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June 2002

USA

Sha'arei Tikvah, Israel

View from the Other Side of the Mountain

Often I'm asked what life is like in Israel amidst this barbaric terrorism. Hundreds, indeed thousands of attempts since the outbreak of the intifida Rosh Hashannah of last year. I usually mutter something mundane such as it's a terribly sad day, it's so depressing. But, it is much more than that. It is a tightrope game of life that is tearing at our throats. We walk a narrow, taut line desperately balancing the most horrific with our search for the humdrum. It is a dangerous balancing act. And my heart aches from it.

My youngest son (13 years old) wakes up Monday and says "there will be a terrorist attack today." We've run out of cornflakes. Do you think you can get some?

By the time he has finished his morning prayers, the news comes screaming over my radio and phone announcing the newest terrorist onslaught. A homicide terrorist explodes himself on Jerusalem bus #32A. Nineteen people --- children among them -- body parts strewn everywhere. A burned-out skeleton of a bus stands at intersection. The news talks of the traffic jams in Jerusalem.

I call a Jerusalem client to discuss a new project I have just submitted. Good morning. Did the e-mails come through I ask? Yes, thanks for getting the work in on time, she responds. But, I can't talk to you now. One of my colleagues is currently in the operating theater. She was on the bus. I was supposed to pick her up, but she had one of those harrying mornings -- four kids and no one was ready on time. "I'll take the bus to work. Don't bother." I'll look at the project later on this week and get back to you.

My son arranges his afternoon snack -- a fried, doughy concoction that the Yemenites have introduced into our diet. He scrupulously grates his tomato and mixes his special sauce. He sets it all out on the table around the newspaper to read of dreams unfulfilled, grieving families, friends overwhelmed with profound loss. He reads of people, who on a simple morning's journey to work, school or errands, were blown to smithereens. "Oh look, here's a lady who worked with Eli (one of my older daughters) -- I bet Eli knew her." Yes, she did. The funeral is tomorrow at 10AM. Your sister will be there. Good lunch.

The phone rings. Eli, my university daughter, calls from Jerusalem. When she heard about the massacre, she remembered that her colleague rode that bus line regularly. A nice lady. Wonderful to work with. Her voice is quiet, broken. I'm so tired of knowing people who are being killed, she says. I know my dear. I know. Another funeral to go to. By the way, can you send me some money this week. I'm low. No problem, I say.

A Bar Mitzvah celebration. Delightful antics from the boy's family and siblings. How wonderful to see the family is growing. Four generations together. New babies on the way. We plant trees, say blessings and sing and dance. A suicide terrorist explodes himself at French Hill in Jerusalem. More singing. The grandfather and patriarch of the family speaks. Dessert and coffee. Phone calls to check on children's safety. How many are dead, we ask. We don't know yet. The Bar Mitzvah boy is lifted into the air.

We visit with friends before catching the bullet-proof bus back home. One of the teenage boys who was killed is from the yishuv; he managed to escape the rampaging terrorist three weeks ago in his school in Itamar, but death met him at the intersection in Jerusalem. His friend is seriously injured; the parents are on the way to the hospital. Our friend's teenage girls run out of the house to comfort their friends. To pray and cry. To embrace and talk their hearts out. Take your sweater. It's chilly.

The chill is not from the weather, I think, but my heart. And theirs. And everyone else's in this land. The tightrope is snapping.

Israel

Hi, In this 3rd letter, I want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone that cares. I have come to realize and learn that caring does not mean that one has to do their bit by volunteering on a committee or being involved in a group, because physical space on those are limited. I want to thank those that taught me this lesson.

I was lucky enough to be invited to attend a 2-day event for selling Israeli goods in the USA. The idea behind the event was purely to assist the vendors who are so hard hit by the drop in tourism and are in danger of closing down their businesses. The event was so well arranged that the community of Lawrence in NY paid for even a large portion of the tickets. Throughout the day, people were coming to the booth and buying goods, that they did not necessarily need at the time, taking part in raffles and eating Pizza and Pie just so that they could support us. I was hearing words like "..It is for a good cause..", "..It is a mitzvah.." etc.

As an Insider, living in Israel, I thank Hashem that he gave me the opportunity to see how the American community has outdone itself in its' support for Israel and as a Jew, I imagine that similar support is shown all over the world. It is true that I was somewhat taken aback, what about pride? Was I at a handout? Was I that needy? But then I took a step back and looked at this beautiful "family" that knew the truth, that knew that I never had to utter a word and stepped up at my moment of need.

The Jewish people are indeed a beautiful family and as in a family, we all care about even the most distant of kin.

The very small community of Lawrence had 6000 people visit the show on the first evening, which was from 2200hr to 0100hr the next day. The hall could not accommodate them all and so they a line formed around the block. This is incomprehensible to most, 6000 people in line just so that they can assist a few vendors from Israel. The thought brings tears to my eyes. I wonder how many other such events there are in the world that we in Israel are not aware of?

The Insider thanks President Bush for his stand against terror, as indeed this show of strength, gives hope to all peace loving people in the area. The Insider thanks each and every one of you reading this email, as you have as much a part of the support that Israel gets as anyone else has. I ask you to forward this email, to as many people as you feel necessary, as a token of not only my personal appreciation, but also the appreciation of every Israeli.

Yours Sincerely
The Insider

The Insider thanks the following sponsors: www.Israelshop1.com - The Israeli & Judaica gift shop that helps you help Israel - We donate a gift to children in hospital or soldiers on the border with each purchase made. www.Deadseacosmetics4u.com - Cosmetics made from the salts and the minerals of the Dead Sea, for treatment of the skin in cases of Psoriasis, acne, rheumatism, etc. www.warm-hearts.com - Aimed to help make this world a better place. www.magenta-capital.com - Magenta Capital ltd. - Business Management, Consulting and Venture Marketing. Specializing in bridging between the Israeli and global markets.

My prayers are with my brothers and sisters, all of Klal Yisrael, for the speedy redemption of Moshiach and we shall all live in peace forever.

Israel, America loves you and we will continue to stand with you. We are praying for the peace of Jerusalem.

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