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KMS Activities in Support of Israel
Community Events See this website
set up by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
for community-wide events in support of Israel.Operation Embrace KMS has joined "Operation Embrace",
started by Aviva Tessler from Potomac,
twinning Jewish communities in the Greater Washington area with Israeli terror
victims, to provide financial and emotional support. KMS has "adopted"
the family of Aaron ("Ronnie") Gozlan, who is 30 years old.
While walking in
the French Hill area on June 20, 2002, he spotted a man who
looked suspicious. When he realized that this was a suicide
bomber, he quickly jumped on him to try and stop him from
detonating the bomb. In so doing he absorbed a great
amount of the explosion and both of his legs are
horribly damaged.
Hadassah hospital (Ein Kerem) is trying desperately to
salvage his legs. He is truly a great and brave hero. His
actions clearly saved the lives of many people who were
nearby. He is married to Shira and they have three
children. Daniel is 4, Yehonatan is 3 and Hodiya is 7
months old. You can see more pictures of the
Gozlan family here.
By an awful coincidence, Aaron's 24-year-old brother
suffered a stroke (unrelated to terror) and is in Hadassah
Har Hatzofim hospital presently. Aaron's mother travels
between the two hospitals daily. We contacted Aaron. When
asked what he needs, his response was "your
prayers." Aaron and his family are modern orthodox.
It seems that life could be made easier for Shira and the 3
little ones with our help. They live very frugally and
often find it difficult to make it through the month. They
do not have a microwave or a clothes dryer, a dishwasher, a
computer for the kids or for Aaron who is immobile. There
is no money for babysitters, take-out meals, toys for the
kids, taxis to the hospital - conveniences that would give
Shira some breathing time, or time with Aaron. We can all
imagine her and Aaron's mom's present frame of mind.
Your support in the form of monetary contributions
or donations of clothing and toys (to a collection box
at the shul) are greatly appreciated.
Portrait of the Gozlan family at the hospital
Update, August 16, 2002
Aharon Gozlan's surgery has been quite successful and
he has been transferred to Hadassah at Har Hatzofim.
The hospital is ready to send
him home to recuperate; however he cannot put any weight on his legs for the
next four months. This creates a number of logistical and financial problems
for the family. Their tiny upstairs apartment is inaccessible to him. He needs
a special wheelchair and a hospital bed since he is confined to bed
for 23 hours a day. They have to change their apartment to a larger one to
accommodate his disability. We would like to thank all of those who have helped
with lovely toys, clothing and money. Two small parcels have already been sent via shul members to the Gozlans. Please remember that the financial needs of
the family are overwhelming and contributions are desperately needed.
Update, August 30, 2002
A prominent physician from our shul has spoken to Aharon's
doctor and received the following status report:
Aharon's injuries are mostly in the lower extremities. He
has had some surgery to repair the damage, but suffered a
few setbacks due to infections that need to clear up before
further repair can proceed. His doctors believe that with
further reconstructive surgery Aharon will be able to walk.
In several weeks, he will be ready for physical
rehabilitation, a wheelchair, etc. Again, one of our shul
members has taken a laptop to Israel for Aharon and we hope
that he will eventually communicate with us by email. Shira
and Aharon have expressed their gratitude to our visitors.
Please send your donations to KMS/Project Embrace.
Update, November 8, 2002
Aharon (Roni) Gozlan has left the hospital and is now recuperating at home. The
Gozlans' new apartment is spacious, has an elevator and lovely views. His
"homecoming" was made possible with the support and success of our
Adopt-a-Month
campaign. Little Yonatan and Daniel are comfortable at their old
kindergarten,
5 minutes away by car. Their mom Shira is keeping busy with baby Hodaya,
solving the logistics of getting the children to their school and
looking after Roni. Roni is amazed at how wonderful it feels to be
out of the hospital after four months. In six months, G-d willing,
he will be able to put weight on his feet. His courage, dignity,
spirit and humor are admirable. This wonderful
young family, their loving parents and 10 siblings are very grateful
to KMS for the financial support, the beautiful childrens clothing and
toys and the warmth
and concern being shown to them. They would be happy to meet KMS visitors in
Israel and we can promise instant kinship, inspiration and fun.
Please keep up
your support. Checks can be sent to "KMS-Project Embrace/Adopt-a-Month" or
delivered to Susan Weinberger or Richard Dine.
Update, December 4, 2002
On October 15th, when Alex and Susan Weinberger left Jerusalem, baby Hodaya
was not feeling well. She had been running a fever and was lethargic - which
is not uncommon with babies. When Barbara and Mel Ciment visited them two
weeks later, little Hodaya was just coming out of coma (apparently a virus).
Since then, Ronnie's wife Shira has been spending the days at Shaarei Tzedek
with the baby. As of about a week ago, they allow the baby to be taken home
for the night and be brought in for physiotherapy on a daily basis for most
of the day. The family's resources are really strained, with Ronnie not being
able to fully look after himself, drive or
help with the 2 other children under the age of five.
Please send your contributions to KMS-Project Embrace /Adopt-a-Month Fund, so
that we can continue supporting our Israeli family.
The following email recently came from Daniella Gozlan (Ronnie's
sister-in-law)
to Susan Weinberger. Susan's explanations are in brackets.
Susan,
Just to let you know that Hodaya is now at home and is progressing nicely.
She has treatment everyday and we are praying for a full recovery.
Roni is of course still in his wheel chair and is still trying to look after
the kids/family in his condition. Another amazing story about Roni was that
he was in Jerusalem last week with Kobi {Ronnie' brother} and someone
assisting Roni and they saw an accident with 2 other cars. Roni being the
constant carer, stopped also to help the people in the accident,
despite him being in his wheelchair - he ordered the ambulance and
police. Because he is a
policeman he wrote a report on the whole accident, even though he is
not working. Kobi thinks that he is crazy. Looks like nothing will
stop him. From
what I understand with Shlomi {Ronnie's 24 year old brother who suffered a
stroke this summer - they also have a young baby} the doctors have said
that the brain tissue has been torn, which means that he will never be
the same as he was and will take him a long time to recover.
I have spoken to Rachel {Ronnie's mom} and we hope to start on the
recipes soon. {a KMS cookbook, we hope} I havent forgotten but not
living in the same city and being pregnant with a baby on the side means I
don't have a lot of time. I know it is important and will do my best.
Roni would love to come to America to visit the incredible community
that is supporting him and his family so wonderfully.
Promise to keep more in touch.
Daniella
Update, February 4, 2003
Dear Friends:
Please remember that all of us at KMS, are extremely important in
Ronnie's and his family's life. Our moral and financial support is
doing wonders for the entire family, or rather 13 families, as the
burden and the worry affect Ronnie's and Shira's parents and siblings,
too.
Our support gives them encouragement and hope and envigorates
them. The message is that - WE CARE. We received a wonderful response
to our "Adopt a Month" campaign, and under the leadership of Daphna
Raskas the KMS Kids for Israel Campaign has taken off.
If you are visiting Israel and would like to meet Ronnie and his
family, please contact Susan Weinberger.
Please send your contributions to KMS Project Embrace. Your help and
ideas are greatly appreciated.
We received the following emails from Daniella Gozlan:
Jan. 15, 2003 - Regarding Ronnie, I dont have much good news and am
turning to you to see if you have any advice/contacts. He was advised
that the situation with his legs is not good and there is a high
probability that they will have to amputate both legs. In spite of
this, he is in good spirits but it is of course devastating. The
problem is that his left leg from the knee to the ankle is totally
broken, and there is a problem with the blood circulation; it flows
down but doesnt travel back up. His right leg was, as you know,
rejoined and is 10cm shorter that the left. They transferred muscle
tissue from his stomach to his leg but that apparently hasn't worked.
I am turning to you for two reasons. Firstly, I thought that maybe
someone in the USA could speak to his doctor (also at the same
hospital Hadassa, in the Orthopedics Unit, Prof. Liebergal) to see if
there was something they could suggest. Or secondly, Ronnie mentioned
that there is a specialist in NY who specialises in legs and blood
circulation. Maybe someone knows him, or could ask for his opinion. I
dont really know, I am just grasping at straws trying to help find a
way to save his legs. We turn to you to see if you have any
suggestions.
Again, thank you and your congregation for your continuing support.
It is greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you.
Daniella
Feb. 3, 2003 - Sorry, I have not had a chance to reply sooner.
Things are very hectic at the moment. Regarding Ronny, yesterday, he
had an operation to take out all the steel from his legs and they have
put his legs in a cast. The doctors are hoping for the best, but they
are not sure yet if it will save his legs. I understand that this is
their last attempt. They are hoping that he can begin to put weight
on one of his legs. We should know more in the next few days.I will
let you know as soon as I have more information.
Daniella
Update, June 2, 2003
Jonathan and Ari Rosenberg saw Roni at Hadassah hospital last week.
He is in remarkably good spirits in spite of what he's been through,
but unfortunately it seems he is going to have to have his legs
amputated, so that he can be fitted with prostheses. He appreciates
the contact with KMS and would be glad to hear from other KMS members
traveling to Jerusalem.
Roni Gozlan with Ari Rosenberg, Har Hatzofim,
May 27, 2003
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