The topic self-sacrifice is not foreign to the staff of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem.
Ganzach Kiddush Hashem produces content, articles, lectures, lessons, and testimonies about self-sacrifice. At Ganzach Kiddush Hashem, we are constantly dealing with matters of sanctifying the Name of G-d, Jewish heroism, sparks of light shining from the darkness, and faith in times of darkness and in the the shadow of death.
Therefore, the professional development day organized by the management for all the education and archive staff, who take part in the sacred work of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem, was incredibly fascinating and moving. Suddenly, this holy and noble concept took shape in front of the participants. It was a day filled with consciousness of Jewish heroism, Jewish strength, Jewish mutual assistance, and closeness to G-d, which so many people were blessed with. And this includes the people from the communities who were never familiar with or understood the religious faith.
Our very own, Rabbi Yisrael Goldwasser, one of the veteran lecturers of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem, brilliantly led the professional development day. The itinerary that Rabbi Goldwasser, together with the team of organizers on behalf of the management, proved to be perfect. The places, the paths, the sites, the houses, the views, and the atmosphere – all of these combined with the perfect guidance and the amazing first-hand stories from the mouths of the survivors of the horrors.
The morning began at the synagogue in Sderot, where the group was welcomed by the synagogue rabbi, Rabbi Herzl Shaubi, who was saved by the grace of G-d from a fatal injury on the morning of Simchat Torah 5704 (Oct. 7th, 2023). Rabbi Shaubi spoke about what he went through and the chain of miracles and wonders he experienced on his miraculous journey to recovery.
The rabbi displayed his shirt and suit jacket. The bullet penetrated his body, pierced the abdominal cavity near his chest, and came out the other side…
In the large plaza where the Sderot Police Department was located until its destruction, our group was received by the Chief Superintendent of the Sderot Police, Meidad Lavie. In an emotional speech that he delivered outdoors, in the same place where the terrible massacre of the Sderot police officers took place, he spoke about his ancestors, Holocaust survivors, and the inspiration he took from them for his life and his job. The senior commander expressed his appreciation to the management of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem for organizing the professional development day for employees in Sderot, and wished the group success in the continuation of the day.
The dear volunteer police officer Rami Cohen, accompanied the group for many hours. Police officer Rami, a Torah and mitzvot observing Jew, amazed our group with his inspiring personal story. Rami literally risked his life to save Jews on October 7th. He became famous throughout the world thanks to the breathtaking documentation of his rescue to save two little girls from the car in which their parents were shot dead. Rami the police officer continued with the group at various stations throughout the Gaza Envelope, and on the special tour inside Kibbutz Kfar Aza which he made possible.
And during the Mincha prayer, when the members of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem stood for heartfelt prayer at the Bibas synagogue in Kfar Aza, it was a noble prayer service in the Valley of Tears, which certainly touched the Heavens.
During the day, we delved into burning issues that are on the agenda of the Ganzach Kiddush Hashem staff. The lectures, screenings, testimonies and stories touched on matters that the team deals with on a daily basis.
The direct encounter with the survivors of the horror and the stories of heroism they told, in addition to the endless reservoir of miracle stories that flowed from Rabbi Goldwasser’s mouth, left a strong impression on the participants and charged them with strength and courage to continue their holy work.
An important conclusion that everyone agreed on as the evening shadows fell and the professional development day came to an end: The Jewish spark that ignited in the hearts of those so far from religiosity, precisely during such difficult days of horror, proves that there is no power in the world that can dim the light of the Jewish soul, even if it seems, G-d forbid, that it was extinguished on over time after years of separation and alienation.
As the evening shadows fell, the staff of Ganzach Kiddush Hashem began to return to their respective cities and homes, but they will carry the insights from this emotional journey with them forever.
Indeed, it was a journey filled with sadness on the one hand, emotion on the other, and at the center: great admiration in light of the strength of souls and spiritual heroism.
Many thanks to the organizers of the professional development day, to the professional development coordinator, Mrs. Devorah Surasky, to the study day manager, Mrs. Malka Pinchasi, and to everyone who took part in the the arrangements.
