The joint journey in Africa: The bereaved mothers who are initiating a moving revolution
After losing their sons in the campaign, five mothers met in Uganda and decided to channel the pain into action. Now, the moving project they established is expanding and will host additional creators who have lost their loved ones.
One journey for resilience in Uganda, one jeep on winding roads, and five mothers carrying the heaviest burden the human soul can hold: parting with a child who fell in the campaign. There, far from the familiar, Michal Benjamin, Zohar Sofer Azulay, Sharon Ben Zvi, Sharon Baruch, and Sigal Harush found not only partners in fate, but also an anchor of comfort and true partnership. When they returned to Israel, it turned out that the bond formed in Africa was stronger than any distance, and instead of sinking into silence and pain, they chose to channel the abyss that opened in their lives toward action, creation, and life.
From this connection, the "Bereaved Mothers Creating" fair was born, a moving project where grief, memory, and immense longing are transformed into beautiful handmade creations. For the five mothers, creativity has over time become a space that allows them to do, to meet, and to find moments of breathing within the pain. The fair connects the personal worlds that each of them has built with the shared story created between them following the loss, and offers unique, handmade items from each of the participants.
Behind every stall, piece of art, or product sold at the fair stand five stories of heroism of sons who were cut down prematurely. Michal commemorates her son, Captain (res.) Nir Benjamin, who fell in the southern Gaza Strip; Zohar commemorates Sergeant Major (res.) Itay Azulay, who fell on the Lebanese border; Sharon Ben Zvi commemorates her son, Staff Sergeant Ido Ben Zvi, who fell in the northern Gaza Strip; Sharon Baruch commemorates Captain Ido Baruch, who fell in the southern Gaza Strip; and Sigal commemorates Sergeant Reef Harush, who also fell in the southern Gaza Strip. The memory of the fallen is the driving spirit behind the project, and all profits from the fair are dedicated entirely to their commemoration.
Following the success of the first fair, the initiative is becoming a tradition and opening its arms wide. The second fair will host 12 bereaved mothers who lost their loved ones in the battles of the war and in the Nova party disaster, who will offer the fruits of their labor for sale. The event will take place on Friday, September 4, 2026, between 09:30 and 13:00 at the Nina Center in Herzliya, and admission is open to the general public. Other bereaved mothers interested in taking part in the initiative and setting up a stall at future events are invited to contact Michal Benjamin at 050-8642414.
