A few months ago, Lizzy Savetsky was giving out poppies on the street in New York. Just single blooms on a stem, but city folk are wary of strangers offering anything for free because there is always a catch. And there was.
Lizzy’s flower came with a plea to be heard. Just a few precious minutes in which she could talk about the hostages in Gaza and provide some facts about Israel that have been drowned out by protests. Like so many initiatives by the long-time Israel activist, this too went viral.
A masterstroke by a woman who has been desperate to bring clarity to the plight of Israelis stolen since October 7, with the hope of adjusting the balance of support. 5 View gallery Actvisit Lizzy Savetsky in campaign mode for Israel ( Photo: Jewish News ) “There were several people who rejected my flower once they heard the word ‘hostages’,” says Lizzy. “They would not even engage.
I started to question the purpose of the experiment. But a conversation with a random passer-by changed me.” The embrace with that passer-by is available to view on @lizzysavetsky.
“It’s what happens when we’re willing to let down our guards and open our hearts and minds.” On October 7, Lizzy and her family were in a bomb shelter at Jerusalem’s King David Hotel. They had evacuated to the basement but, as Orthodox Jews, their phones were off for Shabbat, so they gathered unaware of what had occurred.
5 View gallery Lizzy gives a flower to inform ( Photo: Jewish News ) “There was.