The Baby‚ the Doctor and the IDF Soldier Meet Around the Chanuka Menorah of The CYO
A very special party was held on the seventh day of Chanukah for the families of terror and war victims in the city of Ashkelon and its vicinity.
A very special party was held on the seventh day of Chanukah for the families of terror and war victims in the city of Ashkelon and its vicinity.
The staff of the Chabad Youth Organization, together with the Chabad House in Ashkelon, arranged to have present, Tair Afjin, a baby, and Dr. Mirela Siderer, both of whom were severely wounded in a terror attack at the Kanion Hutzot shopping mall. Also there was IDF soldier, Ben Buchnik, of the Givati division, who was critically injured in the Cast Lead campaign. All three lit the Chanukah candles together, giving over the message to all present that: "The light shall overcome".
From the Fire of Battle and Terror to the Fire of the Chanukah Menorah…
One year ago, we were in midst of war.. The southern cities of Israel were being bombarded by rockets. The terrorists hit the city centers, severely wounding women, men, babies and children, making no distinction between them.
At the Kanion Hutzot in Ashkelon, Dr. Mirela Siderer was in the midst of a regular working day. She was dispensing care in the medical clinic when, out of nowhere, a rocket suddenly slammed into the area where she was working, causing terrible destruction and many grave injuries, including to the doctor herself. The Chabad Youth Organization was summoned immediately to visit the injured, extend emergency aid where necessary, and pray for the recovery of those wounded.
This year, on Chanukah, was a joyful closing of the circle that began on that fateful day. We saw many of the very seriously wounded people now healed and standing on their own around the Chanukah Menorah. Each of them had their own personal Chanukah miracle, reinforcing the message to the whole world that, "The light shall vanquish the darkness." These were the words spoken by the evening's host, Rabbi Menachem Kutner, of the Chabad Youth Organization.
As they entered the Chanukah celebration, each family received a gift of a Menorah and dreidels for the children. They were invited to sit at tables laden with Chanukah doughnuts (sufganiyot) and other Chanukah delicacies.
They heard words of encouragement from the Lubavitch Shaliach in Ashkelon, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lieberman. Mr. Shlomo Cohen, the Deputy Governor, brought words of blessing from the city to these families, and Council Member Mr. Herzl Barzilai brought the good wishes of the town council.
The Injured Light the Candles…
At the center of this evening was the traditional lighting of the seventh candle by the IDF fighter, Ben Buchnik, a resident of Ashkelon who is recovering from his wounds received during Cast Lead and undergoing rehabilitation. The crowd was deeply moved to see Ben, Tair, and Dr. Siderer lighting the candles. Everyone sang Chanukah songs together accompanied by the Klezmer musician, "Aharon the Player", who entertained the crowd by playing on original instruments.
I Decided to Live…
Dr. Siderer spoke emotionally on behalf of all the families of those wounded by terror and war. She told her personal story:
“Good evening to everyone and Happy Holiday.
“The festival of Chanukah is the festival of the miracle of the jug of oil. I want to tell you about my own personal miracle. Chanukah celebrates the victory of the few over the many. It is actually a story of survival. I wish to tell you this evening of my personal survival.
“On 14.5.08 I was at work as usual in the women's clinic of Kupat Cholim in the Kanion Hutzot mall in Ashkelon. It was another usual day, soon scheduled to come to an end. At 18:00 a Grad rocket fell in the shopping mall with a direct hit to the clinic where I work.
“At that moment I had a patient in my room. The place filled with smoke. A queer silence surrounded us. I must have lost consciousness for a few seconds. I found myself thrown beneath the ruins with my patient lying on top of me. We were both injured, but we were conscious. Blood was flowing from my left arm, my face burnt me, and I felt a ball of fire inside me. On top of me lay my patient, who was critically wounded in the stomach.
“After a few seconds I began to recover from the first shock. With one hand I reached out and found my cellular phone and called my husband who is also a doctor. I asked him to come and save me.
“People have asked me why I called my husband. They said the emergency forces are across from the mall. I guess it was just instinctive. At that moment I relied only on him. I knew that he would come immediately and save me. Meantime I calmed the wounded woman and encouraged her and told her that soon the emergency squad and my doctor friends would be on the way to rescue us.
“I was afraid that she would faint so I spoke to her the whole time. In a short while, the emergency personnel arrived together with my fellow doctors. They sent us to the hospital.
“At that moment, I decided that I wanted to live, I would not give in. The fight for my life began. For the past year and a half I have undergone a series of operations and treatments. Today I hope that I'm towards the end and I'll soon be able to return to work.
“During this period I decided that I cannot remain silent and I'll fight with all my might against the stupidity, unfairness, and indecency of the Goldstone Report. I traveled to Geneva and testified opposite his committee. I strived to explain in my testimony the situation in the country. After the distorted report was publicized, I traveled once more to the United Nation institutions in Geneva, and tried to shout out my message to the whole world. To my sorrow, we are isolated in the world political arena and my voice was not heard.
“As in the days of the Maccabees, today too Israel is still fighting its war of survival. We must continue to fight for our right to live in the country of Israel. History proves that the nation of Israel is strong and, despite all the hardships, has survived and will survive forever.
“Our faith is strong and will continue to be strong. And with G‑d's help, the day will come when we will live in peace in our land. I wish you all a happy Chanukah.”
At the end of this very emotional event, all the families thanked the Chabad Youth Organization for arranging this wonderful and meaningful evening that gave all those present the encouragement and the hope to be able to continue to cope with the many challenges of their difficult recuperations.
