Alyson Ilene Kaplan was a 20-year old American student murdered in London while traveling in Europe during a winter break. The circumstances of her death brought to light serious gaps in safety for any traveler, from any country, and particularly young students in unfamiliar surroundings. As a result of a record winter storm that halted transportation throughout London for an entire night, the bus that Alyson was traveling on National Express Coach, which was headed for Heathrow and then on to Bristol, with over 50 other passengers aboard, simply stopped and all of the passengers were instructed off the bus at a metro station in the worst of the storm in the middle of outer London. Alyson was forced to take the only available subway to Victoria station, instead of continuing on with her prepaid planned route to Bristol. No trains, taxis, public or private transportation were running.
Stranded, unfamiliar with London, and waiting for transit, Alyson was befriended initially by what turned out to be a murderer deliberately hunting a victim, and was killed.
The foundation is to serve two purposes. In the memory of Alyson Ilene Kaplan, who loved animals, the foundation will support other Section 501(c)(3) organizations whose stated purposes are to further wildlife preservation and to further environmental safety.
In addition, the foundation will be committed to reducing risks for young travelers abroad. Specifically, the foundation will provide information relating to safe travel means in foreign countries, including easy access to telephone help lines in all languages, easy access to embassy assistance, “safe” shelter in close proximity to public transportation and popular youth destinations, and better screening for student short stay housing. The foundation has established a website in the memory of Alyson Ilene Kaplan: www.alysonkaplan.com.
Excerpt from Rabbi Gary Johnson's remarks at the Valley Oaks Cemetery; Getting Through the Holidays December 9, 2003
We who are here this evening have suffered a loss during the past Year. One year ago I was to have spoken at this program but was Informed of my brother passing away the same day. So here I am a Year later; also grieving for the loss of a dear relative; But Tonight, I am able to participate in this service of healing and comfort.
Jewish teaching implores us to not be alone. When we are grieving We are to surround ourselves with family and friends and activities to Help us, support us, and comfort us during our most difficult moments of Grief.
As time passes from the funeral...we need to begin to heal our Broken heart. A great rabbi of the 19th century taught: The only whole Person is the one with a broken heart.
This does not mean that everyone with a broken heart is a whole Person...but that if we do find a purpose, some special meaning, or way To honor our relative...we can begin to heal ourselves while we are Helping others. When one who has suffered a loss finds the strength to Help others...that person becomes a ^whole person." Those who have Not suffered pain. -. Those who do not know the suffering of others are Lacking in certain important ways. We do not wish to suffer pain—but Neither do we need to let it conquer us. When we can turn our pain Into being more compassionate...more understanding of others, more Helpful to others...we are on our way to becoming a whole person. We cannot do anything to change the fact that we are a Mourner...that our beloved relative has been taken from us; but we Can control how we will respond to this personal tragedy. If we must Suffer. -. Let us turn our suffering into service. Let us turn our suffering Into significance. Let us honor the memory of our beloved by helping Others.
Let us use our unique talents to find the most appropriate way to Keep the memory of our beloved one alive so that their life and legacy Will be one of service and inspiration to others.