Greetings and Shabbat Shalom from Tel Aviv. Many thanks to those of you who have reached out in concern after last night’s drone attack on Tel Aviv by the Houthis. Not only are we fine, but I didn’t even learn about the attack until I was on the beach in close proximity to where it took place with a friend and his children.
That is the spirit of this place—the challenges are acknowledged and addressed but life goes on. It is rather remarkable to see. I’ll have more to share on this and much more when I return, including experiencing that same resilience at a Shlomo Artzi concert outside Jerusalem last night.
Photos: Israeli “national treasure” Shlomo Artzi outside Jerusalem last night in a beautiful concert punctuated by a tribute to a fallen IDF soldier, calls to release the hostages and some pointed criticism of the current government.
In the meantime, I wanted to share some thoughts from another friend and TSTI member who participated in the Greater MetroWest Federation Solidarity Mission earlier this month. Steve and Tammy Weinfeld were among those who came for the five-day mission. Like me, Steve was struck by the incredible resilience of our community in Israel that allows them to acknowledge the pain, loss, and trauma while also holding on to the hope for normalcy and, God-willing, peace.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Daniel Cohen
From Steve Weinfeld:
We were privileged to be participants of an important mission to Israel during the first week of July.
The mission was lead and organized by the greater metro West Federation. I wanted to share a few thoughts about our experience.
The mission to Israel left me with two diametrically opposed feelings: Anger and Hope.
It made me angry to see the destruction and brutality that was brought upon innocent civilians in Israel along the border with Gaza. It made me angry to think about the protesters in our country who have no idea of the horrors that were perpetrated by the terrorists from Gaza.
It made me angry to see the faces of all the young people slaughtered at the Nova party site. Young people who will never have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. It made me angry to see all the displaced Israelis, who no longer can live in their homes in the north and unable to return to their homes in the south. It made me angry that the Israeli government does not make more of an effort to show the world the destruction that was perpetrated upon them.
Along with the anger, there was hope.
It was hopeful to see the young Israelis in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, enjoying time out at restaurants and bars as if nothing had happened. With the exception of the posters of the hostages that were exhibited along every block, one would have no idea of the trauma these citizens had faced.
It made me hopeful when we met with Hersh Goldberg’s parents, as devastated as they are given that their son is still in captivity, they are still able to feel compassion for innocent Palestinians in this conflict.
It made me hopeful when we visited the Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem, that Israelis continue to use their technological skills and ingenuity to prepare for any eventuality. The Hadassah hospital had constructed a fully operational emergency hospital, including an ICU, three stories underground in case of an attack. This hospital was completed within a few weeks of the attack of October 7. It gave me hope seeing the Palestinian nurses caring for Israeli patients at the hospital, as well as Israeli physicians caring for Palestinian patients in that same hospital. It gave me hope to learn that the Arab Israelis, who live side-by-side with Jewish Israelis distanced themselves from the brutal attack perpetrated by Hamas. And finally, it gave me hope to see the IDF soldiers and reservists who could not wait to return to their Combat units to continue the fight.
This was an incredible experience, both heartbreaking and uplifting. Being in Israel at this moment, affirmed my belief that this amazing country will survive despite the unimaginable trauma it has withstood.
