"Hello Sivan, On October 7th my husband Amichai Schindler was critically wounded in battles at our kibbutz, Kerem Shalom.
For Chanuka, what he wanted most was to light the menorah, despite having lost half his right hand and several fingers on his left hand. He lit the Chanuka candles in the rehabilitation department at Sheba Medical Center and recited the 'Shehecheyanu' blessing for the gift of life itself. We survived.
This year, we're already out of the hospital. We're in a temporary home, but it's our own home, and Amichai has a prosthetic that helps him hold the candle more easily. This year the 'Shehecheyanu' blessing is much more powerful. We didn't just survive - God simply gave us life. Brought us back to life again and again. We received life forces to make an impact and do good. To live life to the fullest. We grew and will continue to grow. Not just us, all of Israel. Happy Chanuka from the Schindler family."
(In the video: A short clip from last year's candle lighting, and then this year's complete 'Shehecheyanu' blessing)
