This morning Israel held an emergency drill. Air-raid sirens (up-and-down) were sounded for two minutes. Schoolchildren and workers were expected to go to their safe areas, while those at home were to go into shelters or safe rooms. People traveling or outside were supposed to ignore it. I was home and decided to go to the shelter. My teenager, who was also home, didn't. The head of the residents' committee had told my husband that there was some kind of machsom (barrier) in the shelter. It seems our shelter is filled with several years' worth of  junk and a corresponding amount of dirt. Those of us in the Tel Aviv area are supposed to be able to get to our shelter within two minutes. … [Read more...]