A beautiful link to Emily Damari
'Knowing that these mezuzot and hamsas were made with care and solidarity in Sydney makes them even more special'
A personally hand-crafted mezuzah has unexpectedly linked Sydneysider Shoshana Eisner with recently released hostage Emily Damari, who was kidnapped from her Kfar Aza apartment.
Since October 7, the residents of Kfar Aza have been living in temporary accommodation, displaced by the ongoing conflict. But now, they have found a new home in Kibbutz Ruchama, where they are welcomed by a community that shares their values and spirit.
Although Kfar Aza and Ruchama are geographically distant, the deep connection between the two kibbutzim, particularly among the children who attend the same school, has made the transition smoother and more meaningful for the residents.
To help make the residents feel secure and embraced in their new homes, JNF NSW organised a special event in Sydney for supporters to create personalised mezuzot for each of the 180 homes and 400 residents.
“Each attendee at the JNF event was matched with a member of the Kfar Aza kibbutz and by luck, I was matched with then hostage, Emily Damari,” said Eisner.
“I was simultaneously honoured and terrified. I was painting a mezuzah to protect her when she came home. It is so incredibly meaningful. Bruchot habaot.”
Once the mezuzot were painted and fired in the kiln, they were shipped to Israel and given to the residents at Ruchama to place on their doors in their new homes.
Kfar Aza resident Dekel Sayag said receiving the hamsa “has been truly heartwarming during such a challenging time”.
“Knowing that these mezuzot and hamsas were made with care and solidarity in Sydney makes them even more special,” said Sayag.
“It reminds us that we are not alone and that even in the face of hardship, there are people standing with us, helping us rebuild our lives and communities.”
Director of Partnerships for the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council Maia Ifrah visited Sydney as a guest of JNF and participated in the event where the mezuzot and hamsas were lovingly crafted.
“Seeing this project come full circle, with our residents now receiving these heartfelt symbols of hope and resilience, is deeply moving,” said Ifrah.
“While these gestures have brought comfort and strength to our community, we hope this is just the beginning of a deeper partnership. As we navigate the long road of physical and emotional recovery, ongoing support will be crucial in helping us rebuild our lives and communities. Together, we can create a future filled with hope and resilience.”
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