Notes from Israel

These have been difficult days, defined by uncertainty and the harsh realities of war. For the most part, the city is quiet and deserted; streets and hotels are empty, and most restaurants are closed or limited to takeout.

Thank G-d, we remain safe, and most importantly, we feel safe.

Notwithstanding feeling “stuck,” we remain in a country we deeply love, a place we still view as the best in the world.

We continue to follow all instructions, running down eight flights of stairs, at whatever hour, to the hotel shelter whenever the Home Front Command issues a siren or alarm. Last Shabbat, we experienced 16 sirens throughout the day. It is an exhausting and arduous cycle, with dozens more since then.

The closest analogy we can find is the isolation we all felt during the pandemic. Gatherings are largely prohibited and schools remain closed. Yet, in the face of this, people are jumping in to support one another and lend a hand however they can. This is the Israeli spirit: resilient, defined by kindness, and care for one another (kol Yisrael areivim zeh lazeh).

For the past seven days, our hearts have been warmed by the tremendous outpouring of support from our school family. The messages, emails, and daily check-ins have been nothing short of remarkable. You have given us the chizuk, the strength, to navigate these challenging times.

We want nothing more than to be back home with our families and with all of you. We remain hopeful and optimistic that, G-d willing, the airport will reopen soon and the war will end. We pray the regular sirens and shelter visits will become a thing of the past.

We are doing what we can to help. We have donated blood through Magen David Adom for those injured in the terror missile attacks, made Shiva visits to offer love to grieving families, and acted as a "temporary family" and listening ear for the few other tourists at our hotel who are also unable to get home.

We will be spending this Shabbat with evacuees from Beit Shemesh who have no homes to return to and who have lost so much of what is dear to them during this war.

We want to thank you again for the constant stream of love, virtual hugs, and heartwarming messages. We are sending that love back to all of you. From the bottom of our hearts, todah rabah for your deep care and concern. We feel it every day.

It is our hope that this Shabbat brings calmness, quiet, and answered prayers. May we continue to be a strong people, a bonded nation who always clings to hope, faith, and the prospects of enduring peace.

.עוֹד יָבוֹא שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כֻּלָּם

Shabbat Shalom, Bsorot Tovot, and Am Yisrael Chai,

Jonathan and Renee