12/16/2025
Manar and I met virtually, 12/26/25.
It was a very humble introduction. I had started commenting on posts about Gaza, just praying for the people - usually children - I saw pictured. I assume it was one of these comments that prompted to reach out to me and ask me for help.
She told me she had four boys and a husband…her boys are a similar age to mine (13, 10, 8 and 5). I dared to ask how she was doing, and she dared to answer honestly.
And now we have talked nearly daily for almost a year. She is only 32 but her tone is so kind, so considerate, so grounded, so elegant, so wise. She was one of the first people I reached out to when my mother died. I speak with her boys, her husband. We laugh, we joke, we share pictures and videos. She is a constant source of emotional and spiritual support to me, and I try to be to her. We hold hands in the darkness, and whisper words of comfort to each other.
Last week the unimaginable happened: Manar has been given the opportunity to evacuate Gaza with her family through ANERA. Most likely they will be sent to Italy, and have the chance at a new life. It is truly a miracle, and everything we have prayed for.
In order to evacuate they simply need $1350 for passports. So little for such a huge, utterly incredible opportunity. To this end I will be raffling off a $300 credit with me for product or treatment of choice.
Raffle entries are $20 for a single entry, $35 for three, $50 for five. Venmo me at -Shostak with your name, contribution and number of entries, and I will draw a winner Dec 26.
Bespoke Aesthetics is at it’s heart just about healing, person to person. 2025 has been rough for all of us, in ways both huge and small. Please help me to help them by making a donation or buying an entry. If one decent thing comes of 2025, let it be this.
With love,
Adrienne
