From left, Ashley and Emma Birenbaum, who will celebrate their b’not mitzvah on Nov. 2, 2024, are marking the occasion by making bracelets to support A Future for The Survivors and the Wounded, an organization which benefits those directly impacted by the attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Emma and Ashley Birenbaum raise funds for survivors of 10/7
By Deb Silverthorn
Ashley and Emma Birenbaum, twin sisters readying to celebrate their b’not mitzvah on Nov. 2, have had their hearts bound together since birth. Stepping into their roles as adults in the Jewish community, they are binding beads together to benefit the Israel Defense Forces and A Future for the Survivors and Wounded, born out of crisis and tragedy, providing hope and healing.
“It just made sense that we do something in honor and in memory of the victims of Oct. 7,” said Ashley. She noted that the family is always praying and worried for family members in Israel including cousins serving in the IDF. “Every day since then has been horrible and for the people who were there, the experience hasn’t gone away. We want to help give whatever support people need.”
Emma and Ashley, the daughters of Lisa and Todd Birenbaum and sisters of Joshua and Jeremy, are eighth-grade students at Renner Middle School. The family belongs to Congregation Anshai Torah.
Neta Abir Lev and her brother Matan Abir Lev spoke to nearly a dozen audiences in March 2024. They inspired Ashley and Emma Birenbaum to create their mitzvah project.
“I think it’s important, even from thousands of miles away, that we do whatever we can,” Emma said. “The bracelets earn money for us to send to help the people in Israel, but they are also a physical symbol of support around our community.”
On March 12, Lisa and Todd Birenbaum attended a program at Anshai Torah with Neta and Matan Abir Lev. The siblings were traveling the country telling their story. She is a survivor of the Nova Festival and he is an IDF soldier.
Neta had been at the Nova Festival when the attacks began and was forced to separate from her family and friends as terrorists opened fire. After eight hours of running for their lives, they were rescued. However, she lost her cousin, who was her best friend, to the terrorists’ actions. Other friends were taken hostage. Matan was part of the search team for his sister and others. For the next four months, including two months inside Gaza, he served as a combat engineering platoon leader.
Neta and Matan, and separately Daniel and Neriyah Sharabi, also survivors of the tragedy at the festival, made more than a dozen appearances at local synagogues, schools and churches. They spoke on behalf of A Future for the Survivors and Wounded, founded by the Sharabi family in honor of their sons, and many others, who were heroes on that fateful day.
The organization provides emotional rehabilitation including organized therapy retreats in Israel and abroad; it is establishing a 24/7 support hotline. It also provides financial recovery and support for health care, as well as grants and gift cards to help with groceries, clothing and more. There is also assistance to those needing to return to the workforce and social rehabilitation, through organized group trips, meetings and social events and the formation of private social media and WhatsApp groups.
“We told our kids about the program and the girls immediately wanted to do something to help. They won’t stop until all of the hostages are rescued,” said Lisa. “We have shipped bracelets around the country and sold them to people close by whom we didn’t know before. The support has been overwhelming.”
The girls were inspired by the stories their parents related and decided to make and sell bracelets to support the organization. They have well surpassed their initial goal of $1,818 by selling sets of three bracelets: one each of a blue-and-white (representing the Israeli flag), a yellow (representing the hostages) and a blue-and-white with beads spelling Israel. As this article went to press, more than $2,400 had been raised.
The sisters, with their mother sometimes assisting at the dining room table, have fulfilled sales for friends and family and from people they’ve never met — one of whom bought 10 sets.
“It’s beautiful that these girls have put so much of themselves and their hearts into this,” said Mor Bara Volner, who hosted Neta and Matan during their visit. “I’m proud of how important serving their Judaism is to them and to Neta, Matan, Daniel and Neriyah, for how these young Jews touched so many through their pain and heartache. It’s very special that Ashley and Emma chose to be hands-on in their care of others.”
The Birenbaum sisters, with passion for all who survived the Oct. 7 attacks, the souls that were lost and the plight of those remaining hostage at the forefront, have joined family members in Run 4 Their Lives, a Sunday ritual for their mother. The local chapter was founded by their aunt Pamela Goldminz and Colette Lipszyc. The Birenbaum family is also responsible for posters of the hostages which have bordered Anshai Torah’s exterior, now needing to be replaced a second time after damage due to scorching temperatures.
The girls live with enthusiasm for all they take part in. Both are members of National Junior Honor Society, they participate in Renner’s varsity A Cappella Treble Choir, they enjoy CAT’s Hebrew School program and they are both excited about joining BBYO this year. They have volunteered at the Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas Food Pantry and at Lovepacs Plano, which provides meals during school holidays for schoolchildren receiving free and reduced lunch meals. Ashley plays midfielder for the Plano Premier League’s Legacy United soccer team and Emma is a gold-level gymnast at Texas Dynamix.
“We are so proud of the girls and appreciate how much and how hard they care,” said their father, Todd. “They have busy lives, but are committed and dedicated, not just in this ‘moment’ of their b’not mitzvah, but for long after.”
The girls will read Parashat Noach during their simcha. The portion tells the story of Noah and his ark, of the animals two-by-two taken to safety and surviving the flood over all the land. It ends with God’s creation of a rainbow, His covenant that He’d never again destroy the world in such a manner.
The rainbow is a sign of beauty after so much loss. The Birenbaum girls, together in the wake of tragedy, shine brightly as examples for one and all.
For more information, email todd@thebirenbaums.com; to order bracelets, Venmo $18 to @Todd-birenbaum. Local pickup is free, with shipping available for $10.
