As we continue to struggle with the myriad of political issues facing our nation, it’s important that we not overlook other challenges going on in the world – especially the continued violence in Israel. While it wasn’t reported on much here in the United States, at least five people were hurt in Petah Tikva, a suburb of Tel Aviv, when a Palestinian terrorist shot passengers on a bus and stabbed another person in the street yesterday. Also failing to get much media coverage yesterday were the rockets that hit the southern Israeli city of Eilat – rockets that were launched by the Sinai division of ISIS which might be in partnership with Hamas. Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported in Eilat.
The individuals who were injured yesterday in Petah Tikva join a group that no one wants to be a part of – a group that is made up of too many men, women and children – a group of survivors who struggle to move forward with their lives, overcome the trauma they experienced and find the courage to be a part of society where terrorism is a harsh reality. Many of these survivors are helped by One Family Fund, a remarkable Israeli organization that provides individualized rehabilitation programs, financial assistance, legal help and personal encouragement to each victim of terror. Their 37 expert staff members, 731 volunteers and four assistants in Israel do incredible and much needed work. The late President Shimon Peres showed his gratitude for One Family Fund by awarding the organization the Presidential Citation for Volunteerism in 2011.
A few weeks ago, I was offered a spot on the One Family Fund NYC Half Marathon Team. Knowing how important this organization is, I jumped at the opportunity to let folks know about One Family Fund and help them raise the resources needed to support their clients. I am proud to be running the NYC Half Marathon as part of One Family Fund and in memory of Yael Yekutiel, Shir Hajaj, Shira Tzur and Erez Orbach – the Israeli soldiers who were killed by a terrorist in Jerusalem last month. You can learn more about the organization here. If you would like to support the work that they do, I invite you to help sponsor my race here. You can also make a check out to One Family Fund and leave it for me in the office.
