The Call From Israel

On Thursday the 17th, the phone rang very early. I saw that it was from Israel and picked up the phone and on the other side was Shira saying hello. It was 2 pm in Israel while it was 7 am for us when they called. While I was on the phone with Shira, she told me that she was very excited about meeting me in Israel for my Bat Mitzvah (which actually is our Bat Mitzvah). She told me that she wanted me to make her another rainbow loom bracelet because I enclosed two with my second letter. I asked her what her two favorite colors are and they are blue and pink. Shira and her mother asked me what I wanted for a Bat Mitzvah gift and I responded that the gift was to meet you. After Shira got off the phone, her mother had told us that she doesn't let her injuries stop her from being happy. In my mind, I felt a connection, because I have an auto-immune disorder that causes my hair to fall out. I don't let that stop me. I think it's great that Shira also has a lot of supportive friends like me. 

I learned that Shira is having cornea surgery very soon because she still has three shraphnel in her left eye. her mother also mentioned a future trip to New York is being planned for Shira to have plastic surgery. I hope to visit her if she comes to New York. 

I just had a meeting for my Bat Mitzvah and I will soon be announcing where the ceremony will be held in Israel. I'm hoping to have it on a mountain. If you think you know what landmark I'm talking about, comment down below. I have a lot of special ideas in the works.

Will blog soon,

Samantha

The Shmuel HaNavi Bus Bombing On August 19, 2003

Dear Followers,

Today, I am visiting with my great-grandma Goldie and with her company I am researching the bus bombing that Shira and her family were involved in. It was August 19, 2003 and Shira was 1.5 years old. She and the rest of her family were on their way home from the Western Wall in Jerusalem and were on bus #2 when a Palestinian suicide bomber disguised himself as an Orthodox Jew and set off a bomb killing himself and eighteen other people who were a mix of children and adults. The victims ranged in age 3 months to age 73.  There was also over 110 injured and due to some injuries, some did not survive.

Hamas, a terrorist organization in Gaza had claimed responsibility for the attack.  August 19, 2003 in the Jewish calendar is the month of Elul. Elul is the month of selihot. The week before Rosh Hashanah, Jews recite special penitential prayers. That is prayers for forgiveness.  As I think about Shira, we are coming upon Rosh Hashanah and I want to wish everyone a Happy and Sweet New Year!  

 Luckily, Shira and her family all survived but, out of her two parents and four other siblings, she was hurt the most. As I said before, she still gets surgeries from the accident because she has shrapnel  which is the metal from the bomb in her skin.

Hope you have a Happy New Year,

Samantha

Blogging with Great Grandma Goldie.

A picture of the bus number 2, the bus Shira was on.

Shira's Letter Finally Arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear followers,

 

I received my first letter from Shira in Saturday's mail. It was super nice!! 

Shira told me when she was 1.5 years old she was in a terrorist attack. She was on a bus in Jerusalem with her entire family at the time.  We learned that she was hurt the most out of her 4 siblings. She lives with  her siblings and mother in Jersulem.

 

Shira has injuries on her face, hand, and body. She is also blind in her left eye. Shira told me that she has a lot of shrapnel on her body and still has surgeries.  This is why it took longer then I hoped to get a letter back.

 

Shira loves to  play the violin and told me her family loves it when she plays and that she has two violins. She also likes to draw and jump rope and has a lot of friends in her neighborhood.

 

I'm very excited to meet Shira in person. Shira sounded very excited to see me as much as I'm excited to see her. She said she was very excited to see me in Israel and wanted to know the exact dates I'm coming so I can come to her Bat Mitzvah party. She hoped we would be best friends forever. Shira gave me her phone number and hopes I will call her soon..

Bye,

Samantha  

 

Still Waiting

Dear Readers,
I'm still waiting for my letter from Shira. Hopefully I will get it soon.
Samantha

A Mitzvah In My Grandmother's Memory

In part of my grandmother's death, I need all women and their friends to light the candles of Shabbat, to do so, light a candle before dark tonight. It is a big mitzvah for all to do.

Thank You

Sharing With My Great Grandmother

Last week my family and I went to visit my Great Grandma Goldie who is 103 years old. I read to her my latest post on mitzvahs and it brought joy to her ears. Even though Great Grandma Goldie couldn't hear that well, she thought it was a lovely post. Great Grandma Goldie spent her whole life doing mitzvahs for others. She helped many family members in different ways. Today, her family members are giving her the mitzvahs she gave others such as giving her companionship and lending a helping hand.  When I told her I was going to Israel for my Bat Mitzvah and helping a girl my age in Israel, she thought it would be a rememorable and meaningful experience. She wishes she would be able to join my family and I. She hopes to be around to hear about the experience.

P.S. I still haven't gotten a letter from Shira but I will let everyone know once I do.

What a Mitzvah Means To Me and How You Can Do One

I'm going to tell you the meaning of mitzvah. A mitzvah is a good deed. It is also thought as a way to connect to hashem and our neshama which is our soul. For example: Donating money to a organization like I am doing, helping a senior cross the road, and  helping out with activities at school.

I bet your wondering, what does a mitzvah mean to me? Well, to me, a mitzvah is doing something good. In the Jewish religion, a mitzvah is very important. There are 613 biblical commandments in the torah. They are called commandments.  A few of the hundreds of mitzvahs that I do is going to shul on Friday nights.  It is a mitzvah because on Friday night, it is the beginning of Shabbat. On Shabbat, we push aside everything that worries us and think of ALL the positives. Before you start to pray the joyful songs of Shabbat, the woman light special candles, which is one of the mitzvahs you can do. Another mitzvah is to pray before you eat anything with a special Hebrew prayer.  Those are a few ways to do a mitzvah.

My own personal, special mitzvah is sharing my Bat Mitzvah with a girl my age who has been affected by terrorism in Israel. I bet your wondering, why is it a mitzvah? Well, I get to help her and give her a day she'll never forget by sharing this special Jewish custom. I also still get to help other kids and their families that have also been affected by terror by raising awareness of the organization CVTP. Also as I learn more about Shira, I could create a special bond that will never end. Please continue following my blog to learn about all the mitzvahs I do for my Mitzvah Project.
Stay tuned for the next post,
Samantha