I had the opportunity to speak to Shani, our former Shlicha, and wanted to share some of her thoughts with you:
Israel has been under attack for the past week. Sadly this is not new to us. We are somehow used to it.
On May 10th, Jerusalem experienced sirens and heard booms. Since then, the situation has escalated to the Gaza Strip, the center of Israel and the surrounding areas.
Talking on the phone with my older brother last week, and suddenly hearing the first few sirens in Tel Aviv has really shaken me. My family and friends are now in shelters.
I feel so scared and worried, especially because my younger brother is a combat soldier in the IDF and is now stationed at the Gaza border, ready for any scenario.
It's hard to be so far away (I'm in Shlichut in NY). My head is full with thoughts about the situation and how complex and nuanced it is. It's hard for both sides but I support the right of Israel to defend itself from terror.
I believe that each one of us has the responsibility to learn, read and educate ourselves about the background of all that is happening. We should not rely on only one news outlet or only one perspective of the narrative.
I feel that I have the responsibility, as a community Shlicha, to share my feelings, to be a resource and to be open to any conversation, especially during these times.
I hope the situation will calm down soon and that Israel will feel safe again. If you would like to discuss the situation more in depth with me, you can always reach out through:
WhatsApp +972-525594955
