In memory of two friends tragically lost during the Hamas terror attacks at the Nova rave, two young Israeli women have launched a heartwarming initiative that enables soldiers to send flowers back home to their loved ones.
Hanna Wine, a 22-year-old British-born resident, and her friend Miri Dibo, also 22, initiated “A Hug From Afar.” Remarkably, within just one week, the demand for this thoughtful gesture has more than tripled.
Explaining the motivation behind their initiative, Hanna stated, “Everyone in Israel is doing all that they can to support the war effort. There has been such a focus on ensuring soldiers have everything they could possibly need, such as clothing and food. In fact, soldiers have received so much food that they’re having to discard some of it.”
Recognizing that many of the thousands who stayed at home, including mothers, wives, and parents, were not receiving similar tokens of appreciation, Hanna and Miri decided to brighten their days.
The project is dedicated to the memory of two friends, Rinat Zagdon, 23, and Tiferet Lapidot, who tragically lost her life a day before her 23rd birthday.
Thanks to the dynamic duo’s efforts, soldiers and reservists stationed across Israel can complete an online form with an address and a message to a loved one. Volunteers then transcribe the messages and coordinate the delivery of a bouquet.
For now, delivery locations are primarily in and around Jerusalem.
Hanna described the rapid growth of their project, saying, “It became a significant movement very quickly. Just hours after launching, it gained momentum. It’s challenging to keep up.” In the past week, around 60 bouquets were delivered with the help of eight drivers, and this week, they were set to deliver 170 bouquets with 20 drivers.
They’ve received donations to purchase flowers from both within Israel and abroad, and many flower shops have offered discounts upon learning about the cause. Volunteer delivery drivers have also rallied friends to support this heartwarming endeavor.
Hanna, who spent her formative years in Hendon, northwest London, shared, “Words cannot capture the reactions of some of the recipients when we knock on their doors and hand them a bouquet. There are many tears, especially this week, as people have not seen their loved ones for several days.”
Looking ahead, the organizers plan to source flowers from the south of Israel, where many greenhouses have been left largely unattended as people evacuated to the north.
With over 300,000 reservists called up to serve in Israel, countless households have been left without their loved ones. This initiative, however, seeks to provide a glimmer of hope and support during these challenging times.
