The camp invited 350 of our youngest victims for three days of relaxation, fun, excitement, and rehabilitation.

As the children lit the candles of the Hannuka menorah, some of the children shared words of encouragement.

I am here today because nine years ago my sister and I were in a terror attack. I was only three years old at the time. My sister was killed. I am lucky to be alive. I was only lightly wounded, although the injury has had a major impact on my life. A bullet pierced my hand, and the damage done has destroyed my ability to use my right hand.

My injury continues to give me difficulties. I used to be right handed and I had to learn how to write with my left hand.

I love music a lot! It was my dream to become a pianist. But, let me tell you, I’ve had a lot of difficulty with my hand and had to give up on that dream. Two years ago, I started playing guitar. The first year was great! My hand didn’t give me any problems. But then in the second year, my hand started bothering me and my doctor told me that I couldn’t play anymore.

This year I learned how to play clarinet. It was an instrument that I had been interested in playing for a long time. And then it became difficult… Because of my hand, I couldn’t play it. I was so disappointed.

I thought that I had to give up on my dream of becoming a musician. Every single day I would sit in my house crying – I was so frustrated that I couldn’t do something because of an event that happened to me nine years ago. I thought that maybe I should just continue on with life and stop dreaming.

But my mother and teacher told me not to give up. Together they searched for a new instrument that I could play.

First they started me on the Harmonica, which requires limited movement of my right hand. But that isn’t really a serious instrument and I wanted more.

Now I am learning how to play the Saxophone. It is an instrument that I should be able to continue playing … and make my dreams come true. I want to open up my world to music. Maybe one day I’ll perform in a symphony.

I want to tell everyone here that sometimes things are difficult. And sometimes we think that we should give up. But remember, in the dark there is always light.