In May of 2001, Seth and Sherri Mandel received the worst news that a parent could hear: their eldest son, Koby, had been cruelly murdered.
Sherri and Seth didn’t know how they could possibly continue to live without their child — nor did they want to.
But in the decade since that horrible tragedy, the Mandells have learned that pain can be channeled into growth, and that while you never go back to being the person you once were, the pain is a springboard to become even greater.
The Mandells founded Camp Koby, a camp for children who’ve lost a loved one to a terrorist attack, and the Koby Mandell Foundation, helping mothers and widows find solace and support in community.
Here, Mrs. Mandell shares her “five Cs” — for thriving in the face of tragedy. “The thing that could help us was [giving] love and creating meaning,” she said and noted that “once you can tell your story, it can change.”
The talk was delivered at the annual JLI “Land and the Spirit” trip to Israel. For information about JLI’s summer experience visit JRetreat.com
Sherri’s talk brought me to more tears than I’ve had in a long time. What a courageous woman and such an amazing way of coping. I don’t know how these people go on….I cannot even fathom such a loss. My heart goes out to you all. And if the crying wasnt enough from Sherri, Hindel, your post made me cry even more. Hashem should somehow help you heal and cope even though it may be close to impossible. You deserve nechama and just know that so many people are thinking of you all the time.
Thank you sherri fro empowering us to become better people due to tje losses in our life
Thank You for sharing Sherri’s words. The Koby Mandell Foundation has been a huge support to our family since Shula A”H passed away nearly three years ago. The camp has done more for my children over the last two summers than any therapist can have ever done. They just got back last week after a full week of fun in a safe environment where they were allowed to feel like “normal” children and talk or cry about their feelings since the death of their sister is still very much on their mind. The foundation even was sensitive enough to make… Read more »
beautiful!
for posting this!!!
wow. amazing way to react must have taken lots of strength
This brought tears to my eyes!
Sherri is true chessed. May Moshiach come immediately and she be reunited with KOBI
I have never heard such an amazing woman! To think of what shes been through, r”l . . . and how she came out of it in such an incredible way, is nothing short of a miracle! She is a lesson to us all; her tremendous, faith in G-d, is mind blowing, her belief and trust, and strength is second to none, and may Hashem watch over her and her family all their lives! My respect and admiration goes out to her; Besuros Tovos
Sherri is one amazing person! She has helped so many people!
Very inspirational, beautiful. May she and all of us know no more pain.
this was a very moving , inspiring and powerful talk!
There are no words
Gr-8 Job to the Mandells!