In the midst of escalating conflict, an Israeli family living in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County prepared to return to their homeland as their son’s condition got worse.
People living along 4th street say the Safreis brightened their lives. The Israeli family of 6 moved to Central PA in September so their son, Muli, could receive proper care in Hershey for his neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer.
Rabbi Akiva Males, of Kesher Israel, says, “They were in close consultation with the medical team and understood their son’s condition was worsening and the family did everything to prepare for it.”
Early Tuesday morning, Rabbi Males received a call Muli lost his battle. he says, “The little fellow, after a heroic battle against cancer, he finally put up his best and the cancer had won.”
Rabbi Males helped the family travel to JFK International Airport to board an El Al flight back home. In the Jewish faith, burial is intended to take place within 24 hours of a death, if possible. That’s why the family returned to Israel so quickly.
Males says, “I was able to let them know he was handled with absolute dignity and respect and care and love.”
The terror in Israel did not tarnish the family’s dignity. Neighbor Susan Leviton says, “It was home, it was home, they were here for a purpose and needed to go home.”
And the Safrei’s presence in the community will not be forgotten. Leviton says, “Their leaving left a hold in the block and we will hold them in our hearts.”
Rabbi Males says the family safely returned to Israel. He said EL AL is redirecting flights on a pattern that avoids the hostilities taking place around Gaza. Muli was laid to rest Wednesday.