On Zion It Shines: The Parochet that Moved Tair Rada's Mother to Tears

Ilana Rada did not expect such a surprise. Ilana is the mother of Tair Rada, of blessed memory, who was murdered about a decade ago at her school in Katzrin. The discussion regarding the identity of the murderer, which is still not entirely resolved, has deeply engaged Israeli society, making the Rada family's story touch the hearts of many. Ortal Gridish, 33 years old from Tal Menashe in Northern Samaria, a mother of seven, married to a career officer, prepared a special gift for them, which deeply moved the entire family.

Ortal shares her story: "For many years, I've dreamed of entrepreneurship and personal creation, something special where I can express my skills and dreams. About a year ago, I decided to fulfill my dream. I meticulously planned a workshop for producing parochets and Jewish art products. I ordered a special-sized embroidery machine for hundreds of thousands of shekels from China, and I began to build it. Of course, this involved taking risks, but I knew I was doing the right thing. Consequently, the 'Paamon VeRimon' - a parochet and Jewish art workshop for home and synagogue - was born with surprising speed."

What exactly do you do in the workshop?

"In our workshop, we design and embroider sacred art, and all production is done in our blessed land. We have many designs of parochets in various styles to choose from in our catalog, but our uniqueness lies in customization and personal design. People order parochets to elevate the soul of their loved ones, or for the success and healing of their family and friends, and we fulfill their wishes. When we approach to design a parochet, we consider the structure of the synagogue, the character of the place and the worshippers, and the person they wish to memorialize - with a verse that indicates their name or character. In general, it is important for me to say that a parochet is much more than art. It embodies a lot of emotion and soul, which ultimately connects and binds worshippers to Hashem through observing the parochet and the Ark."

And now to the highlight. Tell us about the unique parochet you created in memory of Tair, and your connection with the family.

"One of the more emotional parochets we made came from an encounter I never had with Tair Rada, of blessed memory. It all started when I saw the pictures of her father, Shmuel, in a wheelchair. At that time, he was struggling to breathe and longed to see the synagogue they built in her memory. After seeing him like that, I decided to donate a parochet to elevate her soul. I contacted Ilana, and she agreed enthusiastically. I asked her to tell me a bit about Tair, as I didn't want to just create another parochet but something with soul, with a personal touch. Ilana, her kind mother, asked me to incorporate a menorah in the parochet, and she told me that Tair loved to draw birds."

"In the end," Ortal adds, "I designed a parochet with a menorah, a broken parochet, roughly cut, just like the life of this pure girl, cut cruelly. On the anniversary of Tair's father's passing, Shmuel, of blessed memory, Ilana again sat shiva - this time for her mother. As time passes, I increasingly understand the privilege of walking with her to the synagogue, specifically on this day, to install the new parochet we made in Tair's memory. The excitement in the synagogue was immense. I truly hope I managed to bring some light to this family. Above all, I believe the pictures of the parochet convey the power of the matter more than any words I could write. May Tair's memory be blessed."