Rebitzen Chana Henkin spoke with the media a number of days following the murder of her son and daughter-in-law, Rabbi Eitam and Na’ama Henkin HY”D in a Shomron shooting attack.

In her comments to Yediot Achronot, Rebitzen Henkin recounted her last time spent with the young couple. “I recall that we ate and laughed. Eitam and Na’ama cooked and baked. We had franks, chicken breasts and for dessert there was cake. This is what families do on chol hamoed. We truly enjoyed. We parted at about 4:00 PM. We returned to Jerusalem as Eitam, Na’ama and the children traveled to meet with friends in Elon Moreh. It’s an exceptional group, always remaining in touch with one another since they were teens, 15 and 16-years-old. Each continues his life but they always make sure to meet with one another”.

Rebitzen Henkin, who founded and continues to lead the Nishmat Yeshiva for Advanced Women’s Studies, explains she was in Yerushalayim when she received the bitter news.

“They phoned me. One cannot understand what they are saying. I headed directly to the site of the murder and then to Peduel”.

She explained Na’ama’s mother, Mrs. Hila Armoni took the children home to Peduel from the terror attack location.

Rebitzen Henkin explains that the trauma caused to the children will begin to manifest itself in the coming years. “This is not living without a father or mother for a day, two days, a week or two. They will not see their parents all their lives”.

Mrs. Henkin adds she is well-aware of the magnitude of the mission that awaits her, raising her grandchildren, telling Yediot “We immediately knew that the two families will have to dedicate themselves to the children. They have become everyone’s children, the children of Am Yisrael”.

“We are holding family meetings to decide the best ray to raise them as Eitam and Na’ama would want. They are intelligent children and understand what is going on around them. We are here for them”.

“Little Itamar will not remember the gentle tone of his parents when they tried to stop him from crying. Perhaps Neta, Matan and Nitzan will remember something small. We are here to raise them as close what their parent’s wanted as possible. It is important for me to explain the magnitude of the loss to the family. Am Yisrael also lost significant figures”.

When asked about the recent sharp escalation in Islamic terror, Rebitzen Henkin stated “We are not in favor of personal revenge but calls on nation’s leaders to provide security for residents”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)