On Pesach 5762, the Ben-Aruya family was at a hotel in Netanya, Israel enjoying the Seder with 250 others who had come to celebrate the holiday together. The whole family was there – mother, father, children and the mother’s parents.
Then, a Palestinian terrorist, disguised as a woman, entered the hotel carrying a suitcase. He managed to get all the way into the dining hall where he set off the powerful, lethal explosives that filled the suitcase.
Thirty people were murdered on that horrendous night. 140 more were injured.
Among those killed was Shimon Ben-Aruya, the father. All the family members were injured and transported to several different hospitals.
Ever since, Chabad’s Terror Victims Project (CTVP) has been with this family. “The pain of that horrific trauma left deep scars on all of them,” commented the project’s director, Rabbi Menachem Kutner.
Fast forward to this week, 15 years later.
The family has come together for a wonderful occasion: The marriage of their daughter, Hila Ben-Aruya to Leiav Navah. They invited Rabbi Kutner to officiate the wedding.
“It was very emotional for everyone because the loss of their father and the aftermath of the injuries are still so painful all these years later,” Rabbi Kutner said.
“They will build a new life together and keep the memory of Hila’s father alive for the next generation,” he said. “I wish the new couple Mazel Tov and the blessing that they should build a wonderful Jewish home together.”
