Rabbinic Mission to Israel July 20-27

Sitting in a bomb shelter beneath Netzach Yisrael Masorti synagogue in Ashkelon, I watched as a little girl drew a picture. Amichai Lau-Lavie, founder of the Lab Shul, an innovative New York organization, had just told the children the story of Nachshon, the brave Israelite who jumped into the Red Sea and kept moving forward until the sea was up to his neck. Only then did the sea split for the Israelites. Amichai then asked the children to draw a picture of how Nachshon dealt with his fear. The little girl drew a picture of the raging sea complete with wild waves. Beneath the wave was an alligator. Above the water, stood a girl who was bravely facing her worst fears.

It doesn’t take a psychologist to interpret this picture. These children were attending a summer program in the bomb shelter beneath the Masorti synagogue. In the few minutes we spent watching the children color and play, the sirens sounded above ground. This is a daily and even hourly occurrence in Ashkelon these days. About 160 rockets have fallen on Ashkelon since July 7. Iron Dome effectively knocked out about a hundred of them and only eight missiles have fallen on the city. But even eight is too many.

Today we were in the belly of the beast. We visited Ashkelon, Sderot, Beersheva, and Omer, meeting with town officials and members of the local Masorti congregations. We heard the sirens go off three times in the course of our visit – once when we were in the shelter and twice when we were driving between locations. Rather than getting out of the bus and finding a shelter, we were instructed to duct down below window level in the isle and on the floor of the bus.

We were amazed to see the underground operation centers in Sderot and Beersheva. These communities have set themselves up anticipation things to come – they can run their city government from a bunker beneath the cities.

We learned how Ashkelon has developed sophisticated technology that allows them to figure out what the needs of any given area might be if a rocket falls. This system looks at not only infrastructure and buildings, but also the ages and needs of the population in any given area.

We learned that Iron Dome is amazing effective but not infallible. And it costs between 100-150,000 shekels (or was it dollars) every time they fire a missile.

We stood on the roof of a military Yeshiva in Sderot from which we could see the smoke rising from a strike in Gaza. Sderot is only 1400 meters from Gaza. We also learned that despite all the efforts of Hamas the price of real estate has tripled in Sderot and the population has grown. Several years ago our son Mordy suggested half as a joke that we should buy real estate in Sderot since it had to be very inexpensive. Eventually the price was bound to go up. Who knew that he would be correct?

Sderot has above ground above ground shelters at every bus stop, called “receiving shelters.” People joke that Sderot is the safest city in the world…

Prime Minister Netanyahu said it all earlier this week. “Israel uses its weapons to protect its citizens; Hamas uses its citizens to protect its weapons.” How is it possible that the world does not understand this?

Some people are not sure what to call “Protective Edge.” Is it an operation, a campaign, an incursion? For most people in these communities there is no question – it is a war. And it is a war in which the borders do not matter – it is happening in their neighborhoods and in front of their homes. The rockets that Hamas is firing at them are filled with ball bearing and pieces of medal so that when they strike they will do the maximum amount of damage and injury to the people who are struck.

And yet. Did you know that Ashkelon provides most of the power and water needed in Gaza? They continue to do so even as Hamas rains rockets down on its homes. And Israel has set up medical centers on the border of Gaza for wounded Palestinians…

On the roof of the Yeshiva in Sderot there is a large menorah made out of Hamas rockets. The Rosh Yeshiva commented that it was inspired by the story of the Maccabees who used their spears to create a menorah to light in the Temple when they defeated the Hellenists. We too can say, "A great miracle is happening here."

There is so much more to say…but it is late and tomorrow is another day. I feel privileged to have stood with the amazing people of these communities. And I am proud of our Masorti rabbis and congregants who continue to strengthen their community with their spirit and know-how.