United We Grow

Nicole Nathan Bem
We are a tight nation. The more fiercely we are attacked, the closer
we become; the more we are threatened, the stronger we grow.
On June 11, Ayala Shapira celebrated her bat mitzvah. Seems
like a wonderful simcha for any 12-year-old girl. But Ayala is not a regular 12
year old. She is a hero, a survivor and an inspiration to everyone in the
country.
Just six months ago, on December 25, Ayala was in the car with
her dad when a Palestinian teenager lobbed a firebomb at their car. 

The Shapira’s car after it was firebombed.

Ayala,
whose whole body was set on fire, had the presence of mind to exit the car, and roll when she hit
the ground. After being set on fire, she found the strength to walk and
find help. During this terror attack,  she
suffered third degree burns over much of her upper body and face.

Since that horrific day, Ayala has been in the hospital undergoing multiple surgeries and rehab. As it was her dream to go the Temple Mount in honor of her bat mizvah and offer prayers of thanks, she was released from the hospital for a week to mark the occasion. 

In the words of Ayala’s mom, “Half a year ago, we weren’t sure we’d make it to this moment. She’s simply a heroic girl. She decided she’s not going to withdraw, rather will emerge to the world and she’s emerging to the world. Her situation improves from day to day.”

After this gruesome attack, the country united in prayers. Recently, the nation celebrated with Ayala, sending her videos of support and admiration, words of hope and blessings. 

The girls of my daughter’s high school sent warm wishes. As did children in a nearby Kfar Saba school.  Days of darkness here arequickly filled by light and kind deeds.



 Another example of light overcoming darkness was held here
on June 3. This was Unity Day, when one million people gathered to mark the
one-year anniversary of the three teens’ killing. Read last year’s posting Bring Back our Boys. 

Comforted by Israelis from all walks of life after this tragedy, the parents of
these boys decided that their sons’ legacy had to be Jewish Unity. 
 When it seems as if the world is turning against Israel, the
unity here simply strengthens. Just last Friday, the Hassidic Rebbe of Vizhnitz announced that all his yeshiva students should
enlist in the IDF.

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This is a dramatic move and shows a
complete turnaround from the standard Hareidi view of not serving in the army. And
this is yet another vote for Jewish unity that strengthens us and makes our
hearts swell.



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Published by Nicole Nathan Bem

I am a writer and editor. When I moved to Israel with my family in 2005, I decided to create this blog, wanting to capture the intensity of living in this land. Days are never static; they are vibrant and there is a depth of emotion here that I feel nowhere else. These pages are my honest reflection and observations of life in Israel as an Anglo immigrant.

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