By:Cindy J. Roth
Rita Eilenberg was astounded to experience some of the recent Middle East violence from her North Bellmore home.
Eilenberg's sister and brother-in-law, Toby and Stan Weintraub, were in Israel during the week of the terrorist bombing of a downtown Jerusalem pizzeria Aug. 9. The Weintraubs had eaten at the Sbarro restaurant the day before the terrorist bombing killed 15 and injured more than 100 people.
"Every day there is something going on in Israel," Eilenberg, democratic candidate for the county legislature 13th district, said. "It's so scary there."
The Weintraubs went to Israel to visit their son's family, who has been living in Israel for more than 16 years. Stan Weintraub makes a yearly pilgrimage to Israel and says he never gives the trip a second thought.
"I don't think about not going, but I am more concerned than usual," Weintraub said. "But I don't want to be intimidated about [the violence]. The situation is very difficult, but people who are really concerned [about the violence] are going [to Israel] in defiance."
Rabbi Paul Kushner, of the East Bay Reform Temple in Bellmore, agrees with Weintraub. Kushner said he wouldn't hesitate to go to Israel. Through e-mail conversations Kushner has had with friends and family in Israel, he has found that most have had to make only small lifestyle changes because of the on-going violence.
"They take taxis instead of buses," Kushner said. "They shop in small stores instead of large ones where there are better selections. People are changing their lifestyles but they are not living in fear. Israeli's accept [the violence]."
Weintraub experienced, first-hand, a degree of stress from living in Israel but said Israeli's deal with the stress differently and they hope for improvement. Weintraub does not believe the situation will improve soon, partly because of the role of the United States.
"The [United States] government doesn't care that people were massacred," he said. "The United States newspapers reported more about Israelis taking over a Palestinian house than the bombing. [They get] upset about a political move. I am appalled."
Perhaps the most devastating impact of the violence on Israelis has been the realization that peace will not come in their lifetime, Kushner said.
"What hurts most of all, is people were looking forward to peace and now they do not feel that [will be accomplished]," Kushner said. "[Israelis] don't feel like they are in eminent danger, but they are discouraged about having peace in their lifetime. [Violence] is very much in their minds."
Bellmore Jewish Center guest Rabbi Amos Miller said he is outraged at the terrorist attacks killing innocent men and women but it should not deter visitors.
"[Jews] should show solidarity by visiting," Miller said. "I would not hesitate to encourage people to visit. If [Jews stop traveling to Israel], then we are handing a victory to the terrorists."
Eilenberg and Toby and Stan Weintraub agreed that there has not been a strong enough response from Jews in the United States. They said support efforts are not strong enough from individuals or from temples.
"Nobody cares or does anything until it affects them," Eilenberg said.
The East Bay Reform Temple is planning a trip to Israel in 2003. Kushner said planning for the trip continues at full steam. They hope for peace by that time although they no there are no guarantees.
"The one thing I can no longer say is, 'American tourists have not died [in Israel]'," Kushner said.
