150 Survivors From Arab Villages Find Strength At Yad L’Achim’s Shabbos Gathering

One hundred fifty Jewish women and children rescued from Arab villages in recent months joined Yad L’Achim for a heartfelt Shabbos Selichos weekend of encouragement. Special buses brought them from across the country for the inspiring program.

Bechadrei Charedim spoke on Wednesday with some of the attendees. Among the participants was Z., saved about six months ago together with her children, who had spent a year in foster care while she underwent parenting training. A., who endured brutal abuse abroad before being brought to safety, also joined. S. came with her children after escaping extreme violence at the hands of their father. H., rescued only weeks ago from a Bedouin village where she had been locked in her home for months, attended as well; her children had suffered severe bullying from other villagers.

W., who married a Jewish man following 30 years trapped in the Palestinian Authority, shared her story. P. arrived with her three boys, saved in a daring mission from the center of Jenin. A. and Y., both once trapped for years in Arab Chevron, spoke about the hardships they endured and the new lives they are building thanks to Yad L’Achim’s determination.

Each woman carried painful memories; loneliness, confusion, despair, and anger. Over Shabbos, they were given the message: “I am good, I am loved, I belong, I can.”

They heard from Ms. Julie Cooperstein, whose son Bar remains captive in Gaza, and from Ms. Ricky Seaton of the Chevrata Project. Cooperstein shared her ongoing worry for Bar but also her unshakable trust that “even if my beloved son walks in the valley of the shadow of death, Hashem is with him.” Her heartfelt words inspired deep strength in the audience.

The lighting of the Shabbos candles brought tears as survivors voiced gratitude to Hashem for the siyata dishmaya given to Yad L’Achim’s messengers and davened for a brighter future. They joined the Shabbos tefillos with the assembled crowd.

A powerful highlight came during Birchas Kohanim. As the chazzan called “Kohanim,” children gathered beneath a wide tallis while Rabbi Chaim Kahn gave them a bracha from the bimah.

As Shabbos ended, dozens eagerly signed up for a steady Torah-learning circle, receiving bracelets engraved with the words “In the hands of the Borei Olam.”

Meanwhile, the children enjoyed a special Rosh Hashanah activity with Rabbi Yoav Robinson, who taught about the mitzvah of sounding the shofar and blessed them to soon hear the shofar of Moshiach in Yerushalayim.