United with Israel was among thousands in Israel who visited the mourning families of three boys kidnapped and murdered by Hamas terrorists on June 12.
United with Israel, standing outside the Frankel home, was among thousands who visited grieving families of murdered teens. (Photo: UWI)
Teenagers Eyal Yifrach, Naftali Frankel and Gilad Sha’ar were kidnapped and murdered by Hamas barbarians on June 12. Their bodies were discovered in a field near the site of the abduction in Gush Etzion on Monday; the funeral took place on Tuesday evening – United with Israel (UWI) joined the hundreds of thousands who attended – and the families are now observing shiva, the week-long mourning period.
On Sunday, UWI had visited the Frankel family at their home in Nof Ayalon, while the search for the boys was still ongoing. The purpose was to determine how the organization could assist in the effort. The original intention was to meet the Yifrach and Sha’ar families as well, but unfortunately, that plan died with the news of the brutal murders.
On Thursday, UWI made a shiva call to the same family.
During both visits, parents Avi and Rachel Frankel demonstrated remarkable strength and dignity of the highest order.
Sign outside Frankel home reads: “The eternal Nation of Israel does not fear the long road.” (Photo: UWI)
On Sunday, the visitors had arrived to offer material and emotional support, yet the Frankel parents managed to comfort their guests, inspiring them with their grace and sensitivity. A grandmother, too, exemplified fortitude and elegance and even escorted the group to their car.
On Thursday, while experiencing any parent’s worst nightmare, Rachel and Avi received flocks of concerned visitors with kindness and courtesy. Rachel, sporting her winning smile, albeit a sad smile, managed to ask about the well-being of those who approached her, seeming genuinely interested in knowing who they were and what they had to say.
United with Israel joins the entire Nation of Israel as well as Jews and friends around the world in praying for the souls of the innocent boys. May these outstanding families be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Author: Atara Beck
Senior Writer/Editor, United with Israel