The Grandmother Lighting Up Israel's Independence Day

"I am still shocked and unable to comprehend," says Blanka Got with excitement as we chat with her this week about her feelings after hearing she would be lighting a torch for Israel's 77th Independence Day celebration.

When Blanka Got's name was announced as a torch lighter, Minister Miri Regev explained that she was chosen because since the outbreak of war, she has been diligently knitting warm clothing and hats for soldiers, but more so for being a "weaver of solidarity," delivering an empowering message that age is no obstacle to doing good and helping others. Talking with Blanka, one truly understands the truth in these words. Her sole desire is to do good. For her, lighting the torch is a mission. "I want to represent all the women who have given of themselves for the soldiers, each in her own way," she clarifies.

"When the Purpose is Important, There's No Hardship"

How did you receive the news about lighting the torch?

"It came as a complete surprise, in a phone call last Friday. A woman named Galit introduced herself as being responsible for choosing the torch lighters for the Independence Day ceremony. Galit asked me, 'Am I speaking with Blanka who knits hats for the soldiers?' and when I answered yes, she told me that I had been chosen to light a torch. Since then, I haven't been able to sleep at night, trying to comprehend but failing," Blanka confesses with sincerity. "After receiving the news, my entire family – children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren – all came to celebrate and mark the occasion. We tried to brainstorm what I would proclaim during the torch lighting ceremony, but honestly, we couldn't come up with anything definite. I suggested that I would speak spontaneously, but they laughed at the idea..."

Tell us about the hat knitting that led to your being chosen to light the torch. How did the idea to knit even cross your mind?

"I am a seamstress by profession," she shares, "and I've always sewn hats, scarves, and blankets for my grandchildren. But when the war broke out, I felt like my life came to a standstill and pulled me back many years. Although I am not a Holocaust survivor, and during World War II I lived in Uruguay, I remember hearing about the atrocities being committed against Jews. I also recall the journalist who would walk down the street announcing the news.

"I couldn't help but think that now, our situation is different. Thank Hashem, we have our own country and army to protect us, but it's our duty to support them too. At that time, I was staying with my son and daughter-in-law, who are righteous people preparing meals for soldiers, so I tried to help with the cooking until a request for woolen hats for soldiers came in. It struck a chord with me, and I thought to myself, 'I am already old and can't do much, but I know how to knit.' So I asked my granddaughter to take me to the yarn store, and I bought all the olive-green yarn they had. Since then, I've been knitting constantly, feeling it's my way to contribute," she explains.

How many hats have you knitted since the war started?

"That's a question I'm often asked, but the truth is, I haven't kept count. However, I believe that since the war began, I've been knitting at least two hats a day, so one could try to add it up..."

Was it challenging to produce so many hats?

"Not at all, I didn't see it as difficult. Sure, sometimes I slept less or skipped outings, but I knew the purpose was significant, and when you appreciate the purpose and understand you're doing something important for the country and helping soldiers, it isn't hard."

Blanka wishes to emphasize once more: "Although I was chosen to light the torch, I am far from being the only one knitting hats. I'm personally part of a knitting club that produces many hats for soldiers. I will light the torch not only in my name but on behalf of all the women who have taken part."

The Grandma from the Videos

It should be mentioned that since the war broke out, Blanka hasn't only focused on knitting hats and sewing warm clothing but has also strived to lift the spirits of the entire Jewish people. She does this by participating in short, humorous videos circulating online, featuring her son Eliezer Golan and her granddaughter, actress Hila Shalem, which have been quite successful.

"People see Grandma in the videos and find it hard to believe how she manages to act and amuse everyone at her age," notes Hila, "but the truth is, all the humor in our family starts with her, as we are three generations of 'comediennes,' and Grandma has always been a humorous woman full of life. Whenever she attended our birthdays or any other event, she was the highlight, and my father is the same way.

"We started these videos even before the war, and when it broke out, we took a break because we felt it was inappropriate to laugh during such a difficult time. But then we began receiving reactions and requests from people who wanted us to continue creating and publishing, and we started to realize that laughter and humor provide strength. Suddenly, we realized we have a mission to bring joy to people, and I think that’s why, upon hearing that Grandma was chosen to light a torch, the most common response we heard was: 'She is so deserving,' because Grandma truly brings joy and hope to the people. She does this through knitting hats as well as through the laughter and humor she shares. Grandma teaches us not to be spoiled but to continue to actively contribute to the Jewish people in any way possible."