Israel

As this article is being written, in Eretz Yisrael it is already Monday afternoon. We already had two full days of work and all the kids went to school and came home - twice! It is now 1:30 p.m. and we need to thank Hashem that the kids all arrived home safely. They are expecting a fresh, hot fleishig lunch, because Israelis eat their main meal in the middle of the day.

In light of the horrific Hamas multipronged terror assault on October 7, which claimed around 1,200 Israeli lives, including the taking of over 230 hostages, the citizens of the Jewish state have found common purpose in defense of their nation.

Last Wednesday, my wife Anita and I joined 100+ volunteers to pack cartons of food for Israeli soldiers. We were picked up by bus at about 7:30 a.m. in Rehovot, a city between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and transported to an Army facility. At the base, we were joined by like-minded individuals from Modi’in and Ra’anana, two cities in central Israel. Everyone was eager to contribute, and the common language was English even though the supervising staff were young Israelis. Most volunteers were in their 70s with the oldest being 94 - a “young at heart” new immigrant from South Africa.

Since the Massacre of October 7, over 200 Israelis have been held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza strip.  To bring attention to these hostages, posters have been plastered all over major cities to raise awareness of the atrocities and crimes committed by terrorists.  Supporters of these barbarians, however, have made it their business to rip down posters of babies, women, the elderly, and all other hostages because they do not think that the lives of these hostages are worthwhile because they are Jews.

A full month has passed since the horrible attacks by Hamas against Israel, which led us into this war. I know in America, Halloween has passed, and everyone is now gearing up for Thanksgiving, and the Holiday season. It’s kind of like an alternate reality over here, like we living are on two different planets. We are still reeling from the shock and aftereffects of last month, in mourning, as well as being in a full-blown war.

Israel believes Hamas could potentially locate some 30 more mothers and children and that the 4-day halt could be extended by extra day per each 10 Israeli hostages freed

By Jacob Magid And Tal Schneider (www.timesofisrael.com)