Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Muswell Hill Synagogue has welcomed the family of their adopted hostage, Michel Nisenbaum.

The 59-year-old Brazilian-born Israeli, who was taken captive by Hamas terrorists,was adopted by the shul in February as part of the adopt-a-hostagescheme launched by the Board of Deputies.

The community has been sayingprayers for the missing grandfather ever since. Its part of the tefillah [prayer service] now, saidDaniel Shaw, chair of the synagogue.

Sixth months on from his capture, Michels family stopped to look at a photo of him on the bimah, Its very emotional. It's a feeling of warmth to know youve adopted Michel, saidMichels niece, Ayala Harel, 42.

Michal's family are shown the Muswell Hill ark by Daniel Shaw

Its like hes part of the family, Michels nephew, Shai Shojat, 44, remarked.

Over one hundred synagogues are taking partin the Boards scheme. Muswell Hill Synagogues Board deputy Judith Prinsley said: Its imperative that the hostages are not forgotten and that thescheme kept the human stories of thehostages at the forefront of the communitys mind. At Muswell Hill, a seat is left for Michel at all communal events.

Michel, an energetic grandfather of six, worked as a computer technician and tour guide. Ayala fondly remembers his frequent visits for coffee. He would pick up his grandchildren once a week and give them dinner and he loves the songs of Shlomo Artzi, she told the JC.In 2018, he stayed in Golders Green and visited national landmarks on a trip to the UK.

Michel visited Windsor Castle in 2018 with his sister Mery

On October 7, he was on his way to collect his four-year-old granddaughter when, somewhere along the now notorious Route 232, he vanished.

His oldest daughter, Chen, saw a video of terrorists in Sderot, where he lived, and tried to call him, Ayala explained.

After 15minutes, Hamas picked up the phone and shouted: Hamas, Hamas, were in Israel. They called her back and said: Is this is your father? and then:Were from Gaza;we came to Israel;were Hamas.

Two hours later, the terror group published a video of Michels driver's license and MDA volunteering card. Since then, the family has heard a recorded phone call that Michel made to the police, which went unanswered.

His car was found burnt out, without any trace of a body, and after two weeks, the IDF informed the family that Michel was in Gaza.His tablet was traced to the Palestinian territory.

Shai Shojat, Shai's daughter Mia Shojat, Ayala Harel and friend Bar Messer at Muswell Hill Synagogue

Unlike most of the hostages who were taken in groups, Michel was alone and has not been seen by any released hostages.

His sixth grandchild was born four months ago, so hes never met him, Ayala said.

Michels two daughters both have young families, so the task of advocacy has fallen on Ayalas shoulders, and she isback in the city she called home when she worked in London between 2002 and 2007.

The mother of three lost friends on October 7 and relives the trauma every day: We are not post-traumatic yet, we are still in it [...] I wake up every morning and I realise I cant go back to 6 October. My life is stuck, changed forever.

She avoids news of a hostage deal.Theyre a roller-coaster, where you get your wishes up and they are destroyed.

Ayala Harel looks at a display board of the hostages in Muswell Hull Synagogue that draws attention to the plight of her uncle Michel Nisenbaum

We heard that Elad Katzir was murdered in January. Hostages saw him [in Gaza]. He was alive and now he is not. We dont have time, she said.

Ayala is concerned about her uncles health he has Crohn's disease and has not received any medical treatment in Gaza.

He did so much for me, so I have to do everything I can for him, she said. All I can do is share his story and keep it alive.Along with the adopt a hostage scheme, Ayala is shedding light on the stories behind the posters of the missing hostages.

See the article here:

Hostage family visit the community who have been praying for their uncle every week - The Jewish Chronicle

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