Beginning today, the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley will post "Thoughts from Israel" on its Facebook page that you can access it through this link.

Each day we will share a special post from shlichim to the Federation and former residents of our area. In the meantime, here are some excerpts from posts you will see:

From Reut Oz, current shlicha to our Federation:

I'm struggling with finding words to comfort people around me. I even find it hard to comfort myself at times but with that I feel that the hardest times are when we need to remember all that we have been through as people and as a nation and regain our confidence in ourselves...

From Dan Ravitch, IDF Soldier from Benton Harbor serving in the
Iron Dome Unit 

Taking a bus in the middle of the week from Jerusalem South, I met half a dozen men and women in the back of the bus. Upon taking my seat, I was immediately immersed in a conversation on the situation and where we had all come from. Three were called into reserves that morning, and the others were all hoping to be called in soon. Everyone wants to do their part in bringing peace to their home. Every Jewish citizen is willing to put their life on the line so that their families and friends can continue a life of peace...

From Raz Revah- a resident of southern Israel and our next Shlicha

When we hear the alarm we have 60 seconds to go down to the shelter. Try to imagine all the simple things you can do normally in 60 seconds. It's crazy to think that you only have 60 seconds to run to the shelter and save your life while you always worry where all your family is right now and if they have a safe place to go into during the alarm.