Finally 48 “Quiet” Hours of Ceasefire

Dear Friends,

Yesterday P.M. Olmert announced a 48 hour “ceasefire” (the Hizbala still has not accepted the ceasefire) . For me it is a great relief. This decision was made as a result of the Israeli attack on Qana.

I must say that even though I am proud of the IDF, as a Jew, a rabbi and as an Israeli, I am so sorry this attack took place.

The terrible truth is that Hizbala usually uses women and children as a live shield to prevent the IDF from attacking the areas the fire to Israel originated from.

We saw on TV how every night terrorists fired missiles from the Qana village, so there was no choice but bombing the Qana village. The IDF reported that they weren’t aware of any civilian staying in the bombed buildings. In a way it was their children or our children and we do have a right to protect ourselves. But still the price was too high and it was very hard to see the horrible pictures on TV yesterday.

Slowly we begin to reactivate the congregation. Thanks to your help, our shelter is in very good shape (fully renovated, with a new bathroom, TV set and even an Aron Kodesh). Today we have our 1st and 2nd graders back to our summer camp, and they will be holding all their activities in our bomb shelter. Starting tomorrow, we want to reopen our preschools but we are waiting for approval from IDF authorities.

On behalf of all Or Hadash members, we want to express our condolences to the families of the terror victims at the Seattle Jewish Federation two days ago. We also send our prayers for a speedy recovery for the wounded. We were shocked about the death of this innocent woman. She is as innocent as the Lebanese children in Qana and as the innocent children of northern Israel who have spent the last 20 days in their bomb shelters under ongoing fire, suffering horrible experiences.

Last Shabbat, the mother of one of our B’nei Mitzvah (his father also celebrated his Bar Mitzvah here in 1971) said during her blessing speech: “This wasn’t the way I hoped to celebrate your Bar Mitzvah, Itamar, but you are so brave under these circumstances. We are optimistic about the future, we know there will be better times and then we will celebrate as you wanted”.

In the past 20 days I tried to send you updates reflecting my own point of view as an Israeli civilian. I hope it was helpful to create a picture to compliment what you saw on TV.

I have to agree with Itamar’s mother that we have to stay optimistic and hope for quieter and better times, when we will celebrate together.

Thank you for your support and your friendship.