The mother of a murdered teen gives incredible support to an immigrant mother who sent her children to war.

Modi'in, Israel, November 16, 2023 Rabbanit Rachelle Sprecher Fraenkel, a mother who has felt the tragedy of kidnapping and losing her son in attacks by Hamas, expressed her deep appreciation for immigrant mothers who have recently made aliyah to Israel. In an event held in collaboration with the Kehillat Shaarei Yonah Menachem synagogue in Modi'in, the Orthodox Union (OU) of Israel paid a special tribute to these mothers, whose children are currently serving in Operation Swords of Iron. Fraenkel, who has experienced the unimaginable pain of losing his son, Naftali Fraenkel, in a shocking kidnapping, praised the immigrant mothers' extraordinary courage. In his speech, Rabbanit Fraenkel stated, "Your sons and daughters are our heroes; go there and do everything in their power to protect the Jewish people, but this ability to serve our nation in such a way comes from you.” Immigrant mothers, some of whom have only arrived in Israel in the past three weeks, find themselves facing a frightening reality by sending their children into a historic conflict. Rabbanit Fraenkel expressed his admiration for the sacrifice and moral strength of these mothers, who are directly involved in the complex and stressful reality of Israel. "I am very emotional to see all of you. Unlike Israeli mothers who have gone through this process for years, you have landed directly into the most complex and stressful reality that Israel can face," she said. The mother of the soldier, Paula Stern, known for her blog "Mother of a Soldier" and a Facebook group supporting parents of English-speaking IDF soldiers, gave practical advice to parents. Stern emphasised confidence in the army's expertise and effective communication with children serving in the military. Leah Goldstein, a British immigrant mother with a son serving in Gaza and a daughter in a nature reserve, thanked the guidance and practical insights provided by the event speakers. "Thank you for the handy tool to help me deal with those moments when the ground feels like it's shaking beneath me.

I plan to carry these tips over the next few months," he said. Rabbanit Zemira Ozarowski, director of women's programmes at OU Israel, credited these mothers with instilling a deep love for Israel in their children. He recognised their indispensable role in shaping the dedication and courage of the soldiers. "Your sons and daughters are our heroes, going out there and doing everything in their power to protect the Jewish people, but this ability to serve our nation in such a way comes from you," he said.