Shalev Family fund
Donation protected
Shalom,
Thank you for considering participating in our in fundraising for the Shalev family – Dekel and Oshri, and their children Goni (7), Lenny (5), and Daria (3). You have our deepest gratitude.
The Shalev family miraculously survived the massacre of October 7th at Kibbutz Be'eri, when Hamas attacked, leaving devastation in its wake. Dekel, Oshri, and their children, are now in the US and need the American community's help to rebuild their life.
Dekel and Oshri were at the Kibbutz, at their home, that Saturday morning. They rushed to their safe room as the alarms were sounding and were able to lock the door before Hamas entered their home. Hamas tried to get into the room where they were hiding, and Oshri was able to keep the door closed. Hamas came and went into their home several times on that cursed day, while the kids were keeping silent, and the parents made peace with what they thought were their last moments. After 9 hours, while the house was burning, the IDF finally made it to them, only to move the family to a safe room at another house. After 5 more hours in hiding, the IDF came again and were able to rush them under fire to buses which took them to the dead sea.
Before October 7th, Kibbutz Be’eri was a peaceful community, with simple homes, an active social life, and volunteering activities for humanitarian causes. The Kibbutz was destroyed by Hamas on that one day, with many homes burned or demolished. Over 120 community members were murdered, some in a horrific manner, many others were tortured and injured, and more than 50 people - children, women, men, and elderly - were kidnapped and taken hostage into Gaza.
The Shalev family endured the unimaginable. They now face the challenging task of rebuilding their lives. They have lost their home, their friends and neighbors, their community, and any sense of security, stability, or normality. Their personal belongings, clothing, photographs, kids’ personal items, everything – all stolen or destroyed.
Lenny, the brave 5-year-old, shared a glimpse of his harrowing experience: "The bad men came early in the morning, we had to run to the safe room and cry quietly so they couldn't hear us. We had to hold the door so they couldn't come in. We had to stay quiet for a long time." Lenny says that Goni, his 7 year old older brother, is a hero, comforting his siblings even amidst the chaos. Goni says he misses his friends, he misses his best friend's father [who was murdered], he misses so many people who are gone.
Dekel and Oshri have sought refuge in Colorado, hoping to provide their children with a haven away from the ongoing conflict and fear in Israel. They do not know how long they will be here. They arrived as refugees with just five suitcases, containing clothing donated by Israelis and some salvaged items from the wreckage. Dekel and Oshri both grew up in the kibbutzs in the area surrounding Gaza. Their parents, aunts and uncles, and cousins have also been displaced, and have also lost everything but their lives. Let's help them build a future.
The funds raised through this campaign will play a crucial role in supporting the Shalev family during their stay in the U.S. Initially, these funds will cover essentials such as clothing, food, transportation, education, other living expenses, and medical needs during their stay in the US. (they do not have medical insurance here).
Any additional funds will continue to assist the Shalev family in their ongoing efforts to rebuild their lives. We hope to reach a significant amount beyond the initial goal so the Shalev's can plan for a future.
In a recent interview with Channel 11 News in Israel, Dekel and Oshri shared a glimpse of their ordeal and the difficult decision to leave Israel while the conflict persists, prioritizing the safety and well-being of their children.
Your compassion and support make a significant difference in helping the Shalev family navigate through these challenging times. Together, we can be a beacon of hope for them.
Thank you for standing with the Shalev family in their journey towards healing.
Scenes from the Shalev home -
Additional background -
Article in The New Yorker magazine describing in detail the occurrences in Kibbutz Be’eri, including interviews in English with survivors of the massacre
Video by the Wall Street Journal chronicling the attack of Be'eri
https://www.wsj.com/video/inside-beeri-kibbutz-scene-of-one-of-the-deadliest-hamas-attacks/A10C5A26-E14B-4071-A939-C3ACD4E7894C
Video of Kibbutz Be'eri taken after evacuation
Video of Kibbutz Be'eri as it once was
Organizer and beneficiary
Hadar Hirshman Niv
Organizer
Englewood, CO
Oshri Shalev
Beneficiary