Israel Emergency Action Fund

The Israel Action committee is restarting TST’s “Israel Emergency Action Fund.” This will be an effort to help specific Israeli individuals and families who have very big and measurable needs due to the war. These individuals will come vetted to us from trusted sources in the congregation and in Israel. Every few weeks, the committee will present a different case and seek support from our temple members. This will be direct tzedakah, from TST to the person. Read more about the people below, and in the letter from our clergy and the Israel Action Committee below.  

New Family to Support:

We ask that the contributions be made to TST Israel Emergency Fund, either by check sent to the Temple, or by simply clicking this link and filling out the form.

The Golans of Kfar Aza

The Epstein Family - 5/17/24

This week we introduce a devastated family that brings wrenching meaning to the statistics we hear. What we read about is not just numbers: It is the aching grief of tragic loss of children, of parents, of siblings as they face the catastrophic loss of loved ones.  Ayelet and Ori Epstein and their family were longtime residents of Kfar Aza, the community 3 kilometers from the border. This community was savaged on October 7. Early in the attack, Ori’s Mother Bilha was murdered on the balcony of her home. She was an Elder of the Kibbutz and a 50 year resident. Her husband, Amos, survived the rampage having witnessed his wife’s execution only to learn of the additional loss of two grandsons and his son in law. The family has tragically noted that Bilha was “lucky” to go first without learning of the losses to her beloved family.

Several hours into the attack, around 11:30, the terrorists reached the home of Ayelet and Ori’s son Netta. Netta, aged 22 was just out of service in the paratroopers. He lived with his fiancé Iren Shavit. Netta and Iren were huddled in the safe room and briefly eluded the murderers. Having failed to enter the safe room, the terrorists eventually hurled a grenade into the room. Netta instantly threw himself upon the grenade to save Iren’s life. Iren somehow managed to conceal herself amidst the chaos and horror under Netta’s body and silently remain beneath his lifeless remains for five hours until she was rescued. Iren’s strength to go on is matched only by Netta’s love and heroism. Iren goes forward, consumed by her immediate understanding that Netta’s life would not be taken in vain and that she had to stay alive. 

Netta was studying engineering and was a huge soccer fan of Beitar Yerushalayim and Liverpool. He played goalie for Hapoel Beer Sheva. Iren already bought her wedding dress. The struggle to deal with Netta’s loss is immense for her and for Ayelet and Ori.

Ayelet’s nephew, Nitzan Libstein, aged 19 was also killed in the onslaught. It was Nitzan’s second brush with death as he narrowly survived a mortar attack from Gaza in 2014 that scarred him for life. He overcame his fears and was about to enlist in the IDF when he was killed. Nitzan’s father Ofir, who was head of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional council, was also killed in the attack.

Finally, Ayelet’s brother in law, Uri Russo was also killed in the onslaught that horrible day. Uri was a long time resident of the Kibbutz, and he was a member of the on-call security team. Outgunned and outnumbered, he fought bravely and neutralized six terrorist before he fell defending the Kibbutz.   

Both young and old, a member of each generation of this family was senselessly and brutally murdered. It is hard to comprehend. It seems almost irrelevant after relating these tragic and unbearable losses to also note that every material possession of this family was also destroyed. They now live in Matan, a small village near Shfayim where most of the Kfar Aza survivors currently reside. They hope to return someday to a restored Kfar Aza. 

Please consider a contribution to the Epstein family as they try to rebuild their lives. No contribution is too small and every contribution is a reminder that they are not alone, and that as a people we are one family.  

We ask that the contributions be made to TST Israel Emergency Fund, either by check sent to the Temple, or by simply clicking this link and filling out the form like the picture below.

Gali Segal and Ben Binyamin 5/3/24

The story of Gali, 27, and Ben, 29, should just be the story of a beautiful young Israeli couple starting life together.  They knew each other for 7 years, fell in love and became engaged on a recent trip to Italy where Ben presented Gali with a ring and a bouquet of roses.  Gali studied interior design and Ben works in Real Estate, though his passion is soccer.  He played in the national league as a defender.  Their active, joyful, optimistic lives were ambushed when they attended the Super Nova Music Festival to celebrate Ben’s birthday with friends.  As the rockets fell, and the terror began, they were directed to run from the festival.  They dodged mortars and then gunfire to get to their car with their dear friend Shani.  When the cars were blocked, a policeman motioned to them to run for a mobile shelter near a bus stop. The three of them were crammed into the shelter but thought they had found safety despite the darkness and intense claustrophobia.  Terrorists with explosions and gunfire approached the shelter and began spraying it with bullets.  They sprayed the interior with gunfire, but Gali and Ben survived this terrifying assault.  Moments later, the terrorists began throwing grenades into the shelter and Gali and Ben assumed they would die.  In the murderous explosions, most of the group were slaughtered, but miraculously, both Gali and Ben survived with each suffering multiple grievous wounds and both of them losing their right leg.  They both went into shock and were miraculously retrieved from the carnage of the explosion and taken separately to Soroka Hospital where they were accidentally reunited in the trauma center.  They have stayed together almost every moment since as they have endured surgeries and recovery and rehab.  Gali and Ben have a long road ahead as they continue their recovery from the very great physical and mental wounds.  They will marry this summer as they planned.  In the darkness of all that happened, theirs is a unique story of love and dedication, miracles and perseverance and determination.  If you would like to support this young couple as they complete their arduous rehab and stand under the Chuppah with the two legs they share, please remember that no gift is too small and any gift reminds them they are not alone as they bravely go onward with their lives.  Shabbat Shalom.          

Ori Reches - 4/19/24

This week we are introducing our community to one of the harshest stories of war.  Ori Reches is a 20 year old frontline battle sharpshooter with the IDF.  A young man of extraordinary courage and bravery, Ori’s story is also one of the greatest trauma and sacrifice.  On December 20, 2023, Ori and his unit were battling in the heart of Gaza and they were hit with both heavy gunfire and attacked with explosives.  Three soldiers were badly wounded, but Ori’s wounds were truly devastating.  He suffered multiple catastrophic injuries to his head and brain, his arms and his hands.  His life was in great jeopardy as he was medivacked to the hospital.  Three Doctors intervened immediately on the battlefield and on the transport to somehow get Ori to the emergency room while still alive. He was intubated on the battlefield and his wounds were partially stabilized aboard the helicopter.  Upon arrival, Ori began a hospital odyssey that started with 12 hours of life saving surgery followed by a month in an induced coma and multiple further surgeries.  Ori’s parents, his Mother Niv and his Father Raz, arrived almost immediately along with Ori have not left his bedside since the first moment.  Their lives are now devoted to Ori’s painful recovery and long and brutal convalescence.  There are at least two years of therapy and many more surgeries ahead for Ori, and only at the end of these treatments can there be hope for reconstructive surgery to reassemble his nose, lips and face and to obtain a cosmetic eye to replace the one he lost.  As you know, we try to have pictures to introduce the people we are introducing, but Ori’s wounds are so extensive that no photo could be taken that affords him the dignity he so fully deserves.  Ori’s family needs our emotional support and friendship.  If you can make a gift of any amount, it will remind the Reches family that they are not alone in the long difficult days ahead.  As always, no gift is too small and is a reminder that we are all one family.  Am Yisrael Chai.  

A New Family to Support - Ofek Vaxman - 3/29/24

This week we share the story of Ofek Vaxman and his remarkable family. Ofek is a 20 year old IDF volunteer who has seemingly struggled against all odds his whole life. Ofek and his younger brother are both autistic. They lost their mother at a young age, and both brothers were raised by their amazing father, Reuven. On the terrible morning of October 7th, the family was visiting relatives when their house suffered a direct rocket hit and collapsed. 

Ofek was grievously injured and trapped beneath the rubble. Miraculously, Ofek’s father was able to dig him out from beneath the rubble and somehow get him to care in time to save his life. Ofek was in a coma, in the most critical condition, for the two weeks following the attack. He required intensive medical care including multiple surgeries. 

As a result of his injuries, Ofek is now paralyzed below the waist. He remains hospitalized and his father or his aunt is by his side at all times to help Ofek communicate with and understand the medical staff. Reuven has been unable to work since the attack as he cares for Ofek. The suffering of this patient and family is so great, yet seemingly matched by their love and devotion to each other and their extraordinary resilience. We hope to provide some support, friendship and assistance to this truly worthy family and hope you will consider helping them at this difficult time. No gift is too small and every amount will help.   

We ask that the contributions be made to TST Israel Emergency Fund, either by check sent to the Temple, or by simply clicking this link and filling out the form like the picture below.

Our original post:

Dear Congregation:

One of the most beautiful and compelling messages of our Jewish heritage is expressed in the words: “It is not for you to complete the task, but neither are you free to turn away from it.” Those words come to mind as we think about the barbaric Hamas attack and the many people in Israel whose lives were changed forever on October 7th. 

So many of us asked ourselves: “What can I do to ease some of the suffering that so many in Israel have endured?” And, “what might we do as a congregation to affirm our bond with the people of Israel at a time when so many face such great need?”

Years ago during the Second Intifada, when suicide bombers were exploding themselves in the midst of Jewish crowds, we as a congregation embraced 81 Israeli Jews and helped them with the financial demands they were facing. We came to know them as individuals; children, mothers and fathers, people young and old. As a congregation, we raised and distributed more than $750,000 to these people, each of them facing profound emotional and financial challenges. We significantly impacted their lives, and some of those connections continue until today. 

And now we want to do it again. We have been in direct contact with a number of individuals and families who have endured great suffering and face great and immediate need. 

Our plan is to introduce some of these people to our congregation with the hope of offering them financial and emotional support. Every few weeks we will communicate their “story”, with the intent of helping them rebuild their lives. Yes, we as a congregation are being asked to contribute, with no amount being too small or too large.

Previously Supporting:

We have been in contact with the Golan family who survived the attack in kibbutz Kfar Aza who lost virtually everything but their own lives. Ariel is a social worker while his wife, Ellay, is a physician. They have a baby daughter named Yael and parents who also lived on the kibbutz. As the terrorists entered Kfar Aza, the Golan family hid in their safe room hoping to avoid the attack. But their home was set on fire with a gas tank thrown into the safe room, causing severe burns to their bodies. Throughout the ordeal Elay continued to nurse Yael to keep her from crying and revealing their hiding place. After many hours, the Golan family was rescued by soldiers and transported to Sheba Hospital. Ellay was then placed in an induced coma for 58 days, while Ariel and Yael also spent time in an induced coma for the severe burns that covered their bodies. All three were eventually released to the rehabilitation department for their wounds. While they have lost everything they owned, they take solace in having their lives and each other – even as they each face great hardship and pain.

Let us help this worthy family face the challenges that they must now endure. We are asking each temple family to consider a contribution of any amount as a symbolic gesture of our congregation’s support for the people of Israel. All contributions will go directly to the Golan family and others who will be announced in the coming weeks and months. We ask that the contributions be made to TST Israel Emergency Fund, either by check sent to the Temple, or by simply clicking this link and filling out the form like the picture below.

Thank you for supporting these families. 

Now especially, 

Rabbi Emeritus David Greenberg

Rabbi David Wilfond

Cantor Ines Kapustiansky Szterenberg

Israel Action Committee