The parents of two of three Israeli teens kidnapped and murdered by Hamas last summer will join a UJA-Federation of New York Jewish Unity event Thursday.
Also appearing at the event will be Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Emeritus Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom.
Racheli Fraenkel, the mother of Naftali Fraenkel, and Ofir Shaer, the father of Gilad Shaer, the parents of two of the Israeli teens who, along with Eyal Yifrach, were murdered by Hamas, will speak at the event, dedicated to the unity prize,
The Jewish Unity Prize was conceived in partnership with the families of the three boys and the Jerusalem-based organization Gesher as a way to perpetuate the spirit of unity across Israel and around the world during the days following the boys’ kidnapping.
“We feel an obligation to ensure that the personal pain that we have experienced be channeled for the betterment of people all over the world and this is what we all hope this prize will accomplish,” said Shaer.
“Out of the intense pain of the boys’ tragic deaths came remarkable unity, in large part due to the strength and leadership exhibited by their families,” added Barkat, who has been one of the driving forces behind the Unity Prize. “We know that unity is a central value in our identity as a people and this prize will afford us the chance to advance these ideals across Israel and around the world.”
The Jerusalem Unity Prize will be presented in three separate categories, each with a prize of up to $25,000. A committee chaired by Barkat, the parents of the three boys, and dignitaries from Israel and the Diaspora will choose the winners.