By: Judy Goldstein, Associate Director of Camper Care
One of the big questions (with answers) we have these days in Israeli society is how to maximize our personal and social resilience during this time of our “emergency routine” here in Israel. If you come to Israel and go to a mall now, you will not necessarily “feel” the war, besides posters of hostages and flag decorations. However, people who are not displaced or in the army look like they are trying to live their lives as best as possible.
One of the discussions we have is that each person needs to do the best they can, so if watching Netflix and talking to a friend is all you can do, that’s great! But the point is, we need to be active.
On the 7th of October, between sirens, preparing to eat pancakes then go to Shul, my husband was called to the reserves, still not understanding what we were looking at.
Life was put on hold – Luckily for the busy parents among us who have little kids, we had to come up with the art of distraction and calming. After schools came back to working, I felt I needed to give back, to help with the modest tools I have to offer between my hands and planning an activity.
I spoke to so many people that felt the same. We could not enlist to help in the army, everyone for their own reason, but we wanted to do “SOMETHING.” It started out when someone said, “let’s bring soldiers food for Shabbat.” I started baking Challot with my daughter, which turned into a tradition for the months to come; then driving to give them out to the soldiers. But I felt I needed to do more.
I decided to go every week on a different mission for our organization, with a former member of the URJ family.
Currently, there is a major shortage in Israel of working hands in agriculture. We joined a pre-army program (some of the kids were on Yallah! Israel as joining Israeli teens) to pick cherry tomatoes on farms. I don’t know if you have ever gardened; it is something that I do not get to do too much, but the feeling is sensational. There is something very meditative, relaxing, and humbling about it. You think about how much work is put into getting that delicious caprese salad to your plate. Every tomato needs to be picked and packed with care.
Working with the young Israelis who are about to be drafted into the IDF at a time of war was so inspiring. Eighteen-year-olds who just want to give, to do “SOMETHING.” Many of them will be protecting my family and myself in a matter of months, some joining the front lines. I pray they will take care.
Another project I was able to join was for a woman named Tamar, who prepares sandwiches every day for wounded soldiers in the hospital and hospital staff. Her neighbors are the ones who deliver the sandwiches before they go to work. While handing out the sandwiches and chatting with the inspiring young soldiers, you start to hear cute stories between the soldiers themselves and those delivering, and planning to go on dates after they get out.
Another project I was able to take part in is called “the Joint War-Room, a Partnered Destiny.” It is a project that takes place in the Bedouin city of Rahat where Jews and Bedouins (who were also kidnapped and murdered on October 7th) come together to pack packages for those in need in the Jewish and Bedouin communities. Working side by side, they say, is a healing experience for all.
Last but not least, I would like to share about going to the Dead Sea where many communities from the Gaza envelope have been residing since October 7th in the hotels there. Far away in the tranquil desert overlooking the Dead Sea, we planned an activity for kids aged 5-10 from Sderot. We were having so much fun; they were so grateful and amazing kids. It’s hard not to think about what they went through.
All this to say that the Israeli people inspire me. You see all these things that are being said on the news, and when you work with the people, seeing how invested they are to help one another, to do “something,” I feel proud of the people I live amongst and overwhelmed that the value of “giving” and taking care of one another is so much stronger than any other feelings that come up.
