Security
It's been an interesting weekend. Our house just four days on the market received an offer Sunday afternoon. We approved. Though sad to leave what's become so secure and certain as home, Josh before bedtime asserted "this is good for us."
It has been a tough weekend in Israel. Rockets, sirens, casualties and mayhem. I'm on two WhatsApp groups. One, ladies making aliyah 2019 discussed T-shirt orders and arranging flights. The other, reconnecting with seminary classmates displayed anxiety and concern.
Talk about polar opposites.
I didn't go to shul this past shabbat. Partially the weather, stroller frame left in the car, exhaustion and fear. I kissed my children goodbye and let them go to shul. But I myself was afraid.
Saturday night we managed an hour without the kids at a bar mitzvah. There were two armed cops standing by the doorway, surveying everyone that walked through the door.
I learned that our shul, which has had congregants volunteer as shmira, will now also up its game.
This all made me think a great deal about security -- not just within the own realm of our home but around us. My aunt, who lives in Haifa, noted "it's been like this already for 100 years" (imagine much more, depending how far you go back). I began to list in my head all the folks I know in Israel who have managed to live there and without being victims of terror (my uncle has a bullet wound from one of the wars -- but he's mighty proud!)
Last week I spoke to my son about the Holocaust (he was terrified after what he learned at school, without our knowledge) I reminded him of his 94 year old great grandmother who survived. He told me he's afraid of the Palestinians. We discussed what happened after the Holocaust to the establishment of the State of Israel. I learned that history is a blur to him, since he thought Israel has been ours since the time of the bible. Though he's 7 going on 8 and tries so hard to understand, the history of Israel and our people is rather convoluted. So I told him, Israel provides more certainty. And I truly believe it does.
Whereas the US seems behind is securing its schools, supermarkets and religious institutions, it is comforting, if not encouraging that Israel has its own defense system. An army. Iron Dome. Intelligence units. As I went to bed last night and overheard a plane, I had no idea if it was a usual sound or could be something else. I imagine the same sounds happen in Israel, yet you know there's support behind you.
Food for thought.
It has been a tough weekend in Israel. Rockets, sirens, casualties and mayhem. I'm on two WhatsApp groups. One, ladies making aliyah 2019 discussed T-shirt orders and arranging flights. The other, reconnecting with seminary classmates displayed anxiety and concern.
Talk about polar opposites.
I didn't go to shul this past shabbat. Partially the weather, stroller frame left in the car, exhaustion and fear. I kissed my children goodbye and let them go to shul. But I myself was afraid.
Saturday night we managed an hour without the kids at a bar mitzvah. There were two armed cops standing by the doorway, surveying everyone that walked through the door.
I learned that our shul, which has had congregants volunteer as shmira, will now also up its game.
This all made me think a great deal about security -- not just within the own realm of our home but around us. My aunt, who lives in Haifa, noted "it's been like this already for 100 years" (imagine much more, depending how far you go back). I began to list in my head all the folks I know in Israel who have managed to live there and without being victims of terror (my uncle has a bullet wound from one of the wars -- but he's mighty proud!)
Last week I spoke to my son about the Holocaust (he was terrified after what he learned at school, without our knowledge) I reminded him of his 94 year old great grandmother who survived. He told me he's afraid of the Palestinians. We discussed what happened after the Holocaust to the establishment of the State of Israel. I learned that history is a blur to him, since he thought Israel has been ours since the time of the bible. Though he's 7 going on 8 and tries so hard to understand, the history of Israel and our people is rather convoluted. So I told him, Israel provides more certainty. And I truly believe it does.
Whereas the US seems behind is securing its schools, supermarkets and religious institutions, it is comforting, if not encouraging that Israel has its own defense system. An army. Iron Dome. Intelligence units. As I went to bed last night and overheard a plane, I had no idea if it was a usual sound or could be something else. I imagine the same sounds happen in Israel, yet you know there's support behind you.
Food for thought.
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