Both before and during the Passover Holiday this year, a dark cloud of mourning lingered over the festive atmosphere. Almost every day news of at least one terror attack swept through the country. Listening at least once a day to the hourly news has become something you do in order to share in the pain of others. However, a ray of light shone through last Friday when 20,000 military reserves were called up to enter Ramallah, Bethleham, etc. in order to route out weapons and wanted terrorists. During the holiday men from all over the country left their families and friends to serve their country and people. Of course, several men from Kfar Darom are among them.
As to life here in Kfar Darom, things are relatively quiet. Our neighbors, the super market owners, closed their regular market and opened up a Passover market in the old nursery facility to fill the needs of all of the members of the community. In addition, they kept their pizza shop opened every evening for community members who were too busy cleaning for Passover to cook. One of the families (new to Kfar Darom) was busy moving into their new home. They are the first family to move into the newly built neighborhood on the southern side of the community.
In addition to being busy cleaning and preparing for the holiday, many of the community members who work for the Alei-Katif insect-free vegetable company, were busier than ever sending the famous bug free lettuce all over the world. The farmers were harvesting their beautiful crop while those working in the packaging plant were busy almost around the clock preparing the produce for shipping and local distribution. I babysat for several babies whose mothers’ work as accountants and secretaries for the company. Through all of the frenzy, they, too, had to work till a day before Passover. We watched truck load after truck load of lettuce leave the community. I felt happy and excited to know that Jews all over the world would merit to eat the produce of the Holy land grown here in Kfar Darom.
Tonight is the last night of Passover - the Holy-day of Redemption. Tomorrow night, the families whose loved ones were brutally murdered by Arabs during this holiday, will start their period of mourning. It is shorter than the regular seven day period of mourning since one may not mourn on a holiday. Family, friends and maybe even strangers who just want to show that they care will come to comfort them. After having mourned, wept and talked endlessly about the deceased, they will rise and eventually continue rebuilding their lives. We know, however, that the pain will never leave them… the memories… the longing to say good bye one last time.
On the first night of Passover the Jewish Nation called out in unison “Next Year in Jerusalem.” During this Passover, with Israeli troops entering terrorist cities to rid them of their weapons, etc. we have moved one step closer to security. While Arafat and all of the Arab statesmen throughout the Middle East denounce Israel and once again call for it’s destruction, leaving the scent of a war lingering in the air, Israel only gets stronger and will get stronger yet. So as G-d promised His people, may it be soon that we celebrate in the rebuilt city of Jerusalem.
This entry was posted
on Sunday, April 7th, 2002 and is filed under series.