Chabad Visits Injured from Kassams in Netivot

NETIVOT, Israel [CHI] — In the Soroka hospital in Be’er Sheva, where the injured from Kassam attacks on Netivot are hospitalized, Rabbi Menachem Kutner from Chabad’s Terror Victim Project, together with the Shliach to Be’er Sheva, Rabbi Zalman Gorelik, visited the injured in the various departments. They lit the Menora and encouraged and uplifted their spirits, while distributing jelly doughnuts to the patients and their worried families.

Yaakov ben Miriam was on his way to the synagogue in the Mivtachim neighborhood, when a Kassam landed near him and exploded. Since then, he has been hospitalized in Intensive Care in serious condition. Yaakov underwent a number of surgeries, and his wife, children and grandchildren wait near his room for updates on his condition.

Chabad gathered the family members in a nearby waiting room and lit the Menora with them, and even sang with them Chanuka songs to the words “In days of old, and in our times”, while everyone put special emphasis on the words “In our times”. The family members thanked the Shliach Rabbi Gorelik and Rabbi Menachem Kutner of Chabad’s Terror Victim Project, saying that up until then, not a single government official took an interest in their situation, and it’s good that Chabad is coming to encourage them in their hour of need.

A child named Gavriel ben Sara is hospitalized in severe shock after witnessing the death of Avraham Vaknin of Netivot. A professional staff is attempting to calm him, while Chabad presented him with Chanuka gifts to cheer him up and bring a smile to his face.

Bat El Hila bas Fibi was with her parents and brothers during Shabbat dinner when a rocket landed near their home. Shrapnel and fragments which entered their home injured Bat El, and she suffered internal injuries. She has undergone two surgical operations since then, and is currently in recovery. Her father happily greeted the visitors saying that they don’t need to identify themselves; he knows they’re from Chabad, always looking out for people like him in difficult situations.

Several beds over, Gila bas Shoshana is hospitalized. She is an older woman who is crying nonstop about the man killed in Netivot, having witnessed it, the images still vivid in front of her eyes. Gila was injured in her hand and back from shrapnel, and is awaiting test results regarding her treatment. Her family members who surround her bed joined in a prayer held in merit of her recovery.

In the coming days, a volunteer staff from the Chabad House will continue to visit the injured, and offer any necessary assistance to the patients and their families.