English lessons

A very meaningful and memorable morning with Refael picking lemons in Kfar Maimon (in the Gaza envelope) and meeting Sarah Arava, sister-in-law of Dikla Arava, and Aunt of Tomer Arava, both of blessed memory, murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7. Sagi and Sarah refuse to let their spirits be broken by tragedy and they persevere and continue their way of life, growing lemons and hosting volunteers from all over the world, to tell their story and preserve the memory of Tomer , Dikla and Noam. Am Yisrael Hai!

To all friends and family - we are ok. Ok. Not great, but ok. Making the best of the situation. I'm sure that you've been following the news, so you know what's been taking place. But we know that Israel will pull through, overcome this national catastrophe and restore security and peace of mind to its citizens, however long it takes.

In terms of the Gilmore family - Itamar was drafted two months ago into a "sayeret" (special forces unit) and because of the unprecedented situation his basic training was expedited so that he and the other newly enlisted soldiers could help out the standing army and reserves as those soldiers are at the various fronts that have either opened up or threaten to open up. They will be charged with guarding various sensitive places within Israel proper. At least, that is the situation at the moment. So he's growing up a bit faster than he would be in a normal situation but I'm sure he will be alright.

As for myself, "school" is going to be taking place via remote learning so it looks like I'll be back to teaching via one of the on-line platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet. At present the emphasis is far less on teaching material and far more on teaching as a kind of therapy, teaching and learning as human activities that endow us with purpose and hope and optimism.

Refael (my younger son) is - like all other Israeli kids these days, I guess, growing up faster due to the fact that in this day and age teenagers know everything that we adults know and that knowledge carries a heavy price these days...

Shira is facing challenges and is going to be facing further challenges in her work as a psychotherapist but she's up to those challenges and has the spiritual resources to really be of help to her patients, including those directly affected by the recent tragic events.

So, all in all, we are ok! We know that things will work out in the end. We have faith in the country - in the Israeli resilience and in the resolve of the Jewish people to overcome any and all difficulties.

Am Yisrael hai!

Be well!!! ❤️‍🩹

What happened in Israel’s southern towns and kibbutzim on Saturday is as horrific as it is incomprehensible. Hamas carried out a very well-planned and well-coordinated attack involving both rockets and infiltrations from the southern border using tactics and technologies supplied by Iran. They managed to knock out the border defense systems and kill everyone charged with guarding the border. Once they had achieved this, Hamas operatives crossed into Israel in pickups and on motorcycles and fell upon the populace like wolves. In the kibbutzim across the border from Gaza they went street by street, house to house, murdering almost everyone that they came across. The only people.they left alive were those they abducted as hostages and took to Gaza as part of their campaign of psychological warfare against Israel. Imagine your children being abducted by terrorists and held in captivity - it’s a hell unimaginable for most people.

At an outdoor party in a kibbutz close to the border with Gaza teenagers found themselves surrounded on all sides by assailants using any and all means to kill them and take hostages. Several Israelis did try to fight back - they picked up any weapons that they could find and they fought, many to the death. Tragically, most were killed, wounded or worse - abducted. Hundreds of dead bodies were found on the site later, some showing signs of having been sexually abused. How many of those wounded will make it through and how many will not - nobody knows. So far, we know that at least 900 people have been murdered, the vast majority of them civilians, many of them women and children.

So, what is left for Israel to do? Israel has to fight back because it is fighting for its life now. Our enemies are watching to see what we do. Hamas is watching, hoping that the hundreds of Israeli civilians that it has captured will weaken Israel’s resolve to act. They doubtlessly have planned many traps for Israeli soldiers should Israel go in on the ground. They know that Israel is going to retaliate and maybe that’s the scariest thing of all - they just don’t care about endangering their own populace. Because that is how great their hatred is. They are more than willing to sacrifice their own people in the name of this hatred.

Israel cannot fail to act now. That is not a possibility. This is our moment of truth. Our enemies are hoping that in our pain, sadness and confusion, we will be paralyzed. But we cannot be paralyzed now, we must act. The consequences of Israel’s defending itself will be great. Many people will die. Israelis will die. Palestinians will die. There will be suffering on both sides. But this kind of attack,unprecedented not only in the scope of its planning and implementation but also in terms of its maliciousness and inhumanity, must not go answered and these crimes must not go unpunished. That would be fatal for Israel. So I ask you to stnad with Israel in its hour of need. Today Israel is tasked with rising up to the terrorist menace. Who knows whose turn it will be tomorrow?

Stand with Israel!!!

don't be this guy (at least, don't be his arm)