(Originally published in The Times of Israel)
A seder enveloped by sirens and a heart rendering funeral motivated me to write to friends and family in the United States, some of whom have been in touch as well as the many who have not.
Family and friends:
This Passover, and last night’s seder in particular, is especially poignant and, in some ways, quite strange. We know that many in the U.S. are opposed to the war or, if not that, are conflicted about it. We know that includes many American Jews, including those that care about Israel.
We understand that position from an American perspective: the economy, being seen (wrongly, in our view) as the aggressor, the cost, the price of a gallon of gas, dislike of President Trump, lack of clear messaging, apparent lack of a well thought-out strategy, etc.
(We are also cognizant of the shock and the feelings of vulnerability and isolation that many American Jews feel due to the startling increase in Jew-hatred in America and around the world.)
Most Israelis, including us, see it from a different perspective. We see an axis that bombarded our north and south with missiles for over two decades, that viciously attacked us on Oct. 7, 2023, that continues to bombard us to this day, that repeatedly declares its intention to destroy us, that dedicates itself to developing the weapons to do so, and that appeared to becoming very close to being in a position to do so.
Regardless of possible differences in perspective, we REALLY APPECIATE the messages of concern and support we have received. At a time when we are running for cover, when our lives and movement are restricted and fraught with danger, when we are sustaining injuries and deaths, when our young people are making the ultimate sacrifice, when our neighbors with young children are under incredible strain, when we are feeling very isolated and alone, your messages have been a lifeline, a reminder that people care, that we are not alone.
We’re hanging in there. It does take its toll. Everyone is weary. It seems that in Jerusalem the frequency of attacks has decreased a bit the last 48 hours. But we’ve had periods like that before. The north is getting hit hard by Hezbollah. And they get no warning—they have to get to a shelter in 15 seconds.
The center of the country and Tel Aviv are still getting hit hard by Iran. Our daughter in Tel Aviv had them at 9 and 9:30 Monday night and then, starting about 7:45 yesterday morning, had about four in the course of two hours. Many were wondering how they would cook for the seder while running to shelters.
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