Day 5 - October 11, 2023 - I Finally Cried

Part 1 -

Day 5 was a hard day.

I think this cartoon that was drawn by a local woman pretty much sums up so many feelings.

It's still hard to internalize all that has actually happened over the past 5 days. It's virtually impossible to come to terms with the sheer brutality of Hamas.

No matter what your political positions or views... the terror that Hamas has rained down on Israel is not phathomable.

The murder of entire sleeping families, rape and torture of women, kidnapping of children and elderly (including Holocaust survivors), decapitation (including babies)... violence that I can't wrap my head around.

Today I finally cried for what started as the most mundanely unfair reasons. I remembered too late (after several days) about the neighbors' bunnies... and one died today of neglect. I felt sick. Awful that I hadn't thought to check before. I knew my neighbor wasn't there. We never spoke about it, but I knew they were there and I could have checked on them sooner.

So after finding a foster home for the remaining bunny and disposing of the one that died... I locked myself in the bathroom and wept.

I finally really let myself weep too. I wept for the bunny, but I really wept for the terror, trauma, and antisemitism a whole new generation of Jews are living through. We feel it. We breathe it with every panicked breath. We feel the heartbreak in the pit of our stomaches as we hug our babies tighter. We weep for the 1200+ Jews murdered by Hamas.

This has awoken the lion of Zion. The Jewish people are united in their resolve, determined in their missions, and ready to show it louder and clearer than ever before.

Never again.

We will not allow our people to be slaughtered without consequence. We now are showing the true strength of the Jewish people. The strength and resolve to eradicate hatred and Hamas.

Am Yisrael Chai.

**

Part 2 -

Many of you have reached out and asked "how can I help?". I've sat with the question trying to come up with the right answer, suggestion, organization. The truth is that although sending money does help, it can sometimes feel impersonal (or hard to pick the right place to donate to).

So here is what I'm thinking for those looking for a more personal option.

As you all know, I'm a teacher in Israel. I would love to hand out care packages to my students here from kids in America. If you and your children want to make cards of hope and support and send them to me, I would be able to distribute them around my community here in Israel.

You are welcomed to include some treats in your care package as well. Please make sure that food is closed and marked with Kosher certification (I've included a picture of the most common symbols used for food packaging, recognized in America).

There are over 650 students at my school between 4th and 8th grades. The vast majority have had their fathers called up for reservist duty.

If you are a teacher and are interested in sending pen pal letters, please feel free to reach out to me privately to get the communication going.

Together we are stronger.

Am Yisrael Chai

Edit: Here are some ideas as to what to include in the care package... chips, candies, books, magazines, games.

Also, I won't be posting my personal mailing address here, but will be happy to share it with those who reach out privately.