day. He is a carpenter and
builds cabinets. As a result of his injuries, he is
in constant pain and
walks with a limp. He
came to Israel when he
was three from Iran.
He served in the army
for many years and
moved to Gush Katif
in 1986 where he lived
for 19 years. Now he makes a small salary and
has taken out many loans to help pay bills and
tuition for his four children. OneFamily is
helping with tuition and rent.
HANNA’S parents were killed in July 2005
when terrorists opened fire on their car as they
were returning from a weekend visit with her
aunt. Hannah was married two years ago and
has a 41⁄2 month-old infant and has now
assumed the role of primary caretaker for her
17-year-old sister and 15-year-old brother.
They have a small apartment and have been
coping with the trauma of their loss, the stress
of their new living situation, and crowded
quarters. OneFamily is helping the family with
adjustments to the apartment to better fit their
needs.
NURIT came to Israel
from Russia when she
was 9 to escape antiSemitism. 13 years
later, on November 1,
2004, she witnessed a
suicide bomber blow himself to pieces, killing
three others, in the market a block from her
apartment in Tel Aviv. She now suffers from
severe PTSD. Her parents abandoned her when
she was 14. She went to school through 11th
grade and worked as a cashier. She lives alone
in a tiny apartment and has to visit a psychologist every day. OneFamily has helped her purchase household appliances and supported her
as she struggles to rebuild her life.
DANIEL, from Bnei
Brak, left the Kotel
with two of his 10
children on the
number 2 bus on
August 19, 2003. A
few minutes later, a
terrorist blew himself up on the bus, killing 23 and wounding
over 150. Miraculously, Daniel and his sons
survived. A rabbi and teacher, Daniel suffers
from PTSD and has a very difficult time hearing. He lives with his wife and ten children in a
three-room apartment. OneFamily is helping
them move forward.
ELIRAN was at the old bus station in Tel Aviv
with his mother on January 5, 2003. He got
separated from her for a moment when he
heard a blast and ran to see what had happened. He saw that his mother had been killed.
Eliran made Aliyah from Uzbekistan when he
was 14. Now 26, he lives in an apartment by
himself. He studied electronics but did not
have enough money to finish his degree.
OneFamily is helping him finish his studies
and giving him the essential emotional support
he needs.
NILI came with her
son to Israel from
Russia in 1999. Her
husband died in a car
accident in Russia in
1996. Her son was
killed by a terrorist
who blew up the Dolphinarium in 2001. Since
the incident she has contracted breast cancer
and is undergoing treatment. She does not
receive money from National Insurance.
Friends give her money for food. She believes
that her decline into ill health would not have
happened if her son had not been killed.
OneFamily is helping her pay for her treatments and rent.
Names have been changed to protect each
individual’s privacy.
BRIDAL
ROOM
DEDICATED
In memory of Nava
Applebaum Hy’d
IN JEWISH TRADITION before the wedding of a
Jewish couple, the bride immerses herself in the
Mikva. Nava Applebaum was murdered the night
before her wedding two years ago in the Café Hillel
bombing. As part of remembering Nava, a women's
committee under the leadership of Felicia Goldzahl and friends of the Applebaum family decided to dedicate the bridal room at the Har Choma Mikva in Nava's memory. Funds were raised from friends and family around the world. The bridal room was dedicated on the anniversary of Nava’s death.
Israel Events
Women's Division
L: Artwork of Bridal
Room.
M: The Chuppah
made out of Nava's
wedding gown.
R: Banner used at the
dedication.
ONE OF THE MOST TRAGIC OF PAINS
is that of a mother who has lost a
child. That pain is even more acute
when the loss is sudden. Many
mothers find it hard to continue in
any meaningful way with their own
lives. "Many women in this situation
stop taking care of themselves," says
Dina Kit who, along with Geula
Hershkovich, both bereaved mothers, started the OneFamily
Women's division. "They lose all concern for themselves, wallowing
instead in their immense grief. Their entire reason to live has been
wrenched from them, and they just don't care about life anymore."
"The woman is the engine of the home," says Geula. "When she is
happy, the family feels better, the home is managed more efficiently, and everyone around her is happier." It is very powerful to see
these women who have suffered so much become women who help
others learn to live again. OneFamily has become a home for modern-day heroes like Geula and Dina, who spend their days looking
for ways to change the lives of everyone around them.
Bus 19/Club 19
A year and a half ago, OneFamily created the
Bus 19 Survivor Support Group. These survivors
of the January 2004 bus bombing on Jerusalem
Bus 19 had their first meeting at the home of
Asher and Vered Luzon. Mrs. Luzon was injured
on her face and has burns on most of her body
as a result of the blast.
Bus 19 survivors
meet at the Luzon’s
Art therapy at a
Bus 19 meeting
The meetings take place every two weeks.
Survivors share their personal stories. This support group gives them comfort and a sense of
family. Through their common experience, which
not everyone can understand or relate to, they
have formed an unparalleled connection with
each other.
Women's Retreat
OneFamily’s
Lawyer/Social Worker
Michael Conducting a PostTrauma Workshop
Michael Weinberg began his
involvement with OneFamily in April 2002 as the in-house legal consultant. Michael
was so moved by the people that he met and the way that OneFamily was helping to
change the lives of victims of terrorism that within a few months he was enrolled in a
Masters of Social Work program at Haifa University, where he studies secondary posttrauma and the effects of terror on the family members of the victim.
Michael's unique approach to the needs of the victims allows him to help those at
OneFamily by combining the aspects of legal and psychological care. "When we
empower an individual after experiencing the horrors of terrorism we break the vicious
cycle of despair that terrorism creates. That is what it means to rebuild a shattered life;
taking a person who feels that all has been lost, and giving him a reason to live and
the feeling that he is vital to the world in which he lives and an integral part of the
lives of those around him."
Victim’s Picture Chosen
First Baby Born to
Orphaned
Family
NECHAMA AND MEIR SCHIJVESCHUURDER
recently celebrated the Pidyon Haben of their son
Mordechai Raphael. The Schijveschuurder family
was ripped in half when five of them - the
parents, Mordechai, 43, his wife Tzira, 41, and
three of their children, Ra'aya, 14, Yitzhak, 4, and
Hemda, 2 - were murdered in the Sbarro's
bombing in Jerusalem on August 9, 2001.
at World Press Photo Expo
Lior Ziv had been taking pictures his entire life. He lived to take pictures, and died
taking pictures. His family has a collection of almost 4,000 of his photographs. The World
Press Photo Expo is a traveling photo journalism show that is brought to 40 different
countries annually. The coordinator of the expo in Tel Aviv brought tremendous comfort
to the Ziv family when she displayed Lior's photos in the 2004 expo. By displaying one of
Lior’s greatest joys, his pictures, his talent and memory will be kept alive.
Last picture taken by Lior
before he was killed.
Lior's Picture Displayed at
WP Photo Expo
Baby
Mordechai
Raphael,
named after his
grandfather, in
the arms of his
parents.
Four years later, the Schijveschuurder family
celebrated a beautiful new addition to their
family. They are part of the continuity of the
Jewish people in the land of Israel. They exemplify the tremendous courage and strength that it
takes to survive the horrors of life after terror.
Women's Support Groups
YELENA KOSMINSKY was wounded by a rock propelled at her head as she was driving her
car on the highway. Before the attack Yelena worked in Israel's high-tech industry, but she has
not been able to spend long days working at a computer since the attack. At a OneFamily therapeutic retreat, Yelena watched as the victims were offered different options for special massage
therapy. Yelena told us that since the attack she has become a certified massage therapist and
would be happy to help treat anyone in need of her services. This was an offer that changed Yelena's life and the life of thousand of
victims. "I don't just give people massages," she says, "I give them my heart. The heart often sees what the eyes don't. My eyesight
was impaired as a result of the terror attack I was in, but my heart sees the amazing people that I have the privilege to treat." Those
who have been treated by Yelena are often more comfortable talking to her than to a psychologist or social worker. They describe
her as not only having hands of gold but a heart of gold as well.
Flowers Can Heal
Hands-On
Therapy
Yelena at work
The jewelry covering the baby
belonged to his grandmother who
was killed in the Sbarro bombing.
Participants at the Bach workshops
In January 2005, OneFamily launched the Bach Flower Remedy Workshop. Dr. Edward Bach
developed a process to take extracts from various flowers, process them and turn them into natural
healing agents. The group healing coach matches each participant with the extracts that are most
necessary to help their specific difficulties. The following week, she checks how the extracts have
affected each participant. She brings in psychological exercises which help the participants reveal
many feelings and new senses, which in turn help release their pain. A widow who asked for help
said, "She gave me a small bottle and all I needed to do was to take some drops four times a day four drops straight into the mouth, and the nightmares I was having stopped and I was able to
return to my normal routine without being haunted by the terrible dreams of the previous night."
O N E F A M I LY Y O U T H D I V I S I O N
OneFamily’s Youth Division, through its
camps, service projects and weekly mentoring programs, provides young victims
of terror with a support structure and a feeling of belonging. We run programs throughout the year where ongoing relationships with counselors provides friendship and role models. These children are the future and the continuity of the land and the people of Israel. Our goal is to ensure that nothing stands between them and their dreams
for the future.
Big Brother Program
SUMMER &
HOLIDAY
CAMPS
Sponsored by Federation of Philadelphia
The cornerstone of OneFamily’s Youth
Division is the camps that are held three
times a year. During the summer,
Chanuka and Passover vacations, 300
teenaged victims of terrorism are invited to
either a coed or single-sex camp held
throughout Israel. These teens have lost
parents, siblings and best friends in terrorist attacks. Through therapeutic workshops, water sports, arts and crafts and many other activities, we draw these children
out of their silence, creating a place where they can share their suffering with people who truly understand their pain. An
important part of our camps is the opportunity each camper has to participate in a community service project, giving them
the opportunity to give and not just receive. This summer, we helped handicapped children at a neighboring camp, Beit
Hagalgalim, where Noam Apter, a teenaged victim of terror, had been a volunteer. With Noam's bereaved father in attendance, OneFamily campers announced their intention to support this cause to which Noam had given his heart.
Project
MA’AYAN
Project Ma’ayan gives children
the opportunity to express
themselves through being
partners with nature.
In September, our Youth Division organized a four-day retreat for 90 bereaved siblings, ages 20-30 in the northern city of Kiryat Shmona.
The retreat was staffed by our youth division counselors and therapists to help teach coping mechanisms,
run healing sessions and listen. There was also time for people to enjoy themselves - to laugh,
to play and to form friendships with others who understand their situation and their pain.
Throughout the retreat, OneFamily offered various therapeutic workshops by professionals in
art therapy, shiatsu, meditation through movement, and other areas. In addition to therapy sessions, the retreat was also packed full of fun events meant to help the
participants relax and forget their difficult situations. There was hiking in the Banyas, kayaking, bowling and even ice skating. A high
point of the retreat was a concert by the popular Israeli singer Meir
Banai. Before Meir performed, some of the victims performed a song
they wrote together about losing a sibling to terror. It was an emotionally charged evening. After four days with OneFamily, the participants left with new memories and new friends. When they returned
home they knew that they need not bear their grief alone. There is a
place for them to go to share their pain, make new memories and
rebuild their lives.
In March of this year, OneFamily's Youth Division initiated
Project Maayan - a project to rehabilitate the Telem Springs
area west of Jerusalem. Throughout the year, every Tuesday
afternoon, OneFamily children go to work, repairing decaying buildings, cleaning the springs and freeing the flow of
water.
Through their ability to fix their surroundings, children gain a
sense that their lives can also be rebuilt.
Taking pride in their surroundings allows
them to take pride in themselves. By being
part of the project from start to finish, the
children gain the continuity, balance, and
stability that they so urgently need.
Connecting to the land connects them to
the parts of themselves that they have shut
away in dealing with their immense pain.
3OneFamily's Big Brother program pairs university
students with younger teens and children who have
been victimized by terrorism or who have lost at least
one parent. Big Brothers commit to spending at least 4
hours a week with their younger partners, helping with
homework, social issues and serving as a role model
for them during the difficult period of adolescence.
The teenage years are often an extremely challenging
time. When combined with the trauma of terrorism in
their families, it often becomes unbearable. The Big
Brother Program provides a much needed outlet for
the young victims, and a helping hand as they try to
cope with their difficult circumstances.
Bergen County
Summer Camp
Welcomes
OneFamily Youth
The Jewish Community Center in Bergen County,
NJ sponsored 25 young victims of terror and two
OneFamily counselors for a three-week summer
camp. The children joined Americans of similar
age at a camp where each child was hosted by a
family from the local Jewish community.
YOUNG ADULTS
THE PURPOSE OF THE ONEFAMILY
YOUTH DIVISION is to assist in the
healing and rehabilitation of teenaged
victims of terrorism. Children from families where terrorism has taken a life or
wounded a loved one need an outlet for
their emotions.
Sukkot Event
2005
Spearheaded by our Youth Division, OneFamily brought
more than 1200 bereaved terror victims from all over the
country to an oasis near Massada for a Sukkot celebration. At
the event, there was something for everyone - arts and crafts,
drum lessons, drama circles, professional massage booths,
group discussions, various alternative therapies, camel rides,
jeep tours, donkey rides, rappelling, pita making, archery and
a special concert by Israeli pop singer Shai Gabso. The climax
of the day was a sunset trip to Massada where victims were
given guided tours and men danced with the Torah. Seeing
terror victims gripping the Sefer Torah and dancing atop a
national landmark of Jewish resistance was inspiring.
Thank You to a
CHAMPION
Martin Franklin speaking about OneFamily at the
awards ceremony where he won the charity challenge.
Martin Franklin, CEO of Jarden
Corporation and OneFamily board
member, recently participated for
the second time in the Iron Man
Triathlon in Hawaii. He raised half
a million dollars in sponsorships.
His wife Julie wrote to us:
Dear OneFamily:
“
Thank you for thinking of us, for your
good wishes and the beautiful flowers.
Martin finished in under 11 hours,
beating his previous time by 50 minutes. He was totally motivated and
pushed quite hard. The boys ran with
him and encouraged him along the
way. It is a testament to his iron will
and dedication to a beautiful cause.
Martin was given a $4000 challenge to
do a cartwheel at the end of the race.
After nearly 11 hours of racing I
thought it was an unrealistic option,
but right at the finish he raised his
hands, did the cartwheel and said,
"This is for you, OneFamily." We are
thrilled to be part of OneFamily. It
looks like he will have raised half a
million dollars again!!! We hope to
bring the kids again in the spring and
do something special. It was such a
meaningful visit the last time and we
know it will be again!! Thank you for
giving us the opportunity to make a
difference in people's lives.
"If there is one purpose to which
we must give our unstinting
support, it is the activities of the
OneFamily fund, and I don't say this flippantly."
With these words, former Finance Minister
Binyamin Netanyahu summed up an evening of
support and solidarity in Jerusalem. The audience was made up of people who control
national businesses and large conglomerates.
This emotional evening was the beginning of a
campaign to increase Israeli awareness of the
impact of terrorism. The stories shared that
evening were difficult to hear, but they left a
Netanyahu Supports OneFamily
Joy
Echoed with
Sadness
“You changed my mourning into dancing;
you took off my sackcloth and clothed me
with gladness” (psalms 30:12)
The wedding celebration of David and Limor
Hatuel on December 2005 was an occasion of
bittersweet joy. David lost his entire family - Tali,
his wife who was in her ninth month of pregnancy, and their four beautiful daughters - in a
horrible terror attack a year and a half ago.
Surrounded by Limor, David and Tali’s parents at
their Chuppa, David later explained that he isn’t
building a new life, but rather adding a new
floor to the life that he had.
“
Love and best wishes,
Julie Franklin & Family
Martin and Julie Franklin, in Hawaii, with
three of their four children, right after the race.
strong impression on those who were there.
"Lend your support," Netanyahu finished. "Help
this vital organization, which is simply
doing G-d's work,
continue onward and
do what no one else
is prepared or able to
do."
Coast to Coast
O n e F a m i l y
May David
and Limor be
blessed with
a life of great
happiness,
health, love
and peace.
We cannot thank Lili Goldberg and Family enough
for their exemplary involvement with One Family
through the William Goldberg Trust.
One Family's mission is advancing and expanding
thanks to continued and active support from individA special thank you goes to Alex Blavatnik, Steven
uals and communities that have partnered with us in
Klein, Ronald Lauder, Paul Singer, Sam Belzberg and
the past, as well as new
Len Leader for their admirable
partnerships that have
generosity and dedication to One
been forged throughFamily.
out this past year.
We could not be where we are
Continuing in the
without our partnership with Joey
footsteps of past sucand Ruthy Bodner and Eliezer and
cess, the new impasRuthie Stavsky.
sioned office staff Adam Richard, Office
We give a heartfelt thank you to
Manager; Joshua
Doug and Linda Altabef, Michael
Glazer, Adopt-Aand Vicky Gross and to our Young
Family Coordinator;
Leadership Committee for their
and Adi Gidali,
Donations and Gifts
Steve Klein (in white shirt), hosting victims, successful events that raised money
and awareness.
Coordinator - under
is spearheading the campaign to cover
the leadership of
administrative costs, so that every donor
Thank you to the following comDirector Sarri Singer,
dollar goes directly to the victims.
munities for adopting families in
are moving forward
Israel
and
for
contributing
their time, energy, and
with exciting new ways of connecting the American
resources: Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, NY;
Temple Congregation Achduth Vesholom of Fort
Wayne, IN, Temple Shalom of Amesbury, MA, and
Congregation Ahavath Torah of Englewood, NJ.
Thank You to everyone who helped make the
Summer Mission 2005 from Israel a success: Harry
Ashkenasi, Bala Cynwyd Community, Jack & Fran
Baxter, Dorit Baxter, Howie Beigelman, Wendy
Belzberg & Strauss Zelnick, Francesca & Ivan
Two years later:
At a special evening arranged by OneFamily, survivors of the Bus No. 14 bombing shared their personal stories of how their lives had been changed
forever as a result of the tragedy. I listened, and I
It has been two-and-a-half years since I was severe- cried. I cried for those murdered, for those who
ly injured in the Bus No. 14 Jerusalem terrorist
survived and yet live with the horror, for those
attack. On June 11, 2003, an Arab homicide
whose physical wounds and fear have destroyed
bomber boarded the No. 14 bus in Jerusalem and
their lives. Then I cried for a world where people
blew himself up,
have lost all morality
…a world where an innocent human being can and where the sanctity
murdering 17 innocent people and
of human life has no
board a bus, only to exit in a body bag.
maiming many
value - a world where an
more. It was the day that changed my life forever.
innocent human being can board a bus, only to
exit in a body bag.
I was on that bus.
Sarri’s Reflections
Often, people who experience or witness
such horrifying terror will bury the event
deep in their minds and painfully suppress it
for the rest of the lives. It is too painful to
remember the loved ones they lost; to
remember those who have been physically
injured; to remember those who have been
emotionally or psychologically wounded.
They become haunted by the terror that
paralyzes their lives.
U p d a t e s
With our primary mission being to raise funds, increase awareness and connect peeople around the world with victims of terror in Israel, our OneFamily supporters, volunteers and staff have conducted a tremendous variety of activities. This enables
us to reach all segments of the Jewish community from Orthodox to Reform, young and old, and the many friends of Israel.
❚Eastern Region Update
“I had two
options. I can
fall down
and be totally destroyed,
or stand up
and live. I am
choosing
life.”
O f f i c e s
Josh Glazer, OF Adopt-a-Family Coord., Doug
and Linda Altabef, and Sarri Singer, OF Director,
East Coast Region at a parlor meeting hosted by
the Altabef's in their home in Mt. Kisco.
Jewish community with our brothers and sisters in
Israel. The following have played an integral part in
our success and have our utmost appreciation.
To those who act with their feet and are examples of
what it means to give it your all to help another: We
could not be where we are without Martin and Julie
Franklin who are truly an "iron couple" and have utilized their ceaseless energy to raise money through
Martin's participation in the Iron Man competition.
Alan and Rochel Feld and family inaugurated
their new home by dedicating a Sefer Torah and
raising money for OF. With Alan, ( L-R)are Marc
Belzberg, Joey Bodner and Rabbi Goldvicht .
OF Patrons Len and Michelle Leader and their
sons with Marc Belzberg, hosting an OF event in
their home. Brandon conducted his high school
graduation project helping OF victims in Israel.
Berkowitz, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Aliza
Berenholz, Abe Brown, Howard and Amy Cohen,
Deal NJ Community, Steven Eisenberg, Jon Erlbaum,
Alan and Rochel Feld, Michael Findling, Seth
Gerzberg, former mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Gitty and
Ricky Goldschmidt, Cheryl Greene, Marci
Gubernick, Sharon and Sinclair Haberman, Kara
Kronegold, KRA synagogue of Manhattan, Rabbi
Shlomo Krupka, Rabbi & Mrs. Labaton, Mickey
Laniado, Len and Michelle Leader, Harvey and
Stephanie Lederman, Eva Levi, Gary Levitt, Consul
General Aryeh Mekel, Daniel & Marlene Miller,
Michael Miller, Andrew and Nancy Neff, Amir Ofek,
The Pasta Factory, Dr. Steven and Jodi Reich, Ralph
and Leah Rieder, Tammy Schatz, Heshy and Bonnie
Schertz, Talia Shemesh, Judie Singer, Senator Robert
Singer, Lauren Sokolow, Vera and Soli Spira & family,
Nancy and Izzy Steinberg, Michael & Judy
Steinhardt, Ralou and Ronnie Stern, Jeff Stier,
Teaneck, NJ community, Shlomo Troodler, Debra
Wenig and Sammy Zack.
We would like to thank the many schools in our
region for their inspiring commitment to Chesed and
to OneFamily.
Thank you to Ally Hartman , Elana Mouldovan and
Evan Brody for volunteering their time and energy
with OneFamily.
Finally we would like to thank David Sadek and First
Financial Equities of Englewood, NJ, who have
opened their hearts and their office space to OF.
Young Leadership
Division Impressions
U.S. Summer Mission 2005
The potential effect one individual can exponentially
have on the world is immeasurable. On July 17th,
2005, I was presented with not one, but thirteen people who, for one sixteen-hour day, exponentially
altered my life. As an American Jew whose predominant vision of terrorism in Israel is what I see via
CNN, Time magazine or the New York Times, I am
compelled to share the day I experienced with a
group of people who were either personally injured
or lost loved ones at the hand of those fanatics who
want nothing more than the destruction of the Jewish
people. Welcoming the OneFamily Fund Mission at
JFK airport, I joined thirteen victims of terror who
traveled to New York to raise awareness, to promote
peace, and to enjoy some well-deserved rest and
relaxation. This concept of truly being one family
means instant, unspoken, unconditional love and
friendship.
We were soon headed to Mt. Kisco where Wendy
Belzberg and her husband Strauss Zelnick welcomed
us for breakfast and introductions. One by one they
told their stories, and I listened with unwavering
attention to what brought this group of people into
my life. Dvir stepped on a land mine while going to
pick cherries. Zohar fell nine stories from his hotel
room and lost his wife and sons when a bomb was
driven into the lobby of a hotel near Eilat. He was
burned over 75% of his body. Tuvia lost his wife and
daughter when gunmen opened fire on their car as
they drove home. Shai was standing at a bus stop, a
friend to the left and a friend to the right, when an
Arab walked up to them and detonated killing his
friends instantly. The skin on Shai's hands was incinerated and his right arm was 95% severed.
One by one, their stories tore at my heart. Kobi lost
his father, a taxi driver, who went to pickup a customer at a nightclub. While he was there, an Arab terrorist blew himself up killing him. The after-effects
on Kobi and his family are a weight no one should
have to bear. While Kobi's own siblings and mother
have suffered greatly, Kobi, now the leader of his family, speaks from his heart so eloquently for the
urgency for peace and tranquility in a land that, while
physically so beautiful, is so full of intense anger. As
he says, "There is fire under the land."
Eyal, who speaks of his sister with intense love and
kindness, recalls her last moments waiting in line at a
nightclub in Tel Aviv, where an Arab massacred her
and four others when his explosives went off. Yael
was busy distributing wedding invitations to her
friends that
evening. To hear
Eyal speak of
identifying his
sister's body, just
the thought of
the remote
chance of pain
being inflicted on
my own beautiful sister, a new
mother to the
most beautiful
Kobi Kimchi with former NYC angel, shattered
me on the spot.
mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
The day culminated with dinner at "Camp
OneFamily" an event hosted by OneFamily's Young
Leadership division. I hear on television when the
topic of fighting terrorism is debated, there is this
need for resolve - I think I lost count at one point of
how many times one senator said the word in 5 minutes. This is terrorism - losing your best friend, your
father, your wife, losing an eye, having the skin on
your hands incinerated to the point you see the
bones of your fingers. And this mission showed
resolve - the resolve of those who have suffered such
unspeakable horrors as they pick up the shattered
Debra Braman-Wexler, Michael & Vivian Perez,
Avromi & Beth Friedman, Yehuda & Aviva BenHorin, Asher’s Place, Sarah’s Tent and the Miami
Seaquarium.
OneFamily mission at the home of Yehuda &
Aviva Ben-Horin with Israeli Consul-General
Dr. Yitschak Ben-Gad, Deputy Consul-General
Aaron Sagui and Izzy Steinberg, long-time
friend & supporter of OneFamily.
Terror survivor Eyal Neifeld and his parents were
greeted by hundreds of Floridians this past
September who were put in awe by the brave 23year-old’s positive attitude, humor and appreciation
for life. After spending 3 “magical” days in Orlando,
courtesy of an anonymous OneFamily supporter
from Hollywood, FL, Eyal addressed the Orlando
Jewish Federation, the Bal Harbour Shul, the
Chabad Synagogue of Aventura, the Hollywood
High School Jewish Student’s Club, a lunch and
learn hosted by Hollywood City Councilman Keith
Wasserstrom, and more than 100 people at the home
of Roberto & Margie Szerer. We also thank our
many hosts and sponsors including Dr. Gary &
Diane Magid, the Nash Family, Rabbi & Rebbitzen
Shalom Lipskar, Enny Wolfenzohn, Madelyn &
Itzchak Levy & Family, Eliyahu Ezagui, Simon &
Jana Falic, Eve Seliger, Cine Citta Café, Stewart &
Linda Slomovitz, the Miami Museum of Science &
Planetarium and two dear anonymous friends.
Vera and Soli Spira and Sammy Zack embracing Israeli
victims of terror for a week-long visit in their home.
Thank you to Colin and Bonnie Lewis, Fran and
Dennis Gurwitz, Sari and Alan Stitt, Renee and Eli
Rubenstein, Neta Eshet and Family, Rayna Basal and
Ora and Ari Stolovitz, who opened their homes to
visitors from OneFamily's missions. And to those
who came out to support us at the homes of Cindy
& Brad Sherman, Sandy & Lionel Waldman, Debbie
& Warren Kimel, Nancy & Shane Spring, Neta Eshet
and Family, Sharri and Ron Silverstein, Cindy and
Michael Berg, Janice and Murray Tkatch, Janet and
Edwin Durbin and the RioCan committee who drew
many interested friends and acquaintances to help
highlight the work of OneFamily and to raise funds.
To our volunteers, we couldn't have done it without
(L-R) Our amazing volunteers: Sue Joel, Pnina
Margolese, Paula Singershoot, Lauren Albert with
Pam Albert, OF Canada Director, and Linda
Nuefeld.
you! Thank you to Ethel Udashkin and Saulie Zeidel
of the State of Israel Bonds Office, and Ora Stolovitz,
Brenda Gewurz, Ariela Cotler, Rayna Basal, Geula &
Avram Finkel, Sheila Baskin, Lilian and Eli Levy,
Lynn Eltes and Hariette Muroff of Montreal, and to
the Legal offices of Goodman & Carr for arranging
speaking engagements through a series of formal and
informal 'parlour meetings' in Montreal, Ottawa and
Toronto.
Thank you to our synagogues and schools: Adath
Israel, Temple Sinai, Petach Tikvah, Beth Sholom,
Beth Zion, Spanish and Portuguese, Orach Hayim,
Shaar Hazedek, Har Zion, Beth Tzedec, Temple Beth
El, Beth David, Temple Israel, Holy Blossom
Temple, CHAT, Heschel and USDS. You have been
tremendously supportive by highlighting OneFamily
to your students and congregants. Synagogues such
as Holy Blossom Temple have embraced the Adopt-
pieces of their lives and try to move on. This is heroism, and it is something that should affect each one
of us exponentially.
❚Florida Happenings
A high point of the year was the August Mission that
brought 14 victims to Miami for relaxation and connecting with old and new supporters. Their sharing
and strength put a human face to the horrible atrocities, and helped open the hearts and giving of everyone they met. We would like to especially thank parlor meeting hosts Dorit & Ben J. Genet and Howard
& Carol Bienenfeld, and mission hosts and event
sponsors, who include Michael Dezer & the Howard
Johnson Dezerland Resort, Aneeta & David Epstein,
did lots of sight-seeing. The groups bonded particularly well and developed their own support network
which they are continuing to follow up in Israel.
way of showing that they care. Monica Berger, Susan
Balinsky, Max Schwartz, and Eli Cohen of Montreal,
and Steven Richman and Robyn and Saul
Greenspan of Toronto ensured that victims were well
clothed. Philip Davidovitz and Ellie Korenblum of
❚Canada Update
Dr. Miles and Roberta Kuttler of Miami sponsored a
marvelous month at Camp Blue Star in North
In January 2005, OneFamily opened our doors in
Aventura/Miami and began reaching out to our
Southern brothers and sisters right away with an
Evening of Art, Wine & Cheese, a Purim Poker
Tournament and a Sponsor-a-Seder drive. Several
temples, schools and individuals soon joined in,
making cards and tzedakah projects to benefit
OneFamily. We give a special thanks to these early
supporters including Dr. Robert & Lorelei Ennis,
Mrs. Alice Hoffman, Martin & Joanne Jaffe, Jordon
& Lesli Ross, Adam & Perla Pollock, Judy Sohn and
the amazing students and families of Temple Dor
Dorim of Weston and Temple Beth Am Day School
of Kendall.
out the Southeastern USA. As the gateway to Central
and South America, our South Florida staff is eagerly
planning to take OneFamily truly South in the coming year.
Eyal Neifeld, his parents and Libby Roffe
thanking Debra Braman-Wexler for her
support.
Carolina for 2 girls who lost their siblings in terror
attacks. A special thank you to the Kuttlers and to
our many friends showing special love for children
through twinnings, adoptions and Rosh Hashanah
cards, including Dr. David & Monica Genet, Ben J. &
Dorit Genet, Dani & Mimi Bengio, Isaac & Eugenia
Rosen.
OF supporters Simon and Jana
Falic from S. Florida at
OneFamily event.
Director Mimi
Jankovits, the
Board and volunteers are collaborating to
increase awareness of
OneFamily and
to raise considerable support
for the organization through-
Elie and Renee Rubinstein, hosting Shoshana and
Shlomo Malka, the parents of Tali Hatuel hy'd,
murdered last year with her 4 young daughters
a-Family program. National Jewish Campus Life and
Hillel across Canada held fashion events and concerts in Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and
Vancouver, and directed all their proceeds to
OneFamily. Students from the Hebrew Academy of
Montreal are busy packing boxes of books, accompanied with a letter to send to families in Israel, as a
Arielle Nagel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David
Nagel, decided to donate a portion of her Bat
Mitzvah money to go towards ear
surgery for Rivka Pam, a victim of terrorism
Our amazing volunteers, from Montreal. (L-R): Ora
Stolovitz, Gladys Kattan, Kaden Behar, Carmen Korin,
Vivian Belboul, Claudette Del Burgo, Grace Lawee, Liliane
Levy, Eliane Benchimol, Yael Shahin, Chella Abadi, Isabelle
Lugassy, Emile Fattal, Rachel Wolf, Elie Levy, & Eva Dahan.
Toronto are coordinating the third container of
clothes to be sent to OneFamily. The last container
that went was a 40-ft. container which included toys
from Spinmaster and Ganz Brothers, as well as
clothes and thousands of stickers donated by Sandy
and Lionel Waldman to be distributed at summer
camp in Israel. Thanks to our Young Leadership
Division Co-chairs Dana Bennie and Kirsten
Menkes for organizing a successful bike ride, with
the help of Sue Joel.
This fall a Yizkor program was launched in Ottawa
by our new Ottawa co-chairs Jane and Martin
Gordon, with programs held in five shuls in Ottawa.
The community joined together, along with Temple
Beth El of Windsor, to show their support for the
murdered victims and their families.
bracelets in memory of the terror victims. Thank
you to our volunteers, Ellen Robin, Marc Miller, and
the students and parents at Bnei Akiva, Hillel and
Maimonides for your help. Thank you to our communities including Congregation Adat Yeshurun of
La Jolla, Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego,
Beth Jacob Congregation of San Diego, Jewish
Federation of the North Shore, Congregation Kol
Emeth in San Jose, Rabbi Dardek and Congregation
Beth Jacob in Oakland, and Peninsula Sinai
Congregation of Foster City, who have helped to
adopt families through the OneFamily Adopt-AFamily program, and to Sharon and Elie Gindi, Judy
and Richard Zeller, and Elissa and Edward Czuker,
who will be hosting our upcoming outreach events
at their homes.
❚UK Update
Since its founding in February 2002, OneFamily UK
has met with a hugely enthusiastic and active
West Coast
Happenings
Bari Holtzman opened OneFamily’s new home in
Los Angeles in November 2004. In Los Angeles the
highlights of OneFamily Fund’s activities included
our Annual Yom Ha’atzmaut Event at the home of
Rivka and Raphy Nissel, in partnership with Beth
Jacob Congregation, Magen David of Beverly Hills,
Shaarei Tefila Congregation, West Coast Torah
Center, Young Israel of Century City, Young Israel of
North Beverly Hills, and B’nai David-Judea.
Proceeds from this event went to the OneFamily
youth division for summer and holiday camps. In
addition, Stephen S. Wise Temple had a OneFamily
Fund summer camp campaign that raised money so
that OneFamily could open their doors to a greater
number of children to attend camp this past summer. The Society of Young Philanthropists hosted a
high-end designer clothing and accessories event and
donated 10% of the proceeds to OneFamily Fund.
Thank you to all the women who attended Dana’s
Cooking Class and helped us continue to raise funds
in a delicious, fun and dedicated manner. Thank you
to Judy and Rick Zeller for opening their home and
hosting Linesse and Eitan while they were on their
honeymoon. Through our participation in the hugely successful
CAJE conference, we continued to
spread the
word to the
Jewish
Educational
Communities
of North
America and
were supported by friends
OF Boardmember Sheri Schlesinger
like Wendy
with Mrs. Rivka Nissel at 5th annual
Marx, who
Yom Haatzmaut Event hosted by
wore
Mr. and Mrs. Raphy Nissel.
OneFamily
Bereaved brother Adam Shaikhet meets the
Queen at Madame Tussauds
response from the Anglo-Jewish community. This
year has been no exception. Thanks to the tireless
efforts of a highly dedicated and motivated
Committee and the support of the JNF, our Patrons
and the many others who have embraced our work,
we have once again organized a myriad of activities
and succeeded in raising large sums to be allocated
in Israel.
This year we have once again been privileged to host
a number of guests from Israel. Their courage and
determination to move forward never cease to
inspire all those with whom they come into contact.
Among them were our Yom Ha'atzmaut visitors,
Hadar Gitlin and Shai Buchachi. The two spoke in
several schools and were guests of honor at the communal Yom Ha'atzmaut service at Finchley
Synagogue.
In May, 55 City businessmen attended a special
luncheon at the Bevis Mark Restaurant where they
met with and were addressed by OneFamily Founder
and Chairman Marc Belzberg and by terror victim
Eyal Neifeld. The luncheon raised almost £40,000.
Following the success of previous group respite visits
to London, 60 bereaved youngsters aged 20-30, were
hosted in several communities during the summer.
The first group visit was organized and hosted by
Patrons Bianca and Stuart Roden. Participants spent
time with the host families and with each other, and
Among other activities in support of OneFamily
were the sale of blue and white wristbands in schools
which raised £6,000, a performance of Mozart's Don
Giovanni by the Harrow Opera which raised £1,000,
a five-a-side football tournament which raised
£5,000, and a netball tournament which raised
£10,000. A new young persons’ committee called
Magniv organized two party
events in May
and
September,
raising £5,000.
We also continue to benefit from donations made for
and on behalf
of family celeA group of 15 bereaved youngsters outbrations side the London home of UK Patrons
britot, birthStuart and Bianca Roden, who organdays, special
ized and sponsored the week-long visit.
anniversaries,
weddings and
Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. In October, young supporter
Gadi Djangoly marked his Bar Mitzvah by asking for
all gifts to be donated to OneFamily. He also completed a 10km run to boost the funds. Gadi's bar
mitzvah was twinned with that of Yisrael Bloomberg
whose mother was murdered in a drive-by shooting.
Yisrael's father and sister were paralysed in the same
attack.
Our calendar is filling up again. One event which we
are particularly excited about is the visit of Colin
OF Chairman Marc Belzberg joins UK Patrons
Larraine Harris, Lauren Breslauer and Marion Diner,
OF UK Chairman Clive Rosenfeld, OF Israel
Lawyer/Social worker Mickey Weinberg, and a group
of bereaved young people at a special barbeque in
London at the home of Patron Wendy Fisher.
Powell, former US secretary of state, to the UK in
January 2006 where he will address guests at three
special JNF dinners. Two-thirds of all money raised
at the third dinner, to be held in Manchester, will be
donated to OneFamily. It is hoped that this event will
raise substantial funds, contributing to the vital work
of the OneFamily Fund in Israel.
Most important, to all our sponsors, donors and volunteers we
thank you for your continued
support, generous donations and
for remembering us at
OneFamily. You make a difference in helping the victims and
their families rebuild their shattered lives, giving them hope and
allowing dreams to come true.
Together, we are all OneFamily.
Adopt-AFamily
Gabi Zada (right) was shot in the
head by terrorists who attacked
the polling station during party
primaries in his home town of
Beit Shean. Gabi had run to get a
gun when the firing broke out,
and returned to the polling station to kill the terrorists. During
this courageous and selfless act,
Gabi was hit and fell to the
ground. The terrorist came over
to him lying helplessly on the
ground and shot him at point
blank range in the head. His survival and recuperation are a pure
miracle.
The Greenberg family of Toronto
sent Gabi and his family monthly
financial assistance to help him
continue his heroic recovery, as
part of OneFamily's Adopt-AFamily program. During a
Greenberg family trip to Israel,
OneFamily arranged a meeting
between the two. Gabi invited
the Greenberg's to his three-yearold son's Birthday celebration, at
the grave of Rabbi Meir Baal
HaNess.
In the last year, 69 concerned communities and individuals have provided
direct financial support to victims of
terrorism through the Adopt a Family
program. Since the program's
inception, we have provided matches for
267 families.
For more information contact Josh Glazer,
the OF Adopt-A-Family coordinator at
[email protected].
HOW YOU HAVE HELPED
R-L: Michael Berg and Jake Lazarus at their Bar Mitzvahs
WHEN ASKED if he would encourage his friends to
WE CAN NOT THANK Lili Goldberg and Family
also donate funds raised from their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
enough for their exemplary involvement with
to OneFamily so that other children could celebrate
OneFamily through the William Goldberg Trust.
their Bar Mitzvahs, Michael Berg responds with a
Lili's daughter Deborah Berg and her family have
remarkable confidence and assuredness for a young
continued the legacy of the family's remarkable genman: "I think everyone
erosity, and raised money for
should do it, and I only
OneFamily from the gifts of
Special Ideas to Make Your
wish I had learned about it
her son Mikey's Bar Mitzvah.
Bar or Bat Mitzvah Meaningful earlier so that I could have
Recognizing that celebration
told more of my friends,
comes with responsibility,
TWIN your Bar or Bat Mitzvah with a
who already had their Bar
both Michael Berg and Jake
victim of terrorism. Your donation
Mitzvahs, to do it." Jake
Lazarus decided to take it
will pay for his or her Bar or Bat
Lazarus shared these sentiupon themselves to ask the
Mitzvah.
ments and added a very
guests coming to their Bar
interesting observation of
Mitzvahs to make a donation
INSERT a card in your invitation askhis own. "Many friends of
to the OneFamily Fund in lieu ing your friends and relatives to
make a donation instead of a gift.
my parents want to make
of giving gifts. These donadonations that will help the
tions enabled families affected
ALLOCATE a portion of your gifts to
Jewish people, but do not
by terrorism to celebrate their
help someone in Israel celebrate.
know how. This provided
children's Bar and Bat
HAVE your parents make a donation them with an opportunity
Mitzvahs with happiness and
as part of your simcha.
and they opened their
dignity while moving forward
hearts with generosity."
with hope.
FORGE a meaningful friendship with
a victim of terrorism in Israel.
OneFamily will give you the profile
Agudat Achim in Niskayuna,
THANK YOU TO THOSE OF
of a victim you can help.
NY, Miranda Kalvaria, Harris
YOU WHO HAVE
THOUGHT OF YOUR
GIVE out OneFamily bracelets at your Kaufman, Jeremy Kaufman,
Jessica Klausner, Danielle
BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN
simcha.
Kovack, Jake Lazarus, Amanda
ISRAEL WHEN CELEBRATSPONSOR a computer for a victim of
Lederman, Jesse Lender, Rachel
ING YOUR SIMCHAS, BY
terror.
Lichtman, Alex Malacoff, Oren
DONATING TO ONE
Malvey, Sarah Mandlebaum,
FAMILY TO HELP YOUNG
CREATE a personal project to raise
Avital Mannis, Ariel Nagel,
ADULTS IN ISRAEL CELEawareness of terrorism in Israel at
your party.
Rabbi Iser's Bar/Bat Mitzvah
BRATE THEIR BAR/BAT
Class in Pennsylvania, Cole
MITZVOT WITH DIGNITY.
Contact us. We’re here to help.
Abraham Richman, Alex
Brigitte Afari, Albert Azar,
For more information, please contact
Rieger, Hillary Rieger, Isaac &
Zachary Barnes, Arielle BenJosh Glazer at [email protected]
Eugenia Rosen, Jake Sandler,
Mayer, Gilad Bengio, Michael
Brendan Schwartz, Noah
Berg, Jonathan Boiarsky,
Schwartz, Eric Silverberg, Dayla Silverstein, Jennier
Nicole Brickman, Steven Cole, Talia Coppens, Ben
Edlin, Ellen Feldman, Marnina Gelkopf, Elie Genet, Tais Silverstein, Hannah Simpson, Noah Sliwin, Arielle
Chana Small, Bella Spira, Ben Stein, Margo Suder,
Glasman, Sean Haber, Alexa Hayon, Rachel Hillelsohn,
Jacklyn Temares, Penina Wein, and Samara Wright.
Jill Bucinell's Hebrew School class from Congregation
This is a Thank You letter to Noah Schwartz who sponsored a twinning, with
Avichai Fredj. Avichai's father, Moshe, was seriously injured 3 years ago.
To Noah Schwartz and Family:
It is very easy for a person to think that his world is lost, that his place has been destroyed, that reality has been
blown up, or that the bullet will find him on its path. But there are people, emissaries of kindness, who take us
and lead us to the path of hope. This letter is meant to express our thanks and our love for all those who deal in
such kindness, and especially to you and your family who have given to help us, and to sanctify G-d’s name,
through the performance of the mitzvah “Love Your Fellow As Yourself ”. Thank you for all you have done.
The Fredj family:
Moshe, Linda, Yohanan, Lital, Gamliel, Avichai, Avraham, Shalhevetya, Yehuda and Benaya.
thank you
This great Talmudic sage was
renowned for his emphasis on
charity. Considering the tradition
of giving associated with Rabbi
Meir, there was no more appropriate place for Gabi to meet the
family whose support kept him
and his family afloat during those
most difficult months of their
lives. As a testament to the reality
that We Are All OneFamily, it is
truly appropriate that this Simcha
was shared by the Zada and
Greenberg families, together, in
the Land of Israel!
Bar/Bat
Mitzvah
Twinning
There have been so
many wonderful
people throughout
the year that have
helped us to succeed
in our mission. To
begin to mention
everyone by name
would be impossible, and for fear of missing someone,
we will just say from the bottom of our hearts, to all of
our sponsors, donors, contributors, benefactors,
patrons and hosts, who have opened up their homes
and hearts to us throughout this year, we want to
express a sincere Thank You. You give victims and their
families the hope to find courage when they think they
have lost everything, and strength when they think
they can't go on. When they realize that there are people around the world who will not let the value of life
be overlooked, and who care so deeply that they are
moved to action, it is a testimonial that you will not let
their loss be forgotten. OneFamily would like to
express a very deep thanks and much gratitude for
helping to turn our mission into reality. You make all
that we do possible and you are the foundations upon
which we build.
■ Samuel Lissner, Greg Ismach, Ross Feldman and Remy Sloan organized a
Golf-A-Thon for OneFamily.
■ The Mount Kisco Hebrew Congregation of NY brought one of their
Torah scrolls to Israel and gave it to the family of a terror victim in his
memory.
■ Ann Sundstrum and her Cherry Hill, NJ community hosted a mission of
wounded Israelis in September.
■ Prospect Park High School of Brooklyn, NY participated in the Adopt-AFamily program.
■ The following schools made Rosh Hashana cards that were sent to families in Israel: Solomon Schechter Academy of Ocean and Monmouth
Counties, Solomon Schechter of Manhattan, Ramaz Elementary School,
Stern College, Moriah Elementary School of Englewood, Brauser
Maimonides Academy, Beth Torah Early Childhood Education and Religious
Schools, Hebrew Academy of Greater Miami, Hillel Community Day School,
The Hochberg Family Solomon Schechter Day School, the Jacobson Sinai
Academy Day School and Toras Emes Academy of Miami.
■ Camp Stone girls made a project that they are sending to Israel.
■ Boys from the Mesivta of North Jersey High School volunteer weekly for
the NJ office.
■ Children of the Young Israel of Houston sponsored an art contest and
exhibition, with the Consul General of Israel, in memory of Ariel Zana z"l.
■ Miriam and Fred Kazan, in lieu of gifts, asked that donations be made to
OneFamily in honor of their anniversary.
■ Nancy Messinger of the Auerbach Central Agency of Jewish Education
held a read-a-thon for OneFamily Fund.
■ Daniella Kahane and her committee organized a Chanuka Afterlight event.
■ The Yeshiva University student council held a basketball tournament.
■ Dr. Larry & Naomi Amsterdam donated part of their wedding gift money.
■ Congregation Beth Jacob of Atlanta raised money during Purim.
■ The Manhattan High School for Girls had a bake sale.
■ Congregation Beth Shalom Men's Club of Northbrook, IL raised funds for
the youth camps.
■ Phyllis Jacobs donated proceeds from her book.
■ Jerry and Shelly Abramson introduced OneFamily to their guests in their
Passover appeal.
■ Miriam Baum and the Oceanside, NY community raised over $25,000 with
the "United We Cook" book.
■ Alan and Rochel Feld of Teaneck, NJ had a Sefer Torah dedication at
their home.
■ Sammy Zack started the OneFamily New York Cycling team; fifty riders
rode the Century Bike Tour in New York City on September 11, 2005 and
raised money for OF.
■ 13-year-old Shawn Weiss, of Weston, FL, raised money by selling pizzas
to his friends and family.
■ Retiree Alice Hoffman, of South Florida, hosts regular Sunday afternoon
teas for her friends to benefit OneFamily.
■ Bruriah High School of NJ hosted an inter-high school girl's choir
competition including SKA, Central, Kushner, Bat Torah and Maayanot.
Thank You
from the bottom
of our hearts
OUR VOLUNTEERS SAY IT ALL!
I just wanted to tell you that so far I
have been having the most amazing
experience working for OneFamily
Fund. Last week, I went to the camp for
two-and-a-half days and I really feel
like I was able to speak to the girls and
create a little relationship with them. I
even ran into 2 of the counselors over
the past week in Yerushalayim and it
was great reminiscing with them about
camp. Yesterday I went to Lod to visit
an Ethiopian family and write a bio
about them, and then we went to deliver checks to families in Beer
Sheva. At first, I was a little nervous because I thought that I might be
intruding, just showing up at their house to speak to them, but really
they were so happy and so appreciative that we were there. I gained a
lot from each family that I met. It really was a very meaningful day.
Today I spent the morning with a family in Meah Shearim and the
afternoon with another family. Both families' stories are tragic, but I
was so happy I was able to visit them and help them out a little. Both
of the families were so appreciative that we were there. Also, I enjoy
just going into the office. I'm supposed to leave at the very beginning
of August, but now I'm trying to postpone my flight and stay longer.
Nava Streit emailing from Israel.
OneFamily Fund
Israel: 19 Hartum St., POB 45002, Jerusalem, Israel Phone: (972) 2-571-4516
Eastern US: 25 Rockwood Place Englewood, NJ 07631 Phone: 1-866-9-1-FAMILY (913-2645) Main Line: (201) 227-4660
Southeastern US: 2627 NE 203 Street, Suite 111, Aventura, FL 33180 Phone (305) 931-4545
West Coast: 6100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 225, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Phone (323) 525-0272
Canada: 2 St. Clair Avenue, East, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 2T5 Phone: (416) 644-4955
United Kingdom: JNF House, Spring Villa Park, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7ED Phone: (208) 732-6100
Belgium: Lange Leemstraat 152, Antwerp 2018, Belgium (32) 3-218-9656
France: c/o Bnei Akiva 12, Rue de la Laurraine, Paris 19, France (33) 1-42-401-344
www.onefamilyfund.org ● [email protected]
Donations to OneFamily Fund are tax-deductible in the United States, Canada, UK and Israel.
US tax ID #11-3585917, Canada #85323-3542-RR0001, Israel #580382620, UK#225910. Please make checks payable to OneFamily.
THEY
ARE
GONE
& WE
WILL
NEVER
FORGET
THEM.
BUT
MORE
THAN
40,000
INJURED
AND
BEREAVED
VICTIMS
OF
TERROR
REMAIN.
OneFamily Fund
25 Rockwood Place,
Englewood, NJ 07631
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
ONEFAMILY FUND