The Jewish Agency\'s weekly publication, Global Jewish Agenda, reports on a new initiative to strengthen Israel-Diaspora bonds. Elah Galimov, whose two daughters Yelena and Yulia were killed in the Dolphinarium terrorist attack in Tel Aviv this past June, sent a letter to more than 1.5 million Jews worldwide asking them \"not to turn your backs on Israel.\" The letter was placed on synagogue seats on Yom Kippur eve in the US and Canada as well as in several European countries.
Elah, who lives now with her sole surviving child, a teenaged son, wrote: “Despite the fact that my life is full of unbelievable pain, I am committed to living in this country. Israel welcomed me and my family, and offered us a home. Please do not turn your backs on Israel. Innocent children are being killed. My daughters were killed… They simply wanted to live, to study and to laugh. They dreamt of getting married, having children and raising families. The people of the world must pay attention.\" The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized the distribution of the letter as part of a worldwide campaign called “Return to Roots,\" striving to reaffirm the connection between world Jewry and Israel.
Elah, who lives now with her sole surviving child, a teenaged son, wrote: “Despite the fact that my life is full of unbelievable pain, I am committed to living in this country. Israel welcomed me and my family, and offered us a home. Please do not turn your backs on Israel. Innocent children are being killed. My daughters were killed… They simply wanted to live, to study and to laugh. They dreamt of getting married, having children and raising families. The people of the world must pay attention.\" The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized the distribution of the letter as part of a worldwide campaign called “Return to Roots,\" striving to reaffirm the connection between world Jewry and Israel.