Style & Living

The chupah was in progress when a red alert siren pierced the air. Guests looked at each other, unsure of what to do. A few people moved quickly. Others hesitated. Most stayed in place, watching the Iron Dome’s interception light up the sky above. Despite the momentary tension, the wedding continued as planned.

In an age often driven by speed and innovation, the voices of the elderly can become quieted or forgotten. About 1.2 million citizens, who are aged 65 and over, live in Israel today, making up 12 percent of the population. Many of these citizens face isolation and loneliness. In response, many initiatives have emerged to reconnect generations, restore dignity, and enhance the quality of life for older adults. The following highlights just a few of these inspiring efforts.

Yishai*, who lost his arm in an accident, continues to pursue his love of the guitar by playing notes with his remaining hand and strumming using a foot-operated device. Dani* lost all five fingers of his dominant hand in a snowstorm in Nepal. As an accountant, he spends a lot of time on the computer. A specially designed glove with a 3D-printed “finger” enables him to type just as quickly as someone without a disability.

Every year, the official state ceremony marking the end of Yom HaZikaron and the beginning of Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) takes place on Har Herzl in Yerushalayim. The Speaker of the Knesset officiates at this nationally televised event, which is attended by government ministers, members of the Knesset, IDF commanders and veterans, diplomats, and selected citizens.

On January 22, 2024, Galit Vizel’s world changed in a single moment. She was resting at home when she heard the dreaded knock on the door that no family ever wants to hear. IDF representatives came to deliver heartbreaking news: Her husband Elkanah was among 19 soldiers killed in Gaza when Hamas fired an RPG at the building they were in, causing it to collapse. At just 35, Elkanah left behind a wife, four children, his parents, and seven siblings, including a twin.

As I took my last bite of entrecote steak at a wedding smorgasbord, the question I had pondered earlier in the day became a reality: What if a siren blared during the festivities? Moments later, it did. The siren’s familiar, foreboding sound echoed. It wasn’t that it came as a surprise. We have been hearing sirens almost daily. It wasn’t a question of if, but when.