Tragedy struck Asael Shabo, when he was 10 years old, in 2002. He was at home with his three brothers, Nerya, 15, Tzvika, 12, and Avishai, 5, and his mother. It was a cool summer night, he and his brothers were watching TV, while his mom cleaned the kitchen.
At the same time a Palestinian terrorist was about to burst through the doors of their home, shattering his life forever. The terrorist murdered Asael’s brothers, and his beloved mother. Asael was badly hurt, but played dead behind the couch and waited for soldiers to rescue him. “I knew Avishai died, because I heard him stop crying,” said Asael.
Asael lived through the attack, but his leg had to be amputated. He thought he would never be able to do the things he loved again.
Rocky Muravitz and Guy Salomon from the Tikvot-Etgarim project helped Asael deal with the emotional and physical trauma through extreme physical sport. “Today I am involved in many sports. I swim, water ski, sail, cycle, play soccer and basketball,” said Asael with a smile.
In January, I participated in the Yeshivah of Flatbush Chesed Mission trip to Israel were we volunteered with the Tikvot-Etgarim project, mountain biking with terror victims. It was there that I met Guy. He told me that he wanted to come to NY in May to raise $70,000 to buy Asael a prosthetic leg. I told him to give me a call and I would help him.
Guy called me the week before Passover and told me he was coming with Asael the week after the holiday. I told him that I would help as much as I could.
I quickly assembled my “chesed team:” Teddy Chatah, Barbarah Maleh, Joyce Franco, and Aline Elmann. At our first meeting, I suggested a soccer tournament to raise money. We called everyone we knew and raised around $10,000 in sponsorships. We also received donations of shirts, equipment, and food, which greatly reduced our overhead costs.
We needed a location but the tournament was three weeks away and it takes 30 days for the Parks Department to process a permit request and all the major indoor and outdoor fields were reserved. Norman, from Stormin’s Sports, called the parks commissioner every day until he finally gave me the field I wanted. The date was set for May 8th, Yom Haatzmaut, at Steeplechase Beach Park. The tournament was called SAVE!: Soccer and Volleyball 4 Etgarim.
We signed up over 70 boys to play soccer but dozens of girls wanted to play, so Barbara, Joyce, and Aline arranged a volleyball tournament on the beach adjacent to the park. In the first week they signed up over 60 girls.
The day arrived and it was beautiful outside. Over 200 teenagers came to participate. The tournament started at noon, because on Yom Haatzmaut most schools get out early.
One parent provided a bus, considering it his donation. The bus left packed with kids from Yeshivah of Flatbush HS.
The fences at Steeplechase Beach Park were decorated with Israeli flags and banners donated by City Signs. We had an emotional ceremony where Asael spoke and thanked everyone for coming. Then, unbelievably, with just one leg, Asael played soccer and scored many goals!
We raised over $30,000 and with the help of private donations we made the call to order the prosthetic leg. The following week we drove out to A Step Ahead Prosthetic Center and he was fitted for his new limb.
When he arrived home, at the airport in Israel, there were two major TV stations waiting to talk with him and the next day he was on the front cover of Yediot Achronot, Israel’s largest daily newspaper.
Asael wrote me a letter, which he asked me to share with everyone who helped him realize his dream.
To all my new friends,
Two weeks ago I crossed the ocean with one dream—to walk on my two legs again, as I used to walk before my life changed. On May 20th, I landed in Israel and walked toward my father on my own, leaving my crutches behind.
You all helped me realize my dream and by that you became like family to me and to the Tikvot-Etgarim Team.
Hope to see you again in Israel or on my next visit.
Asael Shabo
Asael is now training and plans to run in the London Olympics in 2012. He is a truly amazing young man.
Thank you to all our sponsors and to everyone who made donations. You gave Asael a new life to look forward to.
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Charlie Shrem graduated from Yeshivah of Flatbush high school this past May.
