Another year to be thankful for all my blessings including: a beautiful family, good friends, stable health, and living in Israel and being a part of Jewish history and miracles. Another very special blessing is my work at EMUNAH Israel. EMUNAH is an amazing organization that has impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of abused, neglected and at-risk Israeli children, women and families for over 80 years. Recently, I met with staff and children residing in the Emunah Achuzat Sarah Residential Home in Bnei Brak. Achuzat Sarah is home to nearly 100 children, all having been removed from their homes by court order due to severe familial dysfunction and trauma including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, extreme violence, or death of a parent(s). When Achuzat Sara opened its doors in 1958 (a year after I was born), it soon became one of Israel’s leading children’s homes providing a safe haven, shelter and loving care for the broken hearted and abused children. Children like Ruth - a very special girl who suffered terribly after her family immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia when she was 9 years old.

Her story is heart-breaking, but unfortunately, is all too familiar to those at EMUNAH. After witnessing the murder and suicide of her parents, Ruth came to live at EMUNAH Achauzat Sarah. She was given the love, support, and education necessary to heal and build a life for herself. Today, Ruth is a commander in the IDF, giving back to others. Her future dreams include college and raising a family where her children will have a stable and loving home and never experience the pain, loss and heartbreak that she did.