In the Jewish tradition, we are taught that one of the greatest ways to honor those we have lost is through acts of chesed (kindness that brings healing and hope to others). That belief is at the heart of an extraordinary new project taking shape here in Colorado.

 

As a Jewish mother raising two young boys in Denver, the story of Shiri Bibas, 32, and her sons, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 9 months old, shook me to my core. Like so many Jewish parents around the world, I followed their story with hope, praying they would come home safely. When we learned they would not, the grief was immeasurable. The fact that they were strangled to death by their captors in Gaza shortly after they had been taken hostage on October 7, 2023 because they would not stop crying, stole the breath of the global Jewish community who hoped so hard to see those gorgeous red-haired babies play in the sun again. Their loss became deeply personal for our entire community and serves as a painful reminder of both the fragility of life and the resilience of the Jewish people.

 

Inspired by their memory, four Colorado mothers, Efrat Ben-Shitrit, Aliza Scheier, Danit Damari, and Alyce Blum, whom I admire deeply, launched a campaign to completely renovate the pediatric playroom at Denver Health. Their vision is simple yet profound: transform a place often associated with fear and uncertainty into one filled with imagination, comfort, and joy for thousands of children and their families. Among the many renovations will be  butterfly motifs and a plaque to honor the Bibas boys. 

 

The project is spearheaded by Efrat, who was born and raised in Israel and now lives in Denver.  As the mother of a baby close in age to Kfir, she struggled to process the tragedy after learning about their murder. Rather than allowing grief to consume her, she and three other mothers chose to create something beautiful in the Bibas family’s memory: a living legacy that will bring comfort to children for generations.

 

Denver Health cares for more than 50,000 children each year from every background, faith, and circumstance. The newly imagined playroom will provide moments of normalcy, creativity, and healing during some of life’s most difficult moments. More than a renovation, it will stand as a daily reminder that even after profound loss, compassion and hope can endure. Alyce Blum says, “We want to thank Denver Health and the Denver Health Foundation for their partnership on what will undoubtedly be a beautiful and meaningful space for all children.”

 

At StandWithUs, our mission is to educate about Israel and combat antisemitism by building understanding, inspiring people to speak out, and strengthening connections to the Jewish people. This project beautifully reflects that mission by transforming the story of a Jewish family whose names have touched hearts around the world into a lasting act of kindness that serves every child who walks through Denver Health’s doors, regardless of background or belief.

 

This is not a political project. It is a profoundly human one. It reminds us that even when hatred seeks to destroy innocence, we can choose to answer with healing, hope, and compassion.

 

These mothers have already raised more than $50,000 of the proposed $260,000 needed. Together, we can ensure that the memories of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas live on, not only in our hearts, but in the laughter of children, the comfort of families, and a space dedicated to healing for generations to come. 

 

Donations can be made on the link below towards the project: