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22 HASHALOM November
2016
November 2016
HASHALOM
23
COMMUNITY NEWS
By Cheryl Unterslak
My recent trip to Israel was very successful
.
There were many happy children when they saw their new clothing
for the Chagim, as well as other gifts. I went all around the country
delivering to the children in their homes and I was able to tell them
and their parents about the wonderful South African community
and how much we support them and send them love after their
lives have been changed forever, from acts of terrorism.
During my trip I delivered Yomtov clothing packages as well as
numerous backpacks, Bar and Batmitzvah gifts, wedding boxes and
baby bags. Every single family was deeply touched by the fact that
the gifts were all sent from far away and that I came to Israel to visit
them in their homes. These gifts are very comforting and many say
that the support helps to give them strength to carry on. They are
very appreciative!
I visited with many heroes, for example the Ariel family whose
daughter Hallel was stabbed to death in her bed. The parents are
hurting but are so determined to be strong and to carry on. They
are busy raising funds for an organization that will be in their
daughter’s name that will help others. The two younger siblings are
adorable and are also very brave. They still stay in the same room
that their sister was killed in but there are now burglar guards on all
the windows. They explained that they have to be strong otherwise
the terrorists win. I was also shown their vineyards, which is the
area where that the terrorist got into their home, and the area
where they make wine.
I visited a hero, who was the security guard, who went to a home
and a terrorist who was still in the house, hiding in a bedroom,
lunged at him and he was stabbed, and then sadly a soldier that
was with him, shot him in the eye while neutralizing the terrorist.
It is a miracle that he is well today and only suffers from the loss
of his eye. He is very positive for the future. All of his children also
received backpacks full of gifts from children and families in JHB
and Cape Town.
I heard so many stories of miracles and extraordinary bravery, and I
am in awe of the fact that we are a nation of heroes.
I did bring back numerous thank you letters from the children as well
as a few thank you gifts and photographs and I am busy distributing
them to schools and individuals who they are addressed to. Many
children asked to not be photographed and if they did allow me
to photograph them they asked that their images please not be
shared on social media.
Thank you to everyone who showed these heroes that they
care and for giving them so much happiness and comfort!