The meeting was organized by the Jewish National Fund of South Africa together with The Base synagogue, the Pretoia Hebrew Congregation and the Embassy of Israel in South Africa, with the aim of shining an additional spotlight on the struggle for the release of the hostages still held in Gaza by the terrorist organization Hamas.
During the visit, about one hundred teddy bears collected by the South African Jewish community were distributed to the children. The initiative was dedicated to the memory of Levy’s wife, Einav, who was murdered in the Nova festival massacre. Levy, who was kidnapped from that same festival and held in captivity for 491 days before being released in February this year, chose to honor Einav’s legacy through activities for children who have no parents.
Levy himself is now raising his son, Almog, alone, after he was left without a mother. Drawing from his own painful experience of loss and captivity, Levy shared with the children a clear message: what defines us is not the tragedy we endured, but the way we choose to respond to it. In his words, the choice must be to act with kindness and humanity – and not with hatred.
Or visit to South Africa is part of a broader initiative by JNF SA and the Base to give returned hostages and their families a safe space for respite and healing among the warmth and beauty of South Africa.
Photo: Diana Walfson