The death of a loved one in a terrorist attack is an unfathomable loss, but a tragic reality for thousands of Israelis. Bereavement is never easy, but losing a parent, child or sibling in violent circumstances is particularly traumatic. The grieving process is often prolonged, debilitating, and complicated by feelings of abandonment, anger, fear, and guilt. Rabbi Seth and Sherri Mandell faced just such a trauma when their 13-year-old son, Koby, and his friend, Yosef Ishran, 14, were brutally murdered by terrorists in 2001. Their response was to establish the Koby Mandell Foundation, which provides therapeutic healing programs for families like their own, who have been struck by terrorism. More than 2,000 people have participated in and benefited from its programs, and the foundation has plans to expand its services so more can be helped. In this episode of Israel Hayom Insider, Jonathan Feldstein, the vice president of the Koby Mandell Foundation, speaks with Opinion Editor Steve Ganot about the foundations overnight camps and retreats, the Comedy for Koby tour, and a new scholarship being established in memory of Kristine Luken, which will allow the foundation to offer its programs to more children. Luken, a Christian American tourist, was murdered in December 2010 in an attack that also targeted her tour guide, Kay Wilson, who movingly described the horrific attack in a previous episode of Israel Hayom Insider.
Anchor: Steve Ganot. Camera: Doron Persaud. Makeup: Rona Ben-Ezra. Archive: Koby Mandell Foundation.
WATCH: Helping families cope with loss of a loved one to terrorism
The Koby Mandell Foundation helps bereaved families grieve and return to life • Therapeutic programs have helped thousands • Comedy plays a role in both healing and fundraising • Guest Jonathan Feldstein speaks with Steve Ganot about the foundation.
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