Josh's War Journal (Days 17-18)

NOTE BEFORE READING: A system glitch prevented sharing the blog. Now fixed, please feel free to share with relevant people, and of course, encourage others to subscribe! - Josh

Monday

The kids are partially back in their respective educational frameworks.

Shlomi is in his Golan-based pre-army academy. In order to operate within the legalities of the security stipulations, the boys there have to incorporate hours of agricultural (thus essential) work. Picking fruit, planting, etc.

Ayelet is doing some of her 5th grade classes in school, and others on Zoom.

Akiva’s (9th grade) dorm school is reopening, albeit with limited classroom hours. (I don’t think any boys will complain)!

Today I’m focusing on a different element of my war effort. Today I begin working on a new megillah (my 9th!). As is our Jewish tradition, scribes write Torahs and Megillahs in honor, merit or memory of others. I have decided to write this one for the merit of my three boys: Yedidya, Yonatan and Akiva Lasson, with the intention of giving it to my future son-in-law (A.L.).

Tuesday

I'm back in business with another day with Leon! Sadly, this will be our last day together as he is returning to London.

In the morning I chase a lead of Ultra-orthodox (Haredi) young men drafting. They will be run through an expedited 2-week basic training and then serve in the IDF in a range of positions, like basic guard duty, ambulance drivers, and other relevant positions. Some people think this may be a turning point of Haredi relationship vis-à-vis secular society and vice versa. Personally, I don't see this happening at all. This is a wartime effort. Just as there were Corona efforts that did not continue beyond that crisis, so too I have no anticipation nor expectation of any impact beyond the war’s framework. But only time will tell…

This afternoon we go to document yet another funeral. The Becher family of Kibbutz Be’eri. The mom – Dana - and teenage son Carmel, were murdered in cold blood in front of the dad – Avida, and daughter – Hadar. The Hamas monsters shot them, threw three grenades into their “safe room,” and set their home on fire. Somehow, Hadar survived. Avida survived as well, but the surgeons had to amputate one leg, and the other is full of gunshot wounds. Carmel was an avid surfer. The family decides to bury his surfboard with him. They lay it on his coffin, and a boy, and his passion, are interred.

When the funeral is over, the sirens blare and rockets scream overhead. I instruct people how to behave: Do not run!… lie down flat and cover your head!

And there we are...

One family lies dead in the ground’s embrace.

While the living families lie on the ground, embraced.

…

Today we also managed to visit two collection/sorting/distribution centers. One based in a gym in Ramat Gan, and the other in the underground parking lot of Tel Aviv’s Expo building.

The judicial reform and all of its pro/anti protests seem like they are part of another era. One group of anti-reform protesters – “Brothers-in-Arms” - mostly IDF veterans and perhaps the most well-known, had created a well-run, highly organized civilian volunteer mechanism. As soon as the war broke out, they simply said: “All right. New target,” and came to the aid of the IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons).

Clothes. Toys. Books. Car Seats. Even supplies for "displaced pets!"

The large army-greenish flag cries: "We are all Brothers!"

On the internet and in Tel Aviv’s bus stops there is a huge campaign of unity. It promotes the idea that there is no more left/right, secular/religious etc. There is only One Nation. When we visit these centers, we see this with our eyes, and we sense it with our hearts.

Will this hold? Here again, I don’t think so. But I also think that it shouldn’t.

We will emerge from this crisis with the same different opinions that we had before.

But what might change? What do I pray will change?

Our ability to voice them with courage, and sensitivity.

Our compassion to hear another’s voice without canceling them out.

Our understanding that compromise with brothers is not a loss but a mutual victory.

I hope…

As for Leon... we part ways.

My thoughts about Leon... At a time when my belief in humanity's humanity is dimmed, I meet a beautiful person like Leon, whose soul brightens the gloom with a supernova light.

I hope that I will have the opportunity to properly serve as his tour guide, and not just his "fixer." But in the meantime, I give him a copy of my book "The 36!"

After all, I did write it in order for people to experience Israel in all of its depths and glory, even from the comfort of their armchairs...

And as for you - dear reader of this blog - if you too wish to read my book, gift it or promote it, or just wish to support, click here!

As always, I look forward to your comments and feedback!

And of course, you can subscribe to the blog below.