Running in Aid of One Family and Kids for Kids
Tragically there are an ever increasing number of shattered lives. Each and every person that experiences terrorism, even those who have been "lightly" injured, is deeply affected and is in desperate need of financial, psychological and medical help. One Family aims to help rebuild their shattered lives - shattered by the loss of a family member murdered in a terrorist attack, or a close friend, or maybe they themselves have been hurt.
Sometimes it is enough that terrorist attacks happen in a kid's neighborhood to give them nightmares, or fears, or sadness. Kids for Kids aims to be there to help them and provides a reprieve from the stresses of being under fire and the threats of daily violence.
Unfortunately, my family is no stranger to terror. I lost several family members at the Sbarro Pigua in August 2001, 3 years ago. 2nd cousins Ra'aya (aged 14), Avraham Yitzchak (4) and baby Chemda (all of 2 years), together with their parents Mottie and Tzireleh all lost their lives, Hashem Yenakem Damam. Thankfully 2 other sisters, 11 year old Lea and 9 year old Chaja, were miraculously saved. 3 brothers, Bentziyon, Meir and Shvuel were not at the restaurant at the time.
To briefly introduce myself, my name's Dani. I live in England,
and am about to enter my final year at LSE, the London School of Economics.
I've previously spent 2+ tremendously inspiring years at KBY, Yeshivat
Kerem B' Yavneh. Come the 7th November, I will be donning my running
shoes in order to conquer the New York Marathon. I will be running
jointly in aid of One Family and Kids for Kids; two charity
organizations dedicated to providing support for Victims of Terror in
Israel.
We know Eretz Yisroel Nikneh beyisurin. Without wishing to enter the question as to why, or why Hashem allows good people to suffer, I would like to say that I personally have received huge chizuk, and have been given a tremendous and much needed kick up the backside. For example, my story started even before the devastating pigua. 3 years ago I was in Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh. It was Bein Hazmanim, Sunday 16 Av, 5th August 2001, 4 days before the pigua. Mottie (the Father) took my pelephone and stored his own phone number in it. "Now there's no excuse for you not to come and visit us for a Shabbos" he said to me. "I'd love to" I replied "but why must you live in such a dangerous area - my Mum would have kittens if she'd know I'd been travelling in the West Bank". I can't quite remember if those were my exact words, though I will never forget Mottie's reply to me. "Malach Hamaves mah li hacha mah li hasam"- a Gemara term meaning that when my time is up, my time is up, whether I'm travelling amongst the Arabs in the midst of the West Bank, or sitting eating a pizza with my family in the heart of Jerusalem. Fast forward 4 days, and the rest as they say is history.
Or there's the story of Avraham Yitzchak screaming in pain and Mottie calmly telling him to sit on his lap, so that one last time father and son could recite the Shma together. Then silence, as their Neshamas departed from their bodies. Heart rendering stories, stories that cause the eyes to fill up with tears.
Personally, living in Chutz Laaretz, I feel so disconnected, so helpless as to what I can do to help my brothers in Israel. Which is why independent organizations like One Family and Kids for Kids are so important. They can look at the wider picture, and know exactly what each individual needs. I feel duty bound to publicize the amazing work that these charities perform. I find that in Chutz Laaretz in particular, people are wholly ignorant that such organizations exist. I collected money over Purim, and told people I was collecting for One Family. "Very nice" they proclaimed, "and which family would that be"?!!!
Allow me to briefly explain what One Family and Kids for Kids are all about. Kids for Kids is a youth organization for the recovery of young victims of terrorism. After a terrorist attack, K4K goes to hospitals to be of immediate assistance and gather information for later follow-up K4K services; of which numerous are available. For example, the Eytan group is for 9-13 year olds who have lost a sibling, parent or close friend from the terrorism. The youngsters develops strength during their weekly supportive and fun activities.
Footsteps is the K4K positive approach to the Israeli teens' crisis for emotional recovery from the pain of grief and trauma. Over the course of footstep sessions, activities and workshops, K4K supports, teaches and provides tools for Israeli youth to better cope with the hard realities facing them. Footsteps goal is to enable kids to discover their own strengths, find their own answers and to follow their own healthy footsteps forward.
K4K strives to meet the challenges of youngsters and families whose lives have been shattered by terrorism. They provide a wide range of social services to help them get back on their feet. K4K is dedicated to involving Jewish kids and their families throughout the Diaspora. Details of these and other projects can be found at www.kidsforkids.net.
One Family was established as a direct response to the suffering from the current intifada, determined to help in every way possible. One Family volunteers ensure that every Pound, every Dollar, every Shekel is directed towards those who need it most, reflecting the very ethos of One Family - to provide whatever is needed to ease the pain and suffering of the victims. These victims and their families continue to suffer long after the horrific experience. One Family seeks to ensure that this suffering is alleviated in any way possible.
Money that has been raised by One Family is used in a whole variety of different ways. A by no means complete and exhaustive list includes:
Further information can be found at www.onefamilyfund
In undertaking to run the Marathon, I have achieved the 2 aims
that I set out to do; namely
1) To raise much needed funds for victims of
terror, innocent women and children who are far less fortunate than
ourselves, and
2) To raise awareness of the existence of such wonderful
organizations such as One Family and Kids for Kids. Please support me
to help support those in need. We will never be able to give back to
the victims what they once had. But we can provide significant help in
an endeavor to ease the lives of those who need it most.
I can accept donations in any currency at my home address:
38 Ravenscroft Avenue
London
NW11 8AU
ENGLAND
Cheques/vouchers should be made out to "One Family" which is a UK registered charity: 225910. One Family will give half of all money raised to Kids for Kids.
Alternatively, you can donate online via the secure One Family website at www.onefamilyfund.org. If following this option, please could you ADDITIONALLY endeavor to do the following 2 things:
This will enable me to be able to personally thank you and to keep an accurate record of how much has been raised. On behalf of all those whom your donation will assist - I thank you.
Dani Schurder
To write to Dani, click here
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