Israel on the 531st of October

Arriving and spending time in Israel since October 7 is not the same as it was in the 100 plus times I have landed here since 1990. There is a great sadness that shows on the faces of people. Many are without hope (politically speaking). The most common word (after sababa) is PTSD. A quarter of a million people who have homes up north after, spending a year and a half in exile, don't feel at home. Will they ever? When you add up the numbers, there are more than 100,000 people who have a family member who was injured, killed or kidnapped - direct, as in child, parent, grandchild. Tens of thousands have a family member who actively fought in Gaza.

Demonstrations are scheduled daily because of a corrupt government that refuses to take responsibility and is headed by a prime minister who spends time in court on multiple charges all while trying to fire anyone who isn't loyal. Looking at the way this government operates, it seems more like a cult than anything by and for the people. And they rob the country of every available budget to benefit a minority of coalition backers.

Don't mistake my point to suggest that Israel shouldn't or doesn't have the right to seek, attack and destroy Hamas. It does. Sadly though (read Times of Israel's David Horowitz) the most recent resumption is (in my opinion and that of many others) not motivated by war goals. It is 100% coalition politics. And all the while 59 people remain in Hamas tunnels and the number of those among them who are alive continues to dwindle. On the main highway that cuts across Tel Aviv we are reminded of those 59 (see picture). When I came back from the Rabin Medical Center, checking on our community's donation, this was the highlight and one positive in an otherwise difficult week so far. To see the appreciation from medical professionals was wonderful and each and every one of you should be proud of what we do. In next week's Bulletin I'll share about my visit of the Upper Galilee, where our contribution already helps Druze Youth in need.

In other news, last night at 3:59 AM a ballistic missile was shot down on its way from Yemen. Its target was the airport. I hope to be on my way back at the end of next week from that very airport. I was on the first United Airlines flight to Tel Aviv in many months and hope that they will not abandon me here if a few more missiles are launched. I was up most of the night and while the alarms in my area did not sound, I could hear them from a distance because I was already up. (Jetlag is a killer but so are missiles.) Think about that. Imagine the idea of waking up in the morning tomorrow to find out that a missile was shot down on its way to Buttonwood Park.

[ Read more in the Bulletin >>> ]

October 7, 2024 Commemoration

HIGH SCHOOL
Trunk of Tolerance Links
Administrator Permission Form | Request to Borrow a Trunk Form | FAQs
Logistics | Student Project Ideas|Evaluation Form|Letter to Parents

MIDDLE SHCOOL
Turnk of Tollerance Links
Administrator Permission Form | Request to Borrow a Trunk Form | FAQs
Logistics | Student Project Ideas|Evaluation Form| Letter to Parents

Be The Support Israel Needs