Your Faithfulness is Bringing Lifesaving Bomb Shelters to Israel

In times of unimaginable trauma, stories like the Cohen family’s remind us of the strength of the human spirit and the profound impact of compassion. Their journey highlights the hardships faced by families in Israel and the healing power of initiatives like the Fund for Victims of Terrorism, supported by Keren Hayesod. This story is not only about enduring hardship but about finding hope and healing through community and faith.

Five years ago, during Sukkot 2019, Revital and Eli Cohen of Beersheba embarked on what was meant to be a joyful family outing to Jerusalem with their three youngest children—Talia, 6; Hodaya, 4; and Yagel, 1.5. Their first stop was the Western Wall, a sacred site for reflection and prayer. Tragically, a wrong turn led them into the neighboring village of Silwan, where they found themselves surrounded by an angry crowd. The mob pelted their car with rocks, shattering windows and damaging the vehicle. Though they miraculously escaped without physical injuries, the psychological wounds ran deep.

Even before the Oct. 7 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, there had been clear evidence that anti-Semitism across the globe was growing rapidly.
Recently, the FBI reported that anti-Semitic hate crimes have hit record-high levels in the United States.
Last year there was a 63% increase in all reported anti- Semitic incidents.