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ONEFAMILY
PROGRAM
Quick Links:
CBI "Adopts" the Fridman Family Through OneFamily Fund
How to Help our Adopted OneFamily
CBI "Adopts" The Friedman Family Through OneFamily Fund
By Roger Acheatel, M.D.
Congregation Beth Israel's participation in the OneFamily program is now in its fourth year. During that time, we have provided financial and emotional support to three families and are now starting our relationship with our fourth family, Sivan and Ben Friedman.
The OneFamily program began in Israel in 2000 as a response to the carnage caused by terrorists during the second intifada. Its mission is to identify families scarred by terrorism and link these families with synagogues around the world. Each synagogue "adopts" a family and commits to providing financial and other help for a defined period of time to allow them some means of putting their lives back together after the death or maiming of a family member.
CBI members have embraced the program, given generously and have made a major impact in the lives of our three families. Our most recent family, the Avni's, regard the help from CBI as the key determinant in their ability to move on and improve their lives.
OneFamily recently approached our congregation to help the Fridman Family. Ben Fridman was wounded in the first attack at the Rosh Hair restaurant in Tel Aviv on January 18, 2006. He sustained severe shrapnel injuries to his lower spine and needs a complicated surgery to help relieve the continuous pain he experiences when he attempts to stand or walk. Hisemotional injuries are just as devastating. He had been a very strong and vigorous man who worked in the construction industry. At the time of the attack he had no family for support and no financial resources. He was fortunate to have met Sivan while injured. They formed a bond, married and now have a new baby.
During my recent trip to Israel I was able to meet the Fridmans with our OneFamily representative. She visits them regularly and is a constant source of support. I was very moved by their situation and know we can be a great aid to them. Sivan is looking for work as a medical assistant while Ben receives physical therapy and awaits back surgery in November. We have committed to send the Friedmans a monthly stipend for 12 months and ask you to donate what you can toward this effort. All contributions will go directly to the Friedmans.
As we enter a new year, I would encourage our members to continue with their support to the mission of OneFamily and particularly our new family. I pray we can continue the good work we are doing to repair the world, one family at a time.
Contributions are always welcome to this ongoing project. There are no administrative costs, 100% of your tax-deductible contribution will be used to assist the Avnis. Please make your check payable to Congregation Beth Israel OneFamily Program
and mail it to Congregation Beth Israel, Attn: OneFamily, 9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, CA 92122. Thank you!
How to Help Our Adopted OneFamily
Please make your check payable to Congregation Beth Israel OneFamily Program
and mail it to:
Congregation Beth Israel
9001 Towne Centre Drive
San Diego, CA 92122
100% of your contribution go directly to assist our adopted family. There are no administrative
costs. We welcome all donations. For additional information, please contact Dr.
Roger Acheatel or Bonnie Graff, Program
Director, at 858-535-1111 ext. 3128.
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