Community Magazine October 2003

W hen Mayor Michael Bloomberg chose to invite me as the lone elect- ed official to join him on a solidarity trip to Israel, I was thrilled, but also humbled. More than a year has elapsed since I last set foot in Eretz Yisrael, and during that time, our brothers and sisters living there have endured so much tragedy and hard- ship. Hearing about the devastating, now regular attacks perpetrated by such vicious murderers is painful, but feelings are not enough; it is action that counts. The most important actions we can take is undertak- ing to pray for them, performing acts of chesed, kindness and giving tzedaka, char- ity on their behalf. We must all go the extra mile for our brethren, who have been mer- cilessly battered by one act of terror after another. Therefore, this was an opportuni- ty for me to do my small part to lend some moral support to the Israeli people. Arriving in Israel, we were quickly whisked to Jerusalem, where the first stop on our mission was Hadassah University Medical Center. We were greeted by Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski and a team of doctors, nurses and hospital per- sonnel. After the formal welcome, a doctor held up a chest x-ray of one of the bomb- ing victims for us to view. We were aghast at the gruesome sight – the x-ray looked like a child had scribbled all over its sur- face. There were so many nicks and scratches it did not even look real. Sadly, the doctor assured us that it was not only real, but hardly unusual, and could not speak the volumes this man was suffering. We were then led through the corridors to the room of Chana and Matanya Nathanson, who were on the bus with their daughters. Tehilla, 2, was murdered, 5- month-old Shoshana was seriously wound- ed and Yehudit, 6, suffered minor injuries. It was the final day of shiva, but to be men- achem aveil (a consoler to those in mourn- ing) to a couple who had lost a child and were themselves swathed in bandages was among the most difficult undertakings of my life. What could I possibly say to con- sole them? Beyond the words of Hamakom, there was nothing to say. And yet, unbelievably, they did not need our consolation. The Nathansons not only were smiling, but I was completely unprepared for what they said. “We’re thankful for how good Hashem was to us and to our daughter who was sitting near the bomber and escaped without injury,” Chana declared radiantly. “How much we have to be thankful for!” Her bitachon (faith) brought me close to tears. Here was a woman in a living nightmare who instead of succumbing to despair or anger, was singing the praises of Hashem. Before we left the hospital, I met with a 30 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE s ” xc B Y : S I M C H A F E L D E R A FROM Jeru