SAN ANTONIO — Two Israeli teenagers who are living in San Antonio are heartbroken for their homeland.
Yael Kahanovitch and Asaf Benabu, both 18 years old, are part of the ShinShinim program. They deferred their army service for a year to volunteer abroad.
The two arrived in the Alamo City seven weeks ago, and have visited synagogues and schools in that time.
“I wanted to share my traditions and bring Israel out of Israel,” said Kahanovitch. “I hope to help educate, talk about our history.”
Shortly after they left, Hamas launched an attack on Israel and sparked a war.
“I feel like everybody in Israel knows at least one person who has been murdered or died in this war,” said Kahanovitch. “From my high school, we lost 10 people. Those were students I ate lunch with, saw in the halls. I am scared for my family. I am scared for everyone in Israel. I am scared for people I don't even know."
It’s a pain Kahanovitch wouldn’t wish on anyone.
“I cannot describe this feeling,” she said. “My heart is broken, but physically broken.”
“From my small town, there was a soldier who was murdered in his military base as soon as the war started on Saturday,” said Benabu. “I hope for this to end as soon as it can."
Nammie Ichilov is the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, which organizes the local ShinShinim program. He told KENS 5 he grieves not just for Israel, but all victims of the war.
“There is nobody that doesn’t feel pain and the suffering and sorrow for the Palestinian people under the rule of Hamas," said Ichilov. “If those hostages were released and brought back, there would be no more suffering in the Gaza Strip right now. It would be over. We need to remember this wasn’t a war Israel chose. This is a terrorist organization who is using Palestinian people as their defense shield."
Kahanovitch and Benabu are grateful for the support they have received from San Antonio.
On Thursday, they collected cards from middle school students.
“In Hebrew; להישאר בטוח, which means 'Stay safe,'” Kahanovitch read.
“Dear soldier who gets this, don’t give up,” read Benabu. “When this is over, remember what you fought for. You fought for the warm embrace of your family, for the hate of Jews to end. So much love, San Antonio, Texas.”
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