October 29, 2002: It was a beautiful, balmy evening in the community of Hermesh in Israel. Linoy Saroussi and Hadas Turgeman, both 14 years old, were standing together outside, talking and chattering as only teenagers can do.
Without a second’s warning, a terrorist burst out of the inky darkness, firing wildly. The two best friends were murdered, as was Orna Eshel who had just come home from grocery shopping.
The families were shattered and devastated and traumatized beyond comprehension.
Chabad’s Terror Victims Project (CTVP) stepped in to bring them a lifeline of hope and help in their darkest hour – and has been with them ever since.
It is now 2016. The Turgeman family has a daughter named Dorin who is their youngest and it is time for her Bat Mitzvah.
Meanwhile, the Magid and Popper families from Toronto also have daughters who are Bat Mitzvah age – Rachel and Noa – and they wanted to do something especially meaningful for their daughters on this special occasion.
They contacted Rabbi Menachem Kutner, Director of CTVP, who made all the arrangements for the girls to twin with Dorin Turgeman and her good friend Corrine who also lives in Hermesh.
CTVP arranged the Bat Mitzvah, starting with a beautiful, moving ceremony at the Western Wall where there was not a dry eye among the girls, their families and their guests.
From there they all went to Café Rimon for a wonderful, delicious party. Dorin and Corrine were given special Bat Mitzvah gifts.
There was such a strong sense of family among everyone there that day. With the help of CTVP, the Bat Mitzvah girls and their families came together as one, just as the Jewish People everywhere are one.
Proud of Chabad Flamingo and Rabbi Kaplan! Proud of the Mageds and Poppers.
Inspirational!
Go Chabad Flamingo!!