Adar Family
"I want to share with you what the Hug for Hope project is and what it has done for us. When the idea began, I thought it was a dream and there was no chance it would come true. Slowly, the project took shape.
We filled out many forms, and Eliezer, the founder of the idea, connected us with Arlene and Richard. We talked on the phone and met in Israel. They visited the kibbutz and saw the horrors we went through: the burnt houses and the terrible evil done by the terrorists.
I was very worried about how it would work and how it would be to stay with strangers for 11 days. Very quickly, my fears passed, and we connected like old friends. I thank God for sending us Arlene and Richard and the extended Leibtag family. The whole family was with us over the weekend and surrounded us with a lot of love. We couldn't have asked for more. We so needed all the attention, hugs, and love they showered upon us. We so needed this vacation. Almost nine months had passed without seeing Moshe breathe, smile, and live life.
Every day, they thought about what to do to please us and make sure we were far from what we experienced and still are going through. It's clear that it remains in our minds, our blood, and our souls, but it definitely gives us some peace, calm, and a lot of love. Moments we will remember all our lives.
Thank you for everything. We will always remember the warmth, love, and care of those who have become part of our family. With your help, we hope others will be lucky enough to have the same wonderful experience we have had. "
Leibtag Family
"Hug for Hope made perfect sense, especially with so many people suffering in Israel. We asked ourselves, how can we help?
Meeting Eliezer Manor, his wife Nurit, Moshe Adar, and Zili Hed-Adar, we instantly felt a deep connection, starting from our very first hugs. They are truly the gift of a lifetime.
We are now like brothers and sisters, united.
It was a moving experience to see them gradually relax, with the tension visibly easing from their shoulders. Hearing them say, 'We slept,' after so much hardship was the ultimate gift. Sharing in laughter with them, when they had not done so in a long time, was incredibly meaningful.
Being able to let go, have them enjoy the company of our family and friends, explore a new country, and experience a new culture was such a powerful and beautiful moment. It was, without a doubt, the greatest gift we’ve ever received, and in turn, been able to give."
Morag Family
“Our experience with the "Hugs for Hope" program in Canada was truly incredible. It provided our family with a much-needed break during challenging times, offering a warm and relaxing vacation with our generous host family, as well as the chance to connect and spend time with their extended family. We found ourselves embraced by a new family away from home, creating lasting connections that brought us comfort and joy, which were crucial to our recovery process. The hosting family also seemed genuinely happy and gained a lot from the connection, finding fulfillment in being on the giving side. This experience not only allowed us to recharge but also deepened our sense of gratitude and togetherness. The memories we made will forever hold a special place in our hearts."
Kaplan Family
"Eliezer matched us with the Morag and Avital families. We spoke on zoom, we communicated on WhatsApp, sent pictures. We all just knew it would work. For us it felt like we were bringing family from Israel, even though we had never met in person.
The Morag family stayed with us in July and the Avital family in August of 24. It was an incredible experience with both families and life altering for our family. We went to the zoo, caught a subway to Union station, Centre Island, Canada’s Wonderland, Lego Land, Niagara Falls, grocery shopping, and cooking meals together. We went on dog walks, with all the children bonding with all the dogs and the highlight being time all together up north at a family cottage. Our immediate and extended family all participated.
We laughed, had fun, were active, and had many emotional conversations. We fell in love with the children and bonded with the Morag and Avital families. So this Hug for Hope emotional initiative and connection is about giving, but just know…our whole family got back more than we ever imagined. And we have a bond and family connection for life."
Avital Family
"Now that we are on the plane, we have a moment to digest and process all that we have been through.
An unusual experience… This was not a normal vacation of trips from dawn to dusk, as we are used to. This was a special rest.
Long rest and moments of deep breaths and diving inward.
It is impossible to describe everything we went through with you and together.
You allowed us to feel special, important, loved and protected.
We felt that we were surrounded by cotton wool that kept us safe, that we’ll always feel tenderness and affection.
Thank you for allowing us to enter your heart, your home, to be a real part of your family. It is not obvious that you opened your heart to us.
Thanks to you we head back much stronger, more confident, and above all believe in our own strength.Thank you for restoring our trust in others and in ourselves.
We will never forget everything we got from you.
Your family is one of a kind, warm and loving, and we are lucky to have you.
Thank you for the talks, the swims, the meals, the trips, the runs, the treats, the laughs and the tears."
Baum Family
“If I had to sum up our stay with you in Canada I would need to write a book. What can I say? We had an absolutely wonderful experience with possibly the nicest people I have had the pleasure to meet. We not only became friends but also family. It was a time to leave our troubled life behind and be ourselves. A time to relax, enjoy and heal the pain inside. Even if it was only ten days we had together, we feel like we have known you all our lives and are looking forward to seeing you again.”
Elliott Warsh & Daniella Gold
"What the experience meant to us? Well, kind of difficult to adequately translate the feelings into words.
If it works and you have the necessary chemistry with your family, within days they morph from strangers to family members. We now have (even more) family in Israel. None of us, them or us, wanted it to end. We all started dreading the declining number of days left as the week progressed. We laughed (and cried) all week together. And then more tears at the airport saying “bye for now”. And I supposed that’s it in a nutshell.
After living together for 10 days, sharing laughs, tears, food, drink and so much more, we made friends/family that we’ll see as often as life allows. We speak throughout the week either by phone or whatsapp. And I can’t see that stopping. Bottom line-we made a connection with other human beings who desperately needed a “hug”. How good is that???"
Hengali Family
"Thanks to dear Eliezer Manor, we had the privilege of getting to know a lovely family that became our new family. The connection was immediate and the bond created between us is forever. We did many things together.
We were at a football game, in the park, at Niagara Falls, in the city and in the amazing countryside. We had meals together with the family and went out to restaurants. We know that we won an experience that will stay with us for a lifetime, especially in such a difficult and complex time."
Fenwick Family
Our family sponsored an Israeli family from Kibbutz Zikim adjacent to the Zikim Beach. This kibbutz was attacked on October 7 and has suffered from ongoing missile threats for many years.
Fifty-one soldiers were slaughtered that day on the nearby army base and nineteen civilians from the beach were killed and or kidnapped that day -1 km from their home.
The Hengali’s came to Toronto with 2 of their 4 kids, aged 10 and 14. We met them over zoom 3 times previously to their arrival to help ensure a good match and expectations at both ends. Welcoming a family into a home begins with a leap of faith but ends with a wonderful and meaningful experience for everyone.
The first few days, we watched the family de-stress, gain our trust and bond with us in a calm and reassuring environment. The 10 year old who hadn’t left his mom’s side since October 7 until a few days after their arrival , was now smiling again.
During the 10 days, we laughed, smiled, cried while our Israeli visitors quickly became part of our family. They also got a taste of cottage life which they absolutely loved ,Toronto by subway, sports games, Niagara Falls and the Canadian National Exhibition. The parents got to go on their first date since Oct 7. They also enjoyed free time navigating in Toronto on their own.
What made the experience extra special for us and them, is that our children also embraced them, along with our siblings, spouses and close friends. Everyone actively participated in the 10 days of activities and gatherings, and showered the family with lots of warmth and love. Overall, the program was an incredible and transformational experience for everyone, bonding with an Israeli family in great need. We provided respite and hope for the future , creating lifelong bonds between our new ‘family’ and the Diaspora.
We are in touch weekly and feel much love on both sides of the world. We would be happy to be a resource for other families considering the program.
Golan Family
"Thank you for your invitation, which gave us ten days of paradise and relaxation. Because of you, we had the chance to meet wonderful friends and share our feelings about October 7th and our experience at our kibbutz near the Gaza Strip.
You made everything perfect with your warm hospitality and excellent itinerary.
We love you as family and will always consider you our dearest friends."
Leibtag Family
"What a wonderful and rewarding experience Mary and I had hosting the Golan family! They made scores of new friends and enlightened all our lives."
Ribshtain Family
"For me and my family. Our experience was beyond what we imagined and expected.
We met a strong and united Jewish community and above all determined and mobilized for the people of Israel and the State of Israel, knowing this gave us a sense of security and hope that together there is hope for better days. We made many friends and especially we grew our family and a promise that we will always stay together as a family.
I am very happy for my privilege to be a part of this wonderful project for me and especially for my children who learned an important lesson in Judaism and the importance of the Jewish community that just as we are for them in the Land of Israel, they are for us in the world, caring and strengthening in every possible way."
Radomski Family
"Hug for hope has been a life changing initiative for Harry and me.
We have now a whole new part of our family. Yair, Rivital, Yuval, Yarden and Pelug Ribshtain. They are all with us in our hearts and thoughts every day and this will affect not just us but our children and their children.
We have taught them about their huge family in the diaspora that they really had no idea about and they have shared their life and experiences with us.
We, all of us, our family and the Ribshtain family, carry this and share this to the many other people and connections in our lives, the stories, the love. This is what has happened and will continue to happen and will have such a long lasting and important significance."
