The Vankert family is appealing to the public to purchase holiday wines from their family business, after family member Omar, 23 years old, was kidnapped to Gaza from the Nuva party. Omar, who was about to start studying restaurant management, was a wine lover and was supposed to start his studies soon.
Since Omar’s kidnapping on October 7, his parents, Shai and Niva Vankert, have experienced severe financial difficulties following the shutdown of the family business. They managed to raise NIS 300,000 through crowdfunding, but still need additional support. “We save the good wines for the day Omar returns,” they said.
Shay Vankert, who imports and markets quality wines from boutiques and imports from Europe, together with family and friends, is working diligently to get his son back in any way possible. Niva and Shai, Omer’s parents, who described him as a restaurant manager who loves music, dancing and drinking wine, appeal to the public: “If you plan to purchase wine for the holiday or want to help, please support our business in the hope of Omer’s return soon.”
“We are on the mission of our lives 24/7 to rescue Omar from captivity and bring him home. We own a boutique wineries marketing business whose activity has almost stopped since October 7. Throughout all the weeks that have passed, we have asked friends, family and all the people of Israel to raise a glass at Friday meals to Omar’s life and his return home. Now we ask that the wine in the glass be ours. We would be happy to receive your support and prayers for the speedy return of our abductees,” the parents wrote in their appeal to the public.
