While I boarded my El-Al flight last week, holding on to Chana and a bag full of toys, books and food, I couldn’t help but think of what I was leaving behind. Just one day earlier a terrorist had blown himself up near a busy gax station in Ariel killing three soldiers and wounding many others. As always after a terror attack rumors and speculations of who was murdered spread like wildfire to the ears of those not yet ready to believe. For a long while the exact number of those murdered was unclear.
One of the bodies was confirmed after several hours, to be that of Ami Chasid, a resident of Kfar Tapuach, the community near us. One of my neighbors, heading the emergency committee of the community was in charge of organizing the funeral and making sure that the family was being properly taken care of. Although receiving as much community support as possible, the trauma and pain that Ami’s young widow and little children are having to endure is heartbreaking. So too is the pain of the other two families. Mordechai attended the funeral of another of the victims, a young soldier from Itamar, while I stayed home with Chana. After the funerals the families each began their week of mourning (sitting shiva). Now it would be time for those who had been visited by so many while mourning their own dead to repay the “shiva call” and console another victimized family.
As I boarded the jumbo jet, I almost felt like a traitor. Although I was looking forward to seeing my family, how could I leave my neighbors and home at this time, a time when I should be standing firmly and proudly on my land?
While here in the United States, I hear about “back home” from friends eager to share the latest news and, of course, right from the source while talking to Mordechai (”Aba”) once a day. Although one doesn’t generally call home to talk politics it’s a little unavoidable when living in Isael. Just over the few days that I have been away the Israeli government has undergone some major changes. Minister of Defense, Ben Eliezer (Fuad), who ordered the uprooting of several strongholds which were established after the murders of innocent civilians by Arab terrorists, is no longer part of the government. Likewise, Shimon Perez, is no longer Foreign Minister. I, as many of the Jewish Nation, pray that this new government will protect the rights of the Jewish homeland instead of protecting those of our enemies.
Thousands of miles across the sea, I am seeing the view from the U.S. While talking to a man in a Kosher kiosk whose son is presently learning in Israel, I was made aware that just today a terrorist bomber killed one and wounded many more in a shopping center. He said that every time there is a terror attack in Israel he fears the safety of his son. Since I am used to getting phone calls after attacks and reassuring my family members that we are O.K. I tried to console him. Truthfully, however, although one may be relieved that their loved ones were spared we must always think about those families who weren’t as fortunate and grieve over the murders of our brethren.
I plan to fly back home next week. I can’t wait to see our pretty little caravan and yard, which Mordechai has been diligently taking care of (I hope). I can’t wait to watch the rain fall and hear it hitting the metal roof like a thousand drums. Chana can’t wait to see our dog “Givati”, her little friends and of course the love of her life - ‘Aba’. Till then I hope and pray that we will only hear good news from the Holy Land.
This entry was posted
on Friday, December 6th, 2002 and is filed under series.