Hannah is many things—a devoted mother, a fierce advocate, and a strong Jewish woman. But to me, she is the woman who changed everything at the start of my motherhood journey.

After a traumatic birth, I was overwhelmed, struggling to breastfeed, and grieving the experience I had imagined. Hannah stepped in—without judgment, without hesitation. She visited me, supported me, and showed me grace when I couldn’t give it to myself. She gave me the gift of bonding with my son—the very thing I feared I had lost. I will forever be grateful for her compassion, guidance, and unwavering presence during one of the most vulnerable times of my life.

On October 7, 2023, that same loving woman—who has poured so much light into others—faced unthinkable darkness. Her beloved son, Dr. Hayim Katsman, was killed in the Hamas terrorist attack on Kibbutz Holit while saving a neighbor’s life. Hayim was not only a scholar of religion and politics but also a gardener, a DJ, and a fierce advocate for peace and coexistence. He worked tirelessly to bridge divides, listened deeply, and planted seeds of understanding.

In the face of unimaginable grief, Hannah has chose compassion over hate. To honour her son's legacy, she and her family are building a Sustainability Center in Rahat, a Bedouin-Israeli city where Hayim taught Hebrew and helped establish community gardens. The center—featuring greenhouses, classrooms, and a recycling space—will promote education in ecology, conservation, and coexistence.

This is more than a building. It is a living tribute to a life devoted to peace, and a mother’s strength to transform her son’s dream into reality.

If you know me, you know I’m not political. But this is not about politics. It’s about humanity. It’s about honouring the woman who gave me the start I dreamed of as a mother, by helping her carry forward the dreams of her son.

Please join me in supporting Hannah and the Katsman family as they continue to spread light in Hayim’s name.

May we all remember to hold our loved ones a little tighter,
Karen