Two years ago, on the holiday of Simchat
Torah, Israel awoke to a nightmare: thousands of rockets, unbearable losses,
and the horrifying news of kidnappings. The holiday that is meant to be filled
with joy and celebration of the Torah turned into a day of grief. And now, two
long years later, again on Simchat Torah—the very day when the Jewish people
complete the annual Torah reading cycle and begin it anew—hostages began
returning home to Israel. What profound symbolism lies in this moment! As if
history itself is reminding us: a circle of suffering must close so that a
circle of renewal can begin.
Yes, the war is not over. And any joy we
feel comes together with tears. Israel continues to mourn its fallen, and Hamas
has not yet been defeated. So no one speaks of victory. But perhaps we can
speak of the return of life—of the first shoots of hope pushing through the
ashes of pain.
For us living in America, this November
carries a special resonance. Very soon we will celebrate Thanksgiving—a holiday
that reminds us of the value of life, of family, of mutual support. And this
year, more than ever, we truly feel what we are grateful for.
We give thanks to the Almighty for the
miracle of liberation.
We thank the soldiers of Israel—those who fought and continue to fight day and
night to bring the kidnapped home and defend their people.
We thank everyone who helped, who stood with Israel, who did not turn away.
Our Bukharian Jewish community in America
has stood with Israel from the very first days of the tragedy. We organized
assistance, held charity events, marched in solidarity, prepared meals and sent
them to the IDF, prayed together… And today, I am proud to remind you, dear
readers, that on September 15 of last year, at our “Person of the Year” charity
event in support of Israel, and thanks to the initiative of the Beth Gavriel
Center (the project initiator), we contributed and donated to the ZAKA
organization to help fund a new ambulance in Israel.
The names of many donors are printed on
that ambulance. Because the photo we received is low resolution, we are
reprinting the names here to clearly acknowledge and thank everyone for their
generosity and love for our brothers and sisters:
The contribution of the Bukharian Jewish
Community
“Beth Gavriel,” Boris Kandkhorov, Dr. Zoya Maksumova, Shlomo
Babadostov (Vienna), Dr. Stella Ilyayeva, Dr. Dora Pinkhasova, Dr. Mariya
Mosheyeva, Ruben Leviyev, Svetlana Khanimova-Levitin, Vladimir Katanov, “Melony
Abrams Law Group,” Ladies’ World magazine / Esther a Malka.
Today, as hostages return home, we feel
that not a single prayer was in vain.
We give thanks, and we continue to pray.
Because gratitude means that we continue forward, believing that with the help
of the Almighty, we will complete the good we have begun.
On Thanksgiving Day, one word is spoken in every home—thank you.
Thank you for life. For strength of spirit. For the ability to rejoice again in
the light.
And may that light never fade again.
