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Love & Honor
by Annette van de Kamp-Wright

The women of Beth El's Miriam Initiative will gather on February 22 for an evening of love and honor, "Remembering Bracha," on February 22 at 7pm at Beth El Synagogue. The event is chaired by mother-daughter team Pam Friedlander and Andee Scioli and will honor Bracha Levinson, who was brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7 at her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Bracha is survived by two daughters, Shay and Shahar, and eight grandchildren. She loved her garden, riding her bike, spending time with her family and taking care of others in her kibbutz. Mor Bayder described her beloved grandmother as "the light of my life, the pillar of my life...the purest thing in the world."

"Bracha also loved baking," Pam added. "We will honor her by serving a few of her signature desserts and sending recipe cards home with participants. Together, we will write notes of support and comfort to Bracha's family."

"Since October 7, Jews all over the world have felt heartbroken and helpless." Andee noted. "I feel that Jews are caring, strong, generous, intelligent and good people. We've raised significant money to support Israel and our people and have stayed in contact with representatives in government and the press, but we can always do more."

"Our matriarchs have taught us how to respond," she explained. "It was Miriam who urged the women to be inspirational leaders in their family and their community. It was Miriam who taught women to care for those more vulnerable. And it was Miriam who encouraged women to intervene in history. It is in that spirit that we remember Bracha because the love expressed by her family and friends is pure and good and so much stronger than hate."

"After the Holocaust, we promised ourselves, 'Never Again." Andee recalled. "We need to keep that promise. We need to speak out for every man, woman and child who was brutally murdered or captured by Hamas and other terrorist groups. As Jews, we can't forget what these barbaric terrorists did to Bracha Levinson, her family and so many other innocent civilians in Israel."
Bracha's daughter, Shahar, wrote to her mother after the murder, "...and now I praise you in front of everyone. I don't want them to forget you. I want to talk about you."

In these uncertain and horrific times, Shahar's words remind all of us of the resilience and spirit of the Jewish people... "But mother, your garden did not burn. The work of your life did not catch fire. This is a sign for me that your soul is alive."