We awoke In the very early morning hours and recalled that this was the day that Gilad Shalit was to be released. We wondered if it would really happen and then this email from Phyllis Heimowitz who founded the Amuta (Non-Profit) for the Emotional Support of Fiancees and Girlfriends of Fallen Soldiers popped up on our screen. The organization provides emotional support to women (and occasional men) who have lost their loved one in an IDF-related incident. The emotional support comes in the form of weekly group therapy, as well as shared social engagements where the unique bonds that join each of these bereaved people are strengthened. Phyllis’ email provided not only a poignant back story to what was taking place in Israel today, but also emphasized the organization’s importance in repairing lives shattered by loss.
It is 5:45 AM. I am up since about 5 AM because my mind is full of thoughts. All of Israel is waking up today and … their first thoughts are of Gilad, who is being released today after more than 5 years in captivity…
…I want to tell you about the Amuta’s connection to the Shalit story and what we, Rina, Tamar and I did to save two lives. Yes, I really mean that. We had a part in saving two lives. On June 25, 2006, Hamas terrorists from Gaza, managed to attack an IDF tank in Israeli territory. In the tank were 4 soldiers. Two of the soldiers were killed: Hanan Barak and Pavel Slotzker. Gilad was taken alive to Gaza…
Hanan was the officer in charge of the tank… Hanan left behind a girlfriend, O. , a sweet, sweet, gentle girl. She totally crashed… She was brought to Rina’s home by Hanan’s parents and Hanan’s sister, A. She was totally dependent on Hanan. She never believed that she would survive. She entered our Support Group and we were in constant touch with her. I called her yesterday and I told her that we in the Amuta were with her during these wonderful and terrible times…O. is getting married on Dec. 21 and we will be at the wedding. She wants to go to see Gilad and his family and to invite them to the wedding too, as Gilad was very close to Hanan. These are the things that you don’t read about in the newspaper. Last night Yitz and I saw an interview with O. on TV.
Pavel, an immigrant from Russia, was the second soldier killed. He left behind his beloved girlfriend A., also an immigrant from the USSR. A. is a delicate, petite, lovely young woman, who wants to be a midwife so that she can bring new life into the world… A. also entered our Support Group. The Amuta helped her in so many ways. We were always in touch with her…She too has a boyfriend now.
The Amuta was crucial in helping these two young women piece together their broken lives and to go on. This is the aim of the Amuta.
