The Ethiopian Youth Entertainment Troupe, Performing at the dinner for the delegation at the Afula Cultural Hall

On November 12, 2002, thirty-two participants from Hartford and one from Springfield spent an interesting and connecting P2K day in Afula-Gilboa.

The group arrived at Ha'Emek Medical Center at about 1:00 P.M. They heard from Dr. Eyran Halpern, hospital director, Larry Rich Director of Development and Dr. Koppleman, Director of Surgery about the hospital's functioning during the past 2 years of continuous terrorist attacks. The hospital has taken care of more than 600 victims of terrorism, in addition to caring for the wounded soldiers and wounded terrorists. The day to day reality as related to our mission participants is nothing short of miraculous for the ability of human beings to do what they do on the background of so much violence and tension.

Natalia Frieden, the widow of Sergei ob"m who was murdered by a terrorist gunman at he Afula Bus Station on October 4, 2001, was also present and spoke to the group. With her was little Alex, her and Sergei's one year old son who was born 3 weeks after Sergei was killed. Natalia told her story and answered questions from the group. Dr. Koppelman told the group that he had treated Sergei in the Emergency Room. This was the first time that he had seen baby Alex and he was visibly emotional about the encounter.

The group toured the hospital. Three doctors on the mission stayed at the hospital to visit the professional departments which interested them-imaging and pediatric surgery.

Afula Mayor Itzhak Mirone addresses delegates

The rest of the group continued on to Bernie Park, a city park in Givat Hamore dedicated to the memory of Bernie Waldman, one of the founders of the relationship between Connecticut and Afula during the 1980s with project renewal. The park is cared for by the residents of Beit Uri, a pastoral, residential home for severely handicapped people. The mission participants continued with a visit at Beit Uri which is across the street from Bernie Park. The attitude of dignity and humaneness expressed in the surroundings and in the relationships imbue those that visit with a sense of thankfulness and a respect for what can be accomplished with determination, commitment and good will.

The Hartford Federation gave a generous donation in response to an emergency request by Beit Uri. This contribution will cover the cost of security and counseling services for a year and will enable Beit Uri to employ part time salaried workers in place of the volunteer staff who have stopped coming from Europe due to the overall security situation in Israel.

In the evening a buffet dinner was served in the Afula Cultural Center. The Ethiopian Youth Performing Troupe and the Afula Youth Chamber Music Group performed. Community Leaders and teen victims of terror from Afula joined the visiting mission participants.

  Shvat 5763 - January 2003