Hadassah Ben Ari: Inspiring Stories of Heroism

"On Simchat Torah, we were in Jerusalem at the home of Chanan's parents," recalls Hadassah Ben Ari, 35, a content creator and editor, married and a mother of seven from Pardes Chana, as she reflects on life-changing days that affected many Israelis. "I was with a two-month-old baby and immediately felt the complexity of understanding the situation in the south while figuring out how to convey it to the children appropriately. Throughout the day, we repeatedly ran to and from the shelter due to alerts. Our secular neighbors updated us regularly on the situation, which heightened my anxiety. Initially, we knew very little, and the children even less, but they sensed something significant and unfamiliar had occurred. While there were no sirens in Pardes Chana, even after returning home, most continued to feel fear and slept in the shelter each night.

"Engulfed in everything happening, I felt pained, knowing I was far from the south and wanting to contribute. My brother was called up for reserves in Gaza, and my sister-in-law stayed with us, so we had several children around. I was determined to maintain their sanity while ensuring they stayed connected to the events. I told myself, 'Israel is going through such an ordeal, and they can't just be playing PlayStation.' So I suggested, 'Let's read Tehillim, draw, and bake cakes.' Yet this didn't catch their interest. Out of nowhere, I proposed telling them heroic stories, and I witnessed their eyes light up. This was the birth of the 'Heroes of War' initiative, encompassing the book, website, audio files, and hundreds of stories that impacted so many and will continue to do so."

Revealing a Little, Hiding a Lot

"After several days of trying to keep them informed through various activities unsuccessfully, I began sharing the story of Rachel Edri, the hero from Ofakim. Naturally, I didn't tell everything and tailored the story to their age level, and suddenly, the kids gathered around and eagerly listened. Seeing their reaction, I realized if it worked for them, it could benefit all the children in the country. I promised to share a heroic story each day, and they eagerly anticipated this. My father served in the Air Force for decades, and the army was very present in our home. As a child, I read many books and stories about heroics. So, this topic was familiar and dear to me. Also, reading difficult stories didn't traumatize me but instilled a desire to grow and do significant things.

"Given the success at home, I toyed with writing the stories and distributing them widely. One day, my good friend Shira Shimon was at my kitchen, and I shared my thoughts. She loved the idea and said, 'You write well. I know a graphic designer; let's do it.' Soon, Tehila Bar Hama, our graphic designer, joined, and Udi Agassi helped set up a Facebook presence for the first time in my life. We launched the project proactively and effectively.

(Credit: Meital Winning Moments)

"I began writing intensely. Within a week, we went live and started publishing the stories on social networks through pages titled 'Heroes of War.' It was paramount to convey these heroes' stories to the world, particularly in a child-friendly manner, and we dedicated ourselves wholeheartedly. Before writing, I consulted with a psychologist specializing in children's psychology and received excellent writing advice. Her guidance was outstanding, and indeed, parent and child feedback was outstanding. We felt we had met a need. Writing wasn't easy, as I wanted to inspire and convey truth while considering children's well-being and emotional balance.

What advice did you get from the child psychologist you consulted?

"She provided advice I adhered to strictly. For example, she suggested not giving detailed accounts of events, instead writing more generally. For instance, not graphically describing where someone was injured but simply stating they were injured. Another piece was to suggest an appropriate age for reading the story, and to guide parents to talk with their children after listening to the story to ask how they experienced it. Interestingly, several parents, including reservists returning from long service, appreciated that we provided these difficult stories in a measured manner.

Aside from that, what other challenges did you face during the project?

"Writing the stories within 280 words was one of the toughest challenges. Many believe it's harder to write a longer story than a shorter one, but the opposite is true. Additionally, I aimed to write two stories daily, which was not easy. Another challenge was having all the stories reviewed by child psychologists; things that stirred emotions had to be toned down to avoid overwhelming the kids. I mentioned to them that children know about disasters, that they aren't as innocent as we sometimes think, but they advised that since the war was ongoing, it was best to avoid emotionally charged content. As the war continued, it became easier to touch upon stories and release them, for both writers and young readers.

What about funding the initiative? It's quite an expense.

"Initially, I considered forming an NGO and raising funds for the project, but it was overwhelming and ultimately not aligned with the project. Everyone involved volunteered. In the end, I'm glad we did it this way, as introducing money often complicates volunteer work. This initiative was very important, and I preferred it remained free of interests and finances. We wrote about remarkable heroes, many of whom walk among us, and I know it offers great strength for overcoming their challenges. For some, this war will never end."

For Values of Eternity

The project, born in the Ben Ari family's kitchen, gained rapid momentum, reaching places and achieving numbers beyond its founder's dreams. "I quickly recognized the high demand for heroic stories from the current war, adapted for children. Writers eager to participate joined, and today we have around 40 volunteers in writing, editing, narration, and translation. Eventually, we realized there was demand for publishing stories in more languages, so we translated them into English, French, and more, in collaboration with the Zionist Federation, World Bnei Akiva, and more. Amidst this, we built a website that houses all the stories we've written, and about a month ago, a book compiling 70 of these stories was published.

"The project truly took off. I found myself discussing it with influential individuals, including ambassadors and politicians, and I know it brought a lot of good to the world. The values conveyed to tens of thousands of children who heard the stories reflect the eternal values of the Jewish people, influencing them and all of Israel for generations to come. I thank Hashem for the privilege I had in establishing this initiative, and I intend to continue supporting and enhancing it, while already contemplating future essential endeavors."