The Bereaved Father and Grandfather: "I Wouldn't Have Survived Without Art and Faith"

How does a bereaved father cope when he hears his grandchildren were killed in a car accident? How does one continue living after half the family is wiped out? Avraham Greenfeld, a resident of the settlement Michmas, is all about love and faith. He belongs to a group of people who cannot fall in spirit and insist on seeing the good in everything and every situation.

"My life has never been easy," he recounts, "As a child, I experienced economic hardships, and I remember my parents sending me to study at a new yeshiva to not burden them financially. Later, I enlisted as a paramedic in an armored reconnaissance unit and was the only religious person in the platoon, creating many challenges and confrontations. Not to mention the War of Attrition in which I participated, where I literally experienced the fear of death."

But the real challenge came later. "During the Second Lebanon War, we suffered a tragedy that changed our lives," he says painfully. "My son, Yehuda, of blessed memory, fell in the war, leaving behind his wife Gabriela and young children - Raaya, two and a half, and Ron, three months old."

About three years ago, the sword continued to strike the Greenfeld family. Hanoch, another son of Avraham, flew with his wife Noa and their four children on a trip to Georgia. In a severe and tragic car accident, well-remembered, Achinoam, aged nine, and Nevo, aged five, were killed. Noa, their mother, was seriously injured. "They informed me of it on Yom Kippur eve, and it was very hard for me to pray," Avraham recalls, "The sorrow was piercing. I felt I couldn't do anything but think of my son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. But from the darkness, I began to see the light. Suddenly I said to myself: 'Hanoch and Noa were saved, that's a true miracle, and their two children - Yiftach and Ivri, survived. Don't forget that Gabriela, Yehuda's former wife, remarried, and you have a good relationship with her, her husband, and your grandchildren. How can you not give thanks?'"

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Fighting Parkinson's

The motto 'to give thanks for everything' has accompanied Avraham in recent years, during which he has had to deal with Parkinson's disease that erupted into his life.

"Nothing can prepare a person for the loss of abilities," he says sadly, his experience speaking from his throat, "But I think the challenges I've faced throughout my life and overcoming them, they are what gave me the strength and faith that help me to this day. In addition, there is the study of Torah, which I have been diligent about since I was a little boy. As a child, my mother insisted that I study at noon with a teacher from Hungary. I did not always love it, but it taught me not to give up on myself. Also, the fact that I was the only religious person in the army strengthened my faith and helped me stand by my principles."

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What gives you strength in difficult times?

"Every time I almost sink into sadness, I remember my dear grandfather - my father's father. He died young, leaving my grandmother a widow with two small orphans. The sorrow was very great. Later, my father was a partisan, fought the Germans, and risked his life to save Jews. My mother, Nechama, also born in Hungary, was the only daughter of her wealthy parents and lived a luxurious life. All this goodness was cut short when she was sent with her parents to Auschwitz, where they were murdered, and she was sent to work. After the war, my parents met, married, and immigrated to Israel.

"Today, you can see, from people who have gone through so much in their lives, large and impressive families have grown, thank Hashem. I also see Hashem's grace in a special way in that my sons Yehuda and Hanoch have children left. This strengthens me greatly. I truly see Hashem's grace. Regarding Parkinson's disease - it is not easy at all, but I have taught myself not to give up, and above all, I grasp with all my might my hobby of many years – photography and professional photo editing. These days I'm also launching an exhibition, presenting my works. It will be displayed at Beit Yad L'Banim in Ramat Gan starting next week."

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The Camera in Hand

Regarding what led to the exhibition's creation, he says: "I've loved taking photos since my childhood. At 17, I bought a camera and started photographing. Later, I had the financial opportunity to study photography or electrical engineering. I chose to study a profession that would allow me to support my family, and photography remained a hobby. But now, at my age, I can allow myself to dedicate time to hobbies, and that's what I do. My exhibition features portraits, nature photography, and unique edits in a personal style. It's an exhibition for anyone interested, and it allows me to express myself with colors, shapes, and combinations. It gives me much joy and satisfaction."

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Avraham's photographs, as can be seen, are masterpieces in many respects such as composition, perspective, and colors. However, the standout feature is the love reflected in them: love for people, the land, nature, and action.

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Avraham claims that in people, nature photos, and his unique edits, he sees the light that connects and binds us humans. "I feel this is the way for me to express the deep things residing in my heart's depths using abstract and other forms, all while combining matter and spirit. I try to convey joy and optimism in my works as means to cope with life's difficulties."

Do you have a message you can pass on to others who are struggling?

"You can't tell others anything, because everyone goes through their path differently. But you can hug, listen, and help whenever needed," Avraham asserts, "And one can always strengthen in faith. I can personally testify that faith is what helps me. I believe that Hashem does everything for the good, and you can always find the good in the given situation."