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Help for Parents During Rocket Attacks in Israel

November 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
mother comforts sleeping child

I've been catching up after my trip and am still absorbing the fact that Israel is at war again in the south. My sons, who have finished their army service, have not been called up for reserve duty. We've talked within the family about what to do in case of a warning siren. We've heard some booms from the direction of Tel Aviv. So my life has been relatively unaffected, as much as possible in this small country. I'm glad to be able to keep things together on the home front. But my heart goes out to those whose families are on the front lines, especially those who care for small children or an elderly or disabled person. I remember how traumatized I felt during the Scud attacks on the … [Read more...]

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Israeli Army Chaplains and Sabbath Observance

January 12, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Our Shiputzim posted a letter about army chaplains accompanying soldiers to the Gaza front. The letter's author, YAR, and YAR's brother, one of the chaplains, are relatives of "Our Shiputzim."I'll wait while you read it.On Shabbat, our rabbi spoke about this incident and the question of Sabbath observance by chaplains. He maintained that there was absolutely no question that the chaplains were permitted to accompany the soldiers, Shabbat or not. Apparently the army employed Druze drivers (not mentioned in the letter quoted in Our Shiputzim) to minimize the violation of the Sabbath by Jews. The rabbi insisted that this was unnecessary.Let us pray for the day when we will no longer need to ask … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Israeli Living, Shabbat, War

Updates and list of injured soldiers and civilians

January 8, 2009 by 18 Comments

I am reposting the following from an email list called Survival During Hard Times. Please send updates or corrections to mominisrael@gmail.com.When Jews pray for the sick, they include the patient's Hebrew first (and middle) name, the word "ben" for son of or "bat" for daughter of, and the mother's Hebrew name.Updated January 26, 2009Please pray for our wounded soldiers and civilians. This list below isincomplete. Please send us any more names that should be includedhere, mother's names where missing, corrections and/or any otherupdated info about the condition of these soldiers.May we only hear good news and may they all be healed b'ezrat HaShem(G-d willing).This message was forwarded to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Israeli Living, War

Pictures of Israeli Soldiers Treating Palestinian Weapon Smugglers

January 5, 2009 by 2 Comments

I received these pictures today along with the Hebrew text below. For redistribution to all: Pictures of Israeli soldiers rescuing Palestinians from a tunnel (used for smuggling weapons) in Gaza. In the most moral army in the world, instead of blowing up the tunnel, they [the soldiers] rescue the one who is trying to kill you. After smuggling weapons they [the Palestinians] receive: Medical care, blankets, a cup of tea. I remind you what the three reserve soldiers received when they went into Ramallah [in Samaria in the West Bank] . . . by mistake!! That is the difference between us and the Palestinians. [MiI: There were two. One of them lived several blocks from my home. When his … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Army, Israeli Living, Pictures, War

Central Area Instructed to Prepare Shelters (awaiting confirmation)

January 1, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Update: I'm still waiting for confirmation of this story. I haven't heard of a public announcement by the Homefront Command.Breaking news via Jameel:Update: There was no announcement about this on the 3:00 news.2:04 PM IDF Homefront Command starts to distribute emergency directions for Rocket Attacks...in Tel Aviv. (source, see below for scanned copy)With Hamas Rocket ranges now reaching 60 kilometers (as reported here at the Muqata, from Israel Radio), the IDF Homefront command has started preparing for the eventuality that Hamas rockets will reach the Tel Aviv area. Also included is the Beit Shemesh area, Modi'in, Ramla, Lod, Bnei Brak, Rechovot, Holon, Givaatayim, Petach Tikva...That's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Israeli Living, War

War in Gaza: Report from the Home Front

December 30, 2008 by 12 Comments

Some bloggers thrive on war news. They excel at live blogging, or explaining Israel's point of view to the world at large. Neither approach works for me, as I avoid political discussions and have no inside information. And since my town is not directly affected, I find it difficult to write about the home-front situation. But here is my contribution.I found out about the operation Shabbat afternoon, from a neighbor whose son is an officer. He was in training exercises all day Friday, and was ordered to appear at the airport on Shabbat at 3PM. The family had to make arrangements for someone else to pick up the car after Shabbat. During lunch he took calls from his soldiers, who apologized … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Israeli Living, My Children, War