To our Beth El community,

Thom and I set out for Israel on Monday with the hopes of landing in Israel early Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately, for us and about a dozen other Israel-bound travelers, our plane was late and we missed our connection. We were put up in a very nice hotel - at 2:30 a.m. all hotels seem very nice, but this one was lovely. We were given meal vouchers, but our wonderful daughters ordered a kosher breakfast delivered to the hotel. We set out at noon on Tuesday for our new flight; first to Charles DeGaul Airport and from there to Israel. 

We arrived at Ben-Gurion airport on Wednesday afternoon. All seemed perfectly normal; passport control asked us how long we intended to stay, all of our luggage arrived in a timely manner and there was Sarah King waiting to greet us. We made it back to Jerusalem in time for dinner and made an early night of it. We awoke on Thursday and decided to go into town for a few items. We spent the day chatting, planning what we would do, whom we would see, where to go to shull over Shabbos- apparently there is a very nice Masorti shul right near Sarah’s new apartment. We had a lovely dinner of burgers (after sharing the menu item of a burger with goose liver with Ben Kreshtool) no, we opted for more traditional fare. We once again made it a fairly early night. 

On Friday morning we awoke to the news. Sarah, by choice, does not have a TV but we followed the news on our phones. It was before 9:00 a.m., Israel time and anticipating that this Shabbos might be different than a normal Shabbos, lists were compiled and rather than a leisurely shopping excursion, Sarah set out to obtain our necessary items for Shabbos. Upon her return, we discussed what to do and where to go, should the need arise. Sarah also downloaded onto our phones the Homefront Command app. This app alerts citizens of where the alert zone is located, how much time we have to arrive to our protected area (minutes) and guidelines for activities (gatherings prohibited.) It is a very useful app especially given our circumstances. We were also told that the chief Rabbi had ordered all to keep their phones and computers on. We were also informed that there would be no large gatherings allowed (ie no shul, no school, no concerts etc.) and public transport was not running except for a few buses. 

Sarah obtained the key to the bomb shelter and we prepared for Shabbos. We packed our “go bags”, showered and set up food and the apartment. We were about to light candles to bring in Shabbos when the first siren sounded. Instead of the leisurely and spiritual conversation I usually try to have with the Almighty when I light my candles, it was a quick strike of the match, a hasty blessing and off to the stairwell. Our neighbor informed us that this first “calling card” was from the Houthis and we didn’t need to go to the real bomb shelter yet; the stairwell would suffice. Indeed, as she spoke, we heard the “boom” of the interception of the missile. Let me say now that, from the inside, the boom is not very loud, but you actually feel it. The alert lasted a few minutes and then we returned to the apartment to begin our erev Shabbos meal. 

As we prepared for bed, the next siren went off and this time we headed for the bomb shelter with our neighbor. I was surprised that it wasn’t a comfortable little basement but actually a hole in the ground with a steel door that you can close, if necessary. It is actually pretty deep in the ground. As we heard the booms from above, we decided to sing a few Shabbos zemiros (songs) and our neighbor checked on some of her relatives, including her mother. After about an hour, we received the “all clear “ and marched back up to Sarah’s apartment. Anticipating that this would be a long night, we slept in our clothes and our shoes; our go-bags at the ready.

Three more times on Friday night/Saturday morning, we made our way down to the bomb shelter. Sarah was able to track where the action was. At about 3:00 a.m. we made our way back to the apartment for the last time and slept- still in our clothes; just in case. 

Saturday morning was eerily quiet. There is usually a hustle and bustle of people going to shul and children playing outside. We spent a quiet day reading and napping- it had been a long night. At around 5:00 p.m. some friends walked over and we spent some time talking about what was going on. I was happy to hear some children playing in a nearby park, but in general, the streets were silent.

We ended Shabbos with Havdalah and hoped for a peaceful night. Still sleeping in our clothes, the silence of the night was broken by the occasional distant roar of jets. Twice during the night, we made our way to the bomb shelter, but around 2:30 a.m. we were able to sleep. 

We awoke this morning to the sound of the garbage truck. They usually come on Saturday night, but due to the situation, it was postponed until this morning. Sunday is a regular workday in Israel. Today, Sarah will be working from home, especially as her workplace is near the area that was hit by the bombs. Other than a few photos in the bomb shelter, we aren’t posting any photos due to security concerns. As of now, Ben-Gurion airport is closed, as is the airspace over Israel. 

We shall see what unfolds over the next few days. Please keep your prayers coming and pray for peace. 

With much love,

Cantor and Mrs. King