"Rena Was Murdered in the Valley, So We Chose to Continue Her Goodness Right There"

What do Ein Yedidya, the 'Syrian Bridge,' and Mitzpe Avshalom have in common? No, don't search for their exact locations, because the sites aren't close to each other. They also differ in terms of difficulty level and in many other respects. Nevertheless, at these three sites, and at many other nature spots across Israel, you can find a 'Travel Kit' placed there permanently, for the benefit of travelers and in memory of Rena Shnerb, may her memory be a blessing.

"Continuing Rena's Goodness"

"My cousin Rena Shnerb was murdered at the Dolev spring four years ago, right around this time," recounts Matanya Shnerb, CEO of the 'Kol Rena' nonprofit that commemorates Rena, "In that attack, her father and brother were severely injured, and it was a trauma for all of us. A great disaster for the entire people of Israel. After the profound grief and shock, we felt we had to do something for Rena's memory. The Shnerb family is one so full of goodness, always helping others without end. It was important for us to take that goodness and spread it further, to emit an enormous light to the people of Israel from within the darkness."

Matanya mentions that since then, they've launched numerous acts of kindness projects, led by dozens of volunteers who do it without any compensation. "We've established over 20 second-hand clothing shops nationwide," he elaborates, "Every Shabbat, we organize communal Shabbat tables in various places, and we also offer the 'Traveler's Pack' project at springs and different sites across the country. It's so symbolic because Rena was murdered at a spring, and our response to all the murderers is to add and enable the people of Israel to conquer the land by foot."

A Child's Initiative

Interestingly, the Travel Kit project was born from a creative initiative by a 12-year-old girl. "About three years ago, a 12-year-old girl celebrating her Bat Mitzvah approached us, expressing her desire to create a traveler's kit to be placed at popular hiking sites, containing all the essentials for travelers: sugar and coffee, garbage bags, some canned goods, etc. She asked for our help to promote the project, and we gladly accepted. Today, we have such kits at 37 springs nationwide, and each spring includes a book where visitors are invited to write about their experience and how the kit helped them. The great beauty here is that travelers add their items to the kits. Some have donated tents, grills, Books of Psalms, and a wide variety of other items. It touches us deeply every time and truly reflects the good-heartedness of the people of Israel."

And who maintains the kits? After all, regular management is needed

"Of course, management is needed. From the very beginning, we decided that each kit should have someone responsible for it, and their phone number is listed on the kit. This way, they know whom to contact when something is missing."

As a cousin to the Shnerb family, Matanya notes that he sees firsthand how deeply moved and joyful the family is by the initiatives done in Rena's memory. "We promise to continue promoting the projects and not stop," he assures, "We're already working on adding kits to at least 20 more sites and springs throughout the country, and we see this as a very big mission, for the people of Israel and for travelers in our sacred land."