Israel in Focus

Shabbat, Simchat Torah, October 7th 2023. My older brother’s shabbat chatan. My entire family was in Jerusalem for it, staying at an airbnb. We woke up as normal on Shabbat day and we were on our way to the Beit Knesset when the first siren went off in Jerusalem. We ducked into a protected area and could see the interceptions from where we were standing. After a few minutes a debate started about someone going back to check on my mother. During this time a car drove by, the driver in IDF uniform, and told us “the rockets are from Gaza, we are at war.”

I decided to return to our apartment for two reasons: One, to check on my mother, two, in order to check my phone as the unit I used to be in was stationed on the Gaza border. My mother thank God had gone down to the bomb shelter in the building and was alright. Due to the day being Shabbat and Simchat Torah, I was very careful about what I was using my phone for, I only checked with my former commander if I was being called up, I didn’t check any news and therefore didn’t understand what was actually happening. I then spent the rest of the day continuing semi-normal, celebrations in the Beit Knesset were more prayer rather than celebratory, due to an understanding that there was a serious issue along the border. Sirens kept interrupting and bits of news were filtering through the crowds. During the day I received a message from my commander saying I was not called up and to wait for further instructions, so that’s what I did. Only that night did I check the news and start to understand the full picture, by that time I was again told that once it was safe and they could verify they had protective gear for me was I going to be called down south.

In memory of all the fallen from Gdud 77, and specifically Naama Boni.