Woman, Her Rescuer to Speak

He Said to Me, “If You Leave, I Will Kill You.”

Shira was trapped in an Arab village for over 20 years, starting from the age of 16. Now she is free and telling her story for the very first time in a series of events across Los Angeles and NYC, organized by Yad L’achim.

This will be the first time Shira has ever told her personal life story in a public setting. Shira will talk about her harrowing decade-plus living a life of fear and her story of rescue that took place during Pesach of last year. Her rescue began with the involvement of a Chabad shliach who took an initiative in her case and worked with Yad L’Achim on her rescue.

Also appearing live at each of the events will be Sari, known as “the mother of rescued women.” who has helped to rescue over a thousand women and children.

“Achmed ben Sara” is a name that would raise eyebrows in any Jewish community. It is also the name of a speaking tour, traveling cities throughout North America showcasing the hair-raising stories of Jewish women and children trapped in Arab villages.

After a series of 14 successful events in Florida, the tour is now coming to California and New York.

Young Jewish girls, often from troubled backgrounds, are groomed by Arab men who, posing as Jews, offer them gifts and attention to gain their trust. But once they follow their new sweetheart into Arab territory, the excitement turns to terror. Women are routinely subject to depraved violence and abuse at the hands of the men they hoped would be their Prince Charming. Their children are raised as Arab Muslims and taught to hate Jews.

“It’s almost impossible for a Westerner to imagine how totally trapped they are,” says Yossi Eliav, Director of Special Projects, organizer of the tour. “Some live like prisoners, without access to a phone or even the freedom to go outside.”

“One woman did not have access to a phone for 32 years and no way to call for help,” says R’ Nesanel Gantz, Director of Yad L’Achim in North America.

Yad L’Achim, founded in the 1950s, has rescued thousands of these imprisoned women and their children. The operations are conducted with the utmost secrecy, as the lives of the women, their children, and all operatives are at high risk. Once free, Yad L’Achim provides safe shelter for these women and their children and supports their re-integration into society. The number of Jewish women and children trapped in these conditions today numbers in the thousands.

“People aren’t aware how many hundreds of girls are drawn into these nightmare scenarios each year,” says Eliav. “Our mission is to show their plight to the world and save as many lives as we can.”

The event will take place tonight, Monday May 20th at Lubavitcher Yeshiva hall 580 Crown St. Crown Heights

For more information and for sponsorship opportunities please contact Yossi at [email protected]
Or call: 646-860-9165