JEWISH WORLD

JEWISH WORLD • JUNE 14-20, 2024 17 Although clearly from dissimilar backgrounds, this unit had created an unbreakable chain of mutual sup- port and respect. Israel is incredible because it con- stantly surprises you. If there is a need, the solution will come. For example, in the Gvaot Village in Western Gush Etzion, an amazing community was formed around the Sadnat Shiluv, a school that sup- ports young adults with a wide range of special needs. These young peo- ple are seen as capable individuals who can benefit society for what they “can” do as opposed as to what they “cannot” achieve. There are bakers, ceramic artists, waiters, ani- mal caretakers; they have been inte- grated with the village community, whose over 30 other families have chosen to live among these people with special needs (Photo 6). It was truly a wonder to watch this unique commune, which besides raising sheep, and goats, offers animal ther- apy with dogs and horses. Next time you are in the area make sure to stop at their beautiful café, visit the near- by Kashuela Farm and learn how this area of Gush Etzion was lost and re- captured by visiting the very moving Gush Etzion Heritage Center. The spirit of survival has mush- roomed everywhere in Israel right now. So many displaced communi- ties need to reinvent themselves to create a new life for their members. We met with families from the Shu- va community which by coinci- dence has become the sister com- munity of Great Neck Synagogue. Members of Shuva were being host- ed in Almog, another community facing the dangers of nearby Jeri- cho. The families were a mix of pio- neers, tech gurus, lawyers. Kids run- ning around barefoot, mismatched clothing, yet full of vibrant energy. Not spoiled, still smiling, still grate- ful, still full of hope, these Shuva members seem certain that their painfully disrupted lives will be re- built. Here, toys were distributed, and kids were ecstatic to receive the dozens of Beenie Babies we person- ally brought as well. O ne of the most poignant , heart-wrenching, parts of the trip was visiting Har Herzl Military Cemetery. The sight of too many fresh graves stabs your heart; the sound of relatives’ tears and prayers nearby haunt the air. Inside the mu- seum the bricks of the fallen serve as a reminder that these heroes will never be forgotten. At the site of the Nova Music Fes- tival, the air is heavy with the souls of innocents reminiscent of the fields of Treblinka. At the site of the Nova Music Festival in Re’im, the air carries the grief of hundreds of innocent souls, reminiscent of the fields of Treblinka. Posters of the hostages still in captivity speak of the horror. At the back, in the forest, a mother and father, stand by a me- morial banner of their beautiful daughter Karin. Silent in grief, they cannot speak, they try to fill the abyss of her gone presence, by being where she last lived. The mother shows us a video compilation of Karin’s life, then opens an album filled with hundreds of Karin’s mag- ical pictures. There are no words, just gestures conveying the immen- sity of their loss. People around them are cautious, uncertain, hugs seem to be the only source of com- fort. In nearby Tekuma, the loss of life appears in the form of thousands of derelict cars, piled high, burnt, unrecognizable. The burnt cars will be buried as they may carry the un- collectible remains of human life. This is another site of unbearable damage. Bearing witness, we visit the first moshav that was invaded by the ter- rorists. Netiv HaAsara sits 700 feet from the Gaza border. Our guide, Benny, the assistant to the deputy security chief, leads us on a tour of murder sites. This garden filled community has been transformed into a place of un- speakable killings: a 78-year-old woman gunned down in cold blood in a shelter; Yaacov and Bilha, a lov- ing couple, burnt to death, their house and cars stand destroyed yet waving in the air remain Bilha’s ar- tistic creations of mosaic pans and pottery. The glaring white egg- shaped shelter facing the green hills of Gaza where Gil Cohen, to save his two sons, jumped on a grenade thrown by Hamas terrorists; inside the shelter, large blood stains mark this father’s sacrifice. At the Gaza border, tanks are seen, artillery is heard. Benny’s home faces the Gaza border wall just a few feet away. The roof of his home stands damaged by a previous rocket at- tack. Personally, I could not live in a place where each day may be bringing an enemy intrusion, injury or death. He told us he is there as the first defense line; he understands the risks but repeats the fact “if we are not here, they, the Arabs would take over”. That is why the prevailing mes- sage is that for their survival, these communities need more security, more protection, more provisions. Here in the Gaza envelope, in Judea, and Samaria One Israel Fund pro- vides essential defensive and medi- cal equipment. Some of this gear (helmets, flashlights, a drone) was presented to the local Shiloh Bloc Kitat Konenut (first responders). We also had the privilege to observe firsthand how this security team trained for defense. It was quite a sight. Part of this defense team is the ex- ceptional Provisor family. The fa- ther, Marc, until this year had the huge responsibility as director of security for the Shilo area. Now his son Yochai has taken over this sensi- tive position. Marc represents the dichotomy of Israel. He is an artist, who paints for a living, yet he car- ries his rifle like we carry a knap- sack. His wife Suri, who is also a highly regarded artist, works on the revival of the ancient crafts of weav- ing, spinning and basketry in Tel Shilo where she is the director of the Ancient Crafts Art Center. She is the one who taught us how to knot the (t the site of the 5o]a Music Festi]al, the air is heavy with the souls of innocents- reminiscent of the fields of Treblinka. Barbecue and dancing with the soldiers at the Herodian IDF Base. Site of the Nova Musical Festival, where hundreds of young people were gunned down. Inside the shelter where Gil Cohen saved his sons in Netiv HaAsara. continued on page 27