VIP Treatment for Hero Women

By Rochelle Ginsburg
Photos: Bentzi Sasson

Gender issues and the woman’s role in Jewish culture is a hot topic in Israel’s media, but for one group of women on a dream ten-day trip to New York City hosted by Chabad Israel Center of the Upper East Side and accompanied by Chabad Terror Victims Project, it’s a non-issue.

Chani Avramov, an Israeli border guard serving in a unit assigned to capture terrorists attempting to enter Israel, was sitting in the back of an army jeep en route to routine military operations when she noticed a car driving behind them.

“I didn’t give it much thought,” she says. But the next time she turned around she saw four rifles protruding from the car, pointing directly at her.

Almost before she had time to react, a burst of gunfire began. Four terrorists shot 29 bullets. A total of 27 reached the back of the jeep. Chani was severely injured: one bullet lodged in her leg, and as she screamed to the driver, a second bullet landed in her jaw. Trying to escape as fast as he could, the driver sped up, and Chani fell out of the jeep. She remembers no more from the attack.

In fatal condition, medics did not think Chani would survive. It took three attempts to resuscitate her and she lost an enormous amount of blood. The rest of the unit was told she had passed away.

But Avramov pulled through. She survived seven hours of emergency surgery. The doctors did not expect her to gain consciousness for at least four days, but Chani surprised everyone by opening her eyes just four hours after surgery. Her physical recovery started then, but after more than ten years and fifteen surgeries later, her ordeal is still not over. She has a long line of operations to undergo.

Mental recovery was even more challenging. Those two bullets stole Chani’s biggest loves: singing and dancing. The first bullet stole her voice; the second changed her from a promising young dancer to someone who walks with difficulty.

According to recent reports, Israel is the only country in the world with a mandatory military service requirement for women. Today, 34% of all positions in the IDF are held by women–the greatest percentage in the world.

Studies have shown that the desire to serve is as strong among the girls as it is among the boys and 92% of all military jobs are available to women in the IDF. On the ground, in the air or at sea – the IDF’s women soldiers take equal part in protecting Israel at all times, including in combat units.

In past years, Belev Echad’s annual VIP trip to honor wounded soldiers and victims of terror was primarily for men. This year the spotlight was turned on women. The recovering Chani Avramov is among them.

“Judaism has the greatest respect and admiration for women and so we are delighted to be honoring ten of Israel’s heroines,” said Rabbi Uriel Vigler, director of Chabad Israel Center of the Upper East Side. “If we can help even one of these brave souls forget her troubles for a moment and see hope in her future, we will have done our job.”

Tzippy Bloomberg, another guest on Chabad’s VIP trip whose pregnant mother was killed and father paralyzed in a terror attack that severely injured her spine and stomach eleven years ago, was in pain the entire flight. She experiences pain constantly; there is no relief.

When she arrived at her hotel room on Sunday, she expressed her surprise at being temporarily distracted from the pain by the excitement of staying in the heart of Times Square.

“To see young girls whose lives have been shattered mentally and physically, who endure challenges on a daily basis, is simply beyond words,” said Liora Kutner, co-head of the delegation from Israel representing Chabad Terror Victims Project.

“When they come to New York City and forget about their troubles and pain, have the time of their lives and receive unconditional love from Jews in the U.S. – this is the greatest present that Chabad can give them.”

Upon arrival at JFK, the soldiers were treated to a beautiful welcome reception and a barbecue at a private residence. The coming days will catapult them into a whirlwind of touring, shopping and VIP events.

Included in their itinerary was a spectacular helicopter ride over the city, tours of major NYC attractions, a warm welcome by children of a Chabad preschool, makeup sessions and a fashion show, Broadway shows, bowling, a grand dinner with leaders of the NYC business community and a warm, embracing Shabbat with Upper East Side Jews.

Belev Echad is a project of Chabad Israel Center on the Upper East Side in conjunction with Chabad Terror Victims Project. Bios of the honored soldiers and victims of terror, as well as a running trip blog, can be found at chabadic.com/BelevEchad