The colorful towns and cities of Romania and Slovakia provided the perfect antidote for two very special OneFamily groups, one comprised of the orphaned sons and daughters of terror victims where both parents were murdered, and other incorporating bereaved mothers, both of whom spent a spectacular week exploring these quaint European countries.

The orphaned sons and daughters group (comprising 87 people), many of whom have started their own families, were also able to bring their children with them, which in some cases represented the first time they had ever been abroad. During the course of their weeklong trek they visited some of Romania’s most popular attractions including the city of Brasov, where a garden was named after the late Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin, the renowned Peles Castle in Sinaia and Bucharest’s Choral synagogue.

For Tzvi Yehuda Dickstein the trip represented a life-changing experience for himself and his family. “The trip was extremely emotional, powerful and well organized. I went on this trip overseas with many fears.  For one, I had never left the country, even though I had been offered a trip in the past. I always felt as if that this was not right for me,” revealed Tzvi Yehuda. “However, during the course of the trip, I rediscovered myself. It provided me with the mental space I had not experienced for many years- to look deep within myself and rejuvenate. We also bonded closely with our children, as we had never spent a full vacation week with them since they were born. In addition, we were able to reconnect with our siblings during this trip, which was just as important.”

In Slovakia, the bereaved mothers group (43 people) reveled in the beauty of the country,  by visiting some of its most enticing sites, including Banska Bystrica, a picturesque river valley town, as well as Dobsinska, one of the most famous ice caves in the world. The group also took a river cruise into Poland where they visited the stunning town of Zakopane at the foot of the Tatra Mountains.

The trip was also an opportunity for the bereaved mothers to enjoy, laugh and cry. Ronit Simcha Sherki revealed, “Over the course of the trip I met new mothers and after hearing about their fallen children I cried with them. Yes, we cried but we also shared some happy and enjoyable movements as well. I want to thank all of you for sharing the love and the reciprocal support.  This trip represented a wonderful opportunity to take a break out of my dizzying life’s routine and regaining strength through the bonding with the mothers.”

The colorful towns and cities of Romania provided the perfect antidote for the orphaned sons and daughters of terror victims where both parents had been murdered in terror attacks.

The group, which was comprised of 87 people, was a true celebration of life as many of the orphaned sons and daughters of who have been meticulously cared for by OneFamily and started their own families in recent years, were also able to bring their children with them. In many cases, the overseas trip represented the first time the orphans and their new families had ever been abroad. During the course of their weeklong trek they visited some of Romania’s most popular attractions including the city of Brasov, where a garden was named after the late Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin, the renowned Peles Castle in Sinaia and Bucharest’s Choral synagogue.

For Tzvi Yehuda Dickstein the trip represented a life-changing experience for himself and his family. “The trip was extremely emotional, powerful and well organized. I went on this trip overseas with many fears.  For one, I had never left the country, even though I had been offered a trip in the past. I always felt as if that this was not right for me,” revealed Tzvi Yehuda. “However, during the course of the trip, I rediscovered myself. It provided me with the mental space I had not experienced for many years- to look deep within myself and rejuvenate. We also bonded closely with our children, as we had never spent a full vacation week with them since they were born. In addition, we were able to reconnect with our siblings during this trip, which was just as important.”