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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

OneFamily Unites 1,000 Bereaved Israelis for Remembrance Day Ceremony

From Jerusalem Post · (4m ago) English Positive tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • OneFamily hosted an annual memorial ceremony in Jerusalem for over 1,000 bereaved Israelis, offering a supportive space for families of fallen soldiers and terror victims.
  • The event, themed "Option B," focused on finding the strength to live, remember, and move forward after loss, rather than dwelling on the unfulfilled wish for loved ones to return.
  • Co-founder Chantal Belzberg emphasized the organization's mission to support families in their grief, highlighting their courage and determination to continue living with love and memory.

In Israel, Remembrance Day is a deeply personal and communal experience, marked by profound grief and an unwavering commitment to memory. The Jerusalem Post's coverage reflects this national sentiment, focusing on the resilience and strength of bereaved families.

Tonight, we stand here together with one shared wish: to keep moving forward, to carry their memory with us, and to build a more connected, united, and whole Israeli society.

— Laly Derai and Liat SmadgaCo-hosts and bereaved mothers speaking at OneFamily's Remembrance Day ceremony.

OneFamily's ceremony, as detailed in this report, offers a vital alternative to traditional commemorations. It provides a sanctuary for those who have lost loved ones to terror and conflict, allowing them to share their pain and find solace in a community that understands. The theme of "Option B"—finding the courage to live on—resonates deeply within a society that has endured so much loss.

Chantal Belzberg's words, especially her description of the organization's mission to help families find the strength for a "second wish," capture the spirit of Israeli resilience. This is not about forgetting, but about integrating memory into a life that continues to move forward. The impending Israel Prize for Belzberg is seen not just as a personal honor, but as recognition of the collective courage of these families.

The first wish is always the same: that the door will open, that this is all just a nightmare, that their loved one will return. But when that wish cannot be fulfilled, a second wish must somehow be found: the strength to keep living, to remember, and to move forward without leaving their loved one behind.

— Chantal BelzbergOneFamily co-founder and chairwoman explaining the ceremony's theme and the dual wishes of bereaved families.

From an Israeli perspective, this story is about the enduring power of community and the determination to rebuild and unite even in the face of immense tragedy. It highlights a uniquely Israeli approach to remembrance: honoring the fallen by living fully, carrying their memory forward, and striving to create a stronger, more connected society. This focus on moving forward, while deeply honoring the past, is a narrative that resonates powerfully here.

Your first wish was not fulfilled, but your second wish is our mission.

— Chantal BelzbergOneFamily co-founder and chairwoman addressing the bereaved families.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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