Victim of Bomb Blast in Israel Recovering

On March 20, 2008, Ami lifted the lid of a Purim basket left anonymously at the Ortiz’s family apartment. A bomb hidden inside the basket exploded. Blinded by explosion, Ami was rushed to the hospital covered with blood and burns. His body had been blasted with the needles and screws contained in the bomb. The doctors told his mother, Leah, that Ami was “Anush.” “Literally, in Hebrew it means the spirit is leaving the body,” she said.

Now, 20 months later, Ami (16) is back in school and playing basketball. And, last week on Nov 12, Jack Teitel, the man that police say committed the crime, was indicted for attempted murder. Little is known about Teitel but one thing is certain – he believes he was acting in accordance with the will of God.

In spite of all the pain that the Ortiz family has gone through, Leah said she has seen much good come from the tragedy, including miraculous healings. She said that the bombing has helped soften the opinion of people in Israel toward Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah promised by the Jewish prophets.

Howard Bass, a leader of a Messianic congregation in Beer Sheva, Israel, isn’t so sure. “It’s not that simple,” he said, adding that such attacks may help tolerant people to eschew violence, but that others will actually be encouraged by the bombings.

Regardless of what happens in court, members of the Ortiz family say they have forgiven Teitel. David Ortiz, Ami’s father, hopes one day to sit down face-to-face with Teitel and talk. He said he hopes Teitel will become another Apostle Paul.
via Open Doors newsletter