*Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
This is a photo of Ayala Shakuri and myself.
Visible in the photo behind us is Mor Shakuri, her daughter, a police officer who was murdered at the Sderot police station on October 7 while battling Hamas terrorists, and her husband, Roni Shakuri, a policeman who was murdered in a terrorist attack less than a year ago.
Ayala, a bereaved mother and widow, was one of many participants in a special trip to the U.S. organized by the organization, ”Menucha Ve’Yeshua,” under the direction of Mendy Kenig.
On this trip, 53 bereaved families received recognition and a warm embrace from Jewish communities in the U.S.
This past Shabbat, Ayala addressed the Israeli and American audience in attendance with the following simple but profound words, which are important for all of us to hear:
“People ask me how I’m doing and how I can continue to live alone in our home in Sderot. And I tell them: I’m not alone. I’ve always known that God was with me. Now I have two representatives — Mor and Roni — who are with Him too. Their physical bodies are no longer here but their souls live on forever. I can feel them by my side.
I was privileged to live with two people who always wanted to do good. I’m grateful to have had this privilege and want to carry on their life missions. They were both tremendous souls. Mor would recite the prayer “Mizmor Le’todah” (“A song of thanksgiving”) every day, so how can I not do so? Mor excelled at honoring her parents and I ask the youth of today to follow in her ways.
On the night before she was murdered, our Mor met a young woman who was drunk and confused who told her that she wanted to go to the Nova festival. She stopped her from going and took her home. She told us that night: “I’ve done my good deed for the day.” This is one small example of how she cared for others.
Roni was also a special soul. When people ask me what I miss the most about him I say, ‘As far as I’m concerned, he could sit on the couch and not do anything at all.’ My message for everyone is to treasure your loved ones while they are still with you— just appreciate that you have them in your life.
My response to this double tragedy is to do more and more. To choose life. To follow a daily routine, to act, to work, to wake up every morning ready to meet new challenges.”
I told Ayala that she reminded me of something that’s written in last week’s parasha. The Torah says that Avraham Avinu “came to eulogize Sarah and to cry for her.” But immediately following this depiction of his mourning for his wife, Sarah Imeinu, is the word: “Va’yakom”—"And Avraham rose.” He mourned and cried, but then he got up and started moving forward.
May we hear good news soon.
