(English below.)
כתגובה
לטרגדיה אותה עברו, המשפחות שער, יפרח ופרנקל קיבלו החלטה מודעת להרבות אחדות בעולם היהודי, ובשל כך קבעו את יום חטיפת הנערים
כיום האחדות
בירושלים קוים רצף הרצאות ופאנלים בנושא האחדות; בערב ניתנו
פרסים ליחידים וארגונים שפעלו למען אחדות.
היה לנו את הכבוד הגדול להציג את השמיכות למשפחות לפני שעלו
לפאנל.
הקדמה קצרה הסבירה לכולם את מטרתנו ליצור אחדות ולתת נחמה, והציגה
את מרחב התופרות שהשתתף בפרויקט; פתחנו שמיכה אחת להראות לכולם, ו רחלי פרנקל עלתה לבמה כדי להודות לנו בשם המשפחות.
זה נשמע מהיר? אכן היה! לא אמרנו מילה, אבל היה לנו את הכבוד לייצג כל אחת ואחת מכן – המילים שלכן, התפרים
שלכן, האהבה
שלכן, התקווה
שלכן – בפני המשפחות ביום מיוחד זה.
לאחר מכן הייתה לנו את הזכות לשמוע את כל שלושת הזוגות מדברים
על תקוותיהם לעתיד. עומק המחשבה, החום והשקיפות שלהם נגעה לליבנו. ישר, עצוב ומלא תקוה בבת אחת - היה מעורר
השראה.
התודות שלנו מסורות לכל אחת ואחת ששלחה ריבוע, לאלו שעזרו לתפור את השמיכות, וגם
לאלו ששלחו מסרים של אכפתיות ועידוד. זו היתה חוויה מהממת של אחדות בפועל ואנו מתפללות שכל אחת
מאיתנו תמשיך להגדיל אחדות בחיינו היומיומיים.
In response to their great tragedy,
the Shaer, Yifrach and Fraenkel families made a conscious decision to increase
unity in the Jewish world, and so yesterday, the anniversary of the boys'
kidnapping, was named Unity Day.
In Jerusalem, a series of lectures and panel discussions focusing on unity took place in the afternoon; in the evening, prizes were awarded to people and organizations that promote and increase Jewish unity.
It was our great honor to be invited to present our Unity Quilts to the families just before they sat on a panel together in the afternoon.
A brief introduction told everyone in the auditorium about our goals to create unity and offer comfort, and described the wide range of quilters who contributed; we opened one quilt to show to everyone, and Racheli Fraenkel came to the stage to thank us on behalf of all the families.
Does it sound quick? It was! We didn't say a word, but were honored to have the opportunity to represent each and every one of you - your words, your stitches, your love, your hope - directly to the families on such a unique day.
We were then privileged to hear all three couples discussing their hopes for unity in the future. We were touched by their depth of thought, intelligence, warmth and authenticity. Honest and sad and hopeful, all at once. It was humbling and inspiring.
Our thanks, which cannot be expressed deeply enough, go to each and every person who sent us blocks, who helped sew, quilt, and bind these quilts - and also to each of you who sent messages of care and support. This was a beautiful experience of unity in action, and we pray that each of us will continue to enlarge Jewish unity in our daily lives.
In Jerusalem, a series of lectures and panel discussions focusing on unity took place in the afternoon; in the evening, prizes were awarded to people and organizations that promote and increase Jewish unity.
It was our great honor to be invited to present our Unity Quilts to the families just before they sat on a panel together in the afternoon.
A brief introduction told everyone in the auditorium about our goals to create unity and offer comfort, and described the wide range of quilters who contributed; we opened one quilt to show to everyone, and Racheli Fraenkel came to the stage to thank us on behalf of all the families.
Does it sound quick? It was! We didn't say a word, but were honored to have the opportunity to represent each and every one of you - your words, your stitches, your love, your hope - directly to the families on such a unique day.
We were then privileged to hear all three couples discussing their hopes for unity in the future. We were touched by their depth of thought, intelligence, warmth and authenticity. Honest and sad and hopeful, all at once. It was humbling and inspiring.
Our thanks, which cannot be expressed deeply enough, go to each and every person who sent us blocks, who helped sew, quilt, and bind these quilts - and also to each of you who sent messages of care and support. This was a beautiful experience of unity in action, and we pray that each of us will continue to enlarge Jewish unity in our daily lives.
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Thank you ladies of the Quilting Corner who participated in this project. We made squares to be included in these 3 quilts. It made a difference in our lives.
Etty, thank you for sharing this and thank you for allowing me to be involved.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sara. We always appreciate your comments.
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