Gilad Shalit

Jonah asked me yesterday while eating a snack of grapes if Gilad Shalit is still alive.

I said, I believe so. He said how do you know? I said, because as far as Israeli intelligence is aware, he is still alive. He told me that he sees lots of signs and stickers that say "גלעד עדיין חי". Translation: Gilad is still alive.

Jonah: "Do they give him food in jail?"
Natalie: "Yes."
Jonah: "Why?"
Natalie: "If they didn't, he would die."
Jonah: "Do they give him water to drink?"
Natalie: "Yes. If they didn't, he would die."
Jonah: "Is it kosher food?"
Natalie: "Probably not. However, Arabs also don't eat pig like Jewish people. So they keep a certain kind of kosher. So at least they don't give him pig. And in these circumstances, Hashem (G-d) understands. It is more important for Gilad to eat and drink whatever they give him and stay alive than for him to keep kosher."
Jonah: "But they hate Israel. So why do they keep kosher?"
Natalie: Who hates Israel?"
Jonah: "Arabs."
Natalie" "Not all Arabs hate Israel. We've talked about this before. Not all Arabs hate Israel and not all Arabs are bad. Some of them live in Israel. And some of them would rather live in Israel with an Israeli government than live in a place with an Arab government. But yes, the ones that have Gilad Shalit are bad."

Jonah: "I hope he comes home soon."
Natalie: "Me too. I really hope so. He has been gone for 5 years. On Shabbat, it is 5 years. That's a long time. He needs to come home."
Jonah: "I hope he comes home tomorrow."
Natalie: "Me too. Wouldn't that be great news to wake up to? Gilad Shalit came home!! Everyone would be so happy! And his family would be so thankful."
Jonah: "If I could, I would rescue him. I would take a big tractor or something and drive right over there and just take him out and save him. I really wish I could do that. I wish I could save him....."
Natalie: The best thing you can do right now is daven to Hashem (pray to G-d) and tell him how much you want Gilad Shalit to come home and how everyone is waiting for him. Right now we can't do anything to save him, but Hashem is in charge so tomorrow when you go to school and daven, say and extra special prayer for Gilad to come home."
Jonah: When we go see Bubbe and Zayde in Jerusalem, can they take us to the Kotel?
Natalie: Maybe.
Jonah: Oh good, I really want to put a petek (note) in the wall asking Hashem to bring Gilad Shalit home. I was really sad because I forgot to do that at my siddur party. I meant to bring a petek to put in the wall but I forgot and I had a paper but I didn't have a pen. My friend Ili reminded me, because he brought a petek from home. But I forgot.... so maybe I can go back and remember to do that next time."

Intense.... may we all wake up to the fantastic news that Gilad Shalit was brought home safe and sound.

Amen.

Oh, the things they say...

2 Funny Kid Comments

1 - I was talking to Sammy (4 years old) about summer vacation. I asked if he would like to have a sleepover with Jonah at his grandparents in Jerusalem. He was thinking about it and wanted to know what they would do. I said during the day maybe they could go somewhere fun, like the zoo. My kids are CONSTANTLY asking to go to the zoo! He responded, "Maybe to the zoo.....or maybe to Mitzrayim" which translates to Egypt. I said "Maybe... but I don't think so". He said, "There really is an Eretz (land) called Mitzrayim. And they talk like Aravim (Arabs) there!"
Not sure where that entire comment came from but I was amused.

2 - We were sitting at the dinner table and had the following conversation:

Natalie: We have to call moving companies
Jonah (6 yr old) - You should call Hovlot Yossi
Natalie - Why?
Jonah - Because they are the best!
Natalie - How do you know that?
Jonah- Because it says so on the sign....

:) So apparently their advertising works. When I call for a quote, I'll have to relay the conversation and maybe I can get a discount. Hehe!

This Week's Thought - From the Koby Mandell Foundation

This Week's Thought
From The Koby Mandell Foundation

Last week, at a memorial service for Koby his brother Daniel read the following:

Who wants to write to a brother who was murdered?


It’s difficult to write to you,
It’s been years since we spoke.

Your physical absence has been replaced with an empty space in our lives. In another month you could have been 24.

You could have been married with a child or two, you could be traveling in South America, you could have been studying at university, you could have been a computer expert, you could have been a stand-up comedian, you could have been so many things.

I remember how I would whisper to you at night, asking you where you are, asking you to watch out for us. I begged you to come back, to make everything the same as it was before.

I remember how I used to think that it’s all just a big joke, or a nightmare from which I will wake up, that I’ll just get up in the morning and you’ll be there...and everything would continue as it was.

But today I do not whisper to you any longer. I’m not asking you to come back.

Today the pain is not only the pain of death, but also the pain of loss. Not a burning pain, but like a hand that grabs the inside of your stomach and turns it.

Today I realize how small you were, how really cruel they were.



Please click here to make a contribution to The Koby Mandell Foundation.

"Land Day"

I hope today is a quiet day. I hope not to hear any news. I hope I won't get any phone calls, IM's, SMS's, or have any conversations relating to the current situation in Israel. Just a quiet day. I hope my son won't come home asking more questions about the murders in Itamar or the bomb in Jerusalem. He stumped me today.

On the way to school he said, "Mommy, if Jerusalem is a walled city, how did the person who put the bomb there get in?" I really didn't know how to answer it. On one hand, was I supposed to make it sound like they came in from the outside? But that will destroy his feeling of safety that we have a security fence around our city. Was I supposed to tell him that somehow they got past the security guards and soldiers? That will ruin his faith and secure feelings from the army and police. He then asked, "Did they live there?"
All I could say was that they don't know who did it yet so they don't know how they got in. And I said it was a very good question.

When I got home, I saw an article Shauli sent me about "Land Day". The article can be seen here: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143231

Here are a few excerpts from the article that really got to me. "The boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement, an umbrella network operating worldwide to boycott Israel as part of a delegitimization campaign, has called on anti-Israeli activists around the world to hold solidarity activities with the Arab “Land Day” which is scheduled for Wednesday....
The notice calls on “people of conscience” to join the boycott of Israel....
U.S. events focus on Washington, DC, but are also expected to be held in Seattle and at the University of Arizona, where a model of the Israeli security fence (which organizers term “the apartheid wall”) will be erected..... "

People of conscience......people of conscience.... I'd like to meet these people of conscience and take them by the shoulders and shake them really really really hard. CONSCIENCE???? For example the woman that I previously blogged about who was proud to be a "Jew but a Palestinian sympathizer". CONSCIENCE???? Where the hell was your conscience when murderers snuck into Itamar, entered a families house, and brutally murdered the Fogels. Where the hell was your conscience when they slit the throats of Udi Fogel and his 3 month old daughter, Hadas. When they cut her throat so bad, she was nearly decapitated?? Where the hell was your conscience when Ruth Fogel came out of the bathroom to find her family being slaughtered? And she fought for her life and for the lives of her family? And she was cut up so badly, they couldn't even include the pictures along with the others from the murder scene. What about when they killed 11 year old Yoav, reading in his bed? Or when they stabbed 4 year old, Elad right in his heart?

I think you don't know what a conscience is. Conscience: The awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct together with the urge to prefer right over wrong.
Conscience: motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions .

Morals? Show me their morals. Right over wrong. Not wrong over right. Not even wrong over wrong. Logic. Is there any logic in any of this? I don't see any on either side.
Israel gives land for peace. Palestinians destroy that land, elect a terrorist government, shoot rockets at innocent civilians, and brutally murder the very same people whose houses they now inhabit (unless they destroyed them because they belonged to "filthy Jews".

We are fighting a losing battle. Not because I believe Palestinians are bad people as a whole. I don't. But there are a lot of bad Palestinians out there. And these are the ones with the loudest voices and actions. These are the ones who are somehow running their people. I watched a video yesterday from Palestinian TV. It was a kid's program. While my children sit and watch Bob the Builder and Mr. Maker and Zoboomofoo, Palestinian children are watching this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm8w7_P8wZ0

Our children watch Clifford the Big Red Dog or Barney singing "I love you, you love me" and poor Ahmad and his sister Fatima watch a rabbit vowing that "I, Assud, will finish off the Jews and eat them, Allah willing."

There are countless videos out there showing the programming these kids sit and watch. So how can I ever hope that my children will be able to sit in peace with their children? They are being taught pure hatred of the Jews from before they even enter school.

Back to the article. A "model of the Israeli security fence" (which organizers term “the apartheid wall”) will be set up. I wonder if they are going to set up some ridiculous huge, scary looking wall. Along with signs saying NO ARABS allowed? Spreading more rumors and lies about Big Bad Israel.

Let me tell you about the "apartheid wall". It's a security fence. That's exactly what it is. It was set up to keep the bad guys out (or attempt to). That's what a country needs to do when there are people constantly trying to enter into your cities and blow them up. In most areas it's a little fence with perhaps some barbed wire on the top and hopefully cameras and sensors along it. The purpose is to defend ourselves against a people who only want to wipe us out. They don't even hide that this is their goal.

As for apartheid. "a social policy or racial segregation involving political and economic and legal discrimination against people who are not Whites" or in this case - I guess not Israelis? And Israelis does not mean Jews. There are plenty of Arabs who live in Israel and have Israeli citizenship. And reap the benefits of a normal life. We have no problem living side by side with Arabs. As long as they do not want to kill us. Rather, as long as they don't act on it.

I know I have mentioned this before but if this 2 State solution ever goes through and there is an Israeli state and a Palestinian state - where will apartheid be practiced? In Israel or in Palestine? Israel will continue with it's many immigrants of all different races, nationalities, and religious. Palestine will consist of Arabs. No Jew will be allowed to live there and if somehow they did, I don't imagine it would be long before they are murdered. So who will have the apartheid State?
Do you know what the signs say in Israel before you enter Palestinian controlled areas? I can't remember the exact phrasing but among the wording is any Israeli who enters is endangering their life!

Um, there are no signs like that going into Canada. There are no signs like that going to London. And sadly, it's true. It is dangerous to enter these areas (although most likely we would be stopped before we happened upon Ramallah). I am sure crazy terrorists would just love to get their hands on some Jew who wandered into their city. Remember the Ramallah lynchings in 2000? Two Israelis accidently drove into Ramallah. They were detained by PA policeman and brought to the police station. Word got out and a crowd of more than 1,000 Palestinians gathered at the station, calling for the death of the Israelis. The 2 men were beaten, stabbed, had their eyes gouged out, and were disemboweled. At this point, a Palestinian appeared at the police station window, displaying his blood-stained hands to the crowd, which erupted into cheers. One of the soldier's bodies was then thrown out the window and stamped and beaten by the enraged mob. One of the bodies was set on fire. I believe their bodies were dragged by car to the center of the city for a victory celebration. Wow, that's frightening.

Shauli and I almost drove into a small Arab city near us by accident too. It was the night after the Fogel murders and we were going to visit some friends who live in nearby Pedual. We took a wrong turn and were driving on a small, dark street (following our GPS.....). We both had a bad feeling which was confirmed when we saw a sign written in only Arabic. We hightailed it out of there!!

So for now, we have one State of Israel. We let peaceful Arabs live, work, and go about their business in our country. And we try to keep the bad ones out. WE are not an apartheid state, just a state trying to survive. If a Palestinian State is established, then you'll see an apartheid, Judenrein state.
But at least if there are 2 states, maybe we can actually defend ourselves and our borders.

Thanks for reading. I don't mean to depress you. I owe you a positive post soon about all the reasons that it's great to live here. :)

Triple Blog

I've had so many blogs floating around in my head over the weekend but just haven't had time to sit and write them down. Let's see if I can try to sort out a few of my thoughts.

1. On Friday I read a cousin's post supporting Israel and someone else commenting about how she (the commentor) is Jewish but a Palestinian sympathizer. I can't stop thinking about it. I am torn between wanting to respond to her and telling myself to move along. She has already made up her mind, she has already decided I must be some big bad, Israeli who came in and stole their land, and probably she feels that those "crazy settlers got what they deserved." It's sickening and it makes me want to cry. Anyone who can justify the murder and decapitation of a 3 month old, a 2 year old, and an 11 year old, makes me wonder.....how can we ever make peace with our enemies if even our own kind hate us? Doesn't she realize that they would kill her too in a heartbeat? And then celebrate her death by handing out candy in the streets? Sorry, is that just for the death of a child?

I am a "Palestinian" sympathizer too. I sympathize with any normal, humane Arab who just wants to live their live. I am sure there is an Arab mom out there, with 3 little kids just like me, who just wants to send her kids to school and go out and buy groceries, and live a full, and meaningful life. I am sure she was horrified by the murder of the Fogel Family. I am sure she fears for her children's life and what will happen when they get old enough to go out and become martyrs. Doing this by giving up their own lives. If she is someone who moved into the beautiful Israeli homes in the Gaza Strip, I am sure she is also completely terrorized by her own terrorist government, Hamas. Whose motto is "We love death as much as the Jews love life." But this woman doesn't have the freedom of expressing her fears on the Internet. She is not allowed to disagree with her government. Because she could be killed and tortured for it. I sympathize with you, fellow mother.

2. Jonah said to me today, "Mommy, did you know there was a bomb on a bus in Yerushalayim last week. My friend told me about it". I said "Yes". He said, "How does that happen? Was there a bomb inside the bus?" I told him "no, the bomb was next to the bus". He said "But how did it get there?" I said, "Someone put it there." He said," Wouldn't someone notice a bomb?" I told him they put in a briefcase and explained that we always have to be aware of the things around us and if we ever see a bag or a package sitting on the ground with no one around it, then we need to tell someone. I explained how in Israel, they are always SOO careful and people are always watching to make sure there are no bombs and to keep us safe. He didn't seem terribly concerned, he seemed very matter of fact about it. I was worried about him because he is my "scaredy cat" kid and also the only one old enough to really understand the danger. He somehow jumped back to the Fogel murder in Itamar and asked how they did not know that the terrorists came in. I explained that there was a problem with the security there in that, there were no cameras along their sensor fence. We talked about how it could not happen in Ariel because we do have cameras and we can see anyone and anything at anytime along the fence. I told him we live in a very safe city. I asked him if he was scared and he said "No". I told him what helped him to not be scared and he said "The policeman who lives next door." We have a neighbor policeman (who was actually on duty the night of the Fogel murders and was called to the scene since they are in our jurisdiction, I guess). When I was asking around for someone that Jonah could talk to (as per his request), the policeman among many others volunteered. Jonah has yet to speak to him but is extremely reassured by the fact that we have a neighbor who is a policeman and by the fact that he is willing to talk to him and explain the security in Ariel.

Jonah has decided once again that when he grows up, he would like to be a soccer player, a policeman, and a soldier. So that he can protect everyone from the bad guys.

3. One more and then I am off to bed. There is a Facebook page calling for the 3rd Palestinian Intifada. It's listed as a "cause". 335,621 people "like" this. The page's administrators posted a quotation of a Hadith (Islamic tradition) that is popular with radical groups, which reads, "The hour [of redemption] does not come until the Muslim fight the Jews and even the stones and trees say, 'O Muslim, a Jew is behind me, so kill him.'"

Despite many people reporting this page and many personal requests to Facebook and the creator, Facebook has decided not to remove the page. They want it to be a place where people can openly discuss issues and express their views, while respecting the rights and feelings of others.

"While some kinds of comments and content may be upsetting for someone – criticism of a certain culture, country, religion, lifestyle, or political ideology, for example - that alone is not a reason to remove the discussion."

I am sorry but has the world gone MAD????? Expressing their views by calling for a march into Israel to destroy the Jewish state? "O Muslim, a Jew is behind me, so kill him?" Since when is this OK??? Freedom of speech is one thing but open calls for annihilation of the Jews - a 3rd Intifada? We all know what the 3rd Intifada will be about. Same as the 1st and 2nd. KILL THE JEWS! And this is "ok" due to freedom of speech???

What would happen if The Jewish Agency posted a group called Kill the Arabs. Or decided on May 15th, 2011, they are going to reclaim the land that is rightfully ours. Would the world be quiet then? Would everyone be ok with that? Hard to imagine but mostly because it's so absurd. We don't do things like that.
What about if someone posted a page about Killing all Mormons. Or all African Americans? Kentans? French people? Would that cause some uproar? Yah, I am pretty sure it would. How can people just sit back and watch as open calls for violence are being posted right and left? Is it because so many are crazy leftists and feel the "Settlers" deserve it? It is because they think it's not their problem?
Is this how people felt before the Holocaust? That there was total madness going on around them and the rest of the world was strangely silent?

Don't you get it? WE WANT PEACE!!! We gave you the Gaza Strip in hopes of peace. And what did you do? You elected a terrorist government, Hamas. Whose only purpose is to kill and destroy all Jews and the State of Israel. You took our beautiful homes, gardens, farms, and greenhouses and destroyed them. Acres and acres of land, you destroyed the fruit trees because it was planted and cared for by Jews. Oh, and the peace we talked about? You shoot rocket after rocket into Israel, filling the rockets with pins and nails to maximize the casualties.

Two quotes by Golda Meir sum up my feelings perfectly....

"Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us."
As long as they continue to teach hatred in their schools, it's a losing battle. We can't make peace with those who have taught to hate us since they first learned to read and write.

"We can forgive you for killing our sons. But we will never forgive you for making us kill yours."

And like Dennis Prager says in this Middle East Conflict video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEzvhvOcWEs). What would happen if Israel laid down its arms and promised not to fight anymore? And what about if the Arab countries and the "Palestinians" laid down their weapons and promised not to fight anymore.

In the first scenario, Israel would be destroyed.
In the second scenario, there would be peace the following Wednesday.

Thanks to my loyal blog and Facebook note readers. Please continue reading and COMMENT so I know at least a few people are reading.....

How would YOU feel?

Today I had a meeting with a rep from the Jerusalem Consulate. Apparently, he has a unique position - he is the only person in the Jerusalem Consulate who has anything to do or any contact with Jews (rather, Israelis) living in Judea and Samaria. Everyone else works with the Palestinians. Which is why if you check out the website, you will not see a single thing about Jews/Israelis living in the "West Bank" or Judea and Samaria - Yehuda and Shomron. It is as if we don't exist.....

The meeting was odd. It was cut short and none of us (the few Ariel Olim who were there really got a chance to talk) and the rep did not have a chance to ask the questions he said he had for us.
We started off introducing ourselves. When it got to my turn, I gave my usual shpiel about how we ended up in Ariel and he interrupted me and said that sounds familiar, he thinks he read about me in the Jerusalem Post. A couple months ago I was interviewed for an article which is what he was referring to.
He said that he actually had a specific question for me because he remembered me saying that I did not move to this area for political reasons or to make a stand. And then he went into this long drawn out roundabout way of asking "What would I do if/when Ariel loses it's status as an Israeli city and becomes part of a Palestinian State?" I was totally thrown off. It's not that I was exactly surprised that he asked this question. It just came on so suddenly, I guess. And it was directed at me. And the way he made it sound was as if he truly believed it would happen.
I did not know how to respond. Looking back, there are a lot of ways I could have answered. But at the time I said "Listen.....I am just a regular person trying to live my life. I want to raise my children in a place we call home, where we feel comfortable, and where we belong. In a place that I feel safe. I'm just trying to live my life in peace." I said that I do my part, on a small scale, to work towards peace. We have Arab workers that do landscaping and clean up in the city and I make a point to say good morning and smile to them. Because I am only one person living my life and that is what I can do. I just want to live peacefully and happily.
The problem is how can we do that with so many people that don't want that? They have no interest in living peacefully with us. They want to push us into the sea and wipe us off the face of the earth..... As far as giving them Ariel, it would be complete suicide. In terms of a defensive point of view (and I began rambling at this point and just forgetting my words in general), it would be crazy. And I don't believe it will ever happen. If G-d forbid, it does, we'll see.

I think how I should have responded is as follows:

Tell me this. What would you do? How would you feel if you were living your life, trying to be a good person and raise your children the right way and terrorists began trying to kill you off one by one? What if your friends were stabbed to death and their children's throats were slit by monsters? Their hearts stabbed?
And then what if your government let them win? And gave them your house, your city, and your life? How would you feel?

More Thoughts from Samaria

I went to pick up Sammy on Sunday and spent a few minutes talking with the gannenet and the helper (sayaat). We were talking about the Fogel family and how they were so involved in the community when they lived in Ariel. I was trying to figure out if any of their kids were in Gan with Jonah. The sayaat thought he may have been with Jonah at some point. I'm not sure.

While we were talking, some other Netzarim parents came to pick up their kids. And they looked so sad and heartbroken. Most likely, they knew the Fogels. I looked at the kids still sitting in the circle, at their beautiful, innocent faces. Thinking it was their friends that this happened to, it could have been them, it could have been their family. Such beautiful, innocent children, like the children murdered in their beds.
And I almost broke down. My eyes filled up with tears and I said, "I can't. I'm sorry, I just can't" and I had to walk out of there. I had tears streaming down my face as we left the Gan. And at the same time, I didn't want Sammy to know anything was wrong. I wanted to sit down on the curb and just cry and cry. Cry for the innocent lives that were taken. For the little children who will never have another birthday. And for the beautiful orphans who will never have another birthday without missing their parents.
And I was so thankful for my beautiful child, safe and by my side. Chattering away as we walked home. With his Indian face paint and headdress. May he never know from such pain. May he never know anyone killed in a terrorist attack.

The prime minister went to visit the family while they were sitting shiva. It can be seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7LSDUdiu2A

The prime minister's answer was to build. He told the orphans, "They kill and we build." The little boy said "What will happen if you do something? Will America do something to you?"
This poor little boy whose parents and siblings were murdered while he slept. It just as easily could have been him. And the prime minister tells him, we will build houses in response.

I am sorry. I think that is a crap answer. Look at all the outcry from the world when we do build houses. Everyone is up in arms then. Where is that same outcry, where are those voices when a family is slaughtered?
There are reports that the 3 month old baby was decapitated....I can't begin to fathom.

And our response is to build houses? I know that we are peaceful people and that all we want to do is live our lives. But if America or whoever we are afraid of is going to yell in response to us building houses, let them yell in response to something real. We need to take care of ourselves and our people. And if America won't stand up for us when we are being murdered, then we need to stand up for ourselves.

But I don't have an answer. I want those murderers caught and punished. But in reality, there is no punishment that fits the crime.

Someone suggested this: "I think the world should make the bad guys give back Gilad Shalit as a tikkun for the Fogels. It wont help bring them back but we'd all feel a little better."

I agree. We can't bring them back. And while we will feel a little bit better once they are caught, there is no punishment that can be done to the murderers that will make us feel better about what happened. So we need to do something else.
While one family has been shattered and nothing can make that better or take that pain away, at least another family can be reunited.

Today, Gilad Shalit has been in captivity for 5 years. Bring him home. Do whatever it takes to bring him home and reunite him with has parents.

Bring some light unto the darkness that we are all feeling. Bring some happiness into the sadness.

Please G-d, may the killers be found today and brought to justice. May the Fogel children and grandparents and family and friends be comforted ... somehow. May light shine onto them and peace be brought to their hearts. May the horrific memories be wiped clean.

May we all celebrate Purim with the news that Gilad Shalit has been returned to us.

And may the rest of the world see the reality of our lives in Israel and support us in protecting our families. And if they don't want to support us, may they at least shut their freakin mouths because they don't have a clue.

Sigh.....

A 6 year old's view

I wasn't sure how to handle the Fogel's murder with Jonah or Sammy. A lot of the kids in Sammy's Gan are from Netzarim which is where the Fogel's lived until about a year ago. So pretty much everyone from there knew them. I didn't know if kids that age were aware of what happened or had overheard their parents talk about it.

At Gan pick-up, I asked the Gannenet if anything was said about it. She said in the morning meeting she asked if anyone had anything they wanted to share or talk about or ask about. No one brought it up so neither did she. Luckily our kids can remain blissfully innocent for that much longer.

I was more concerned about Jonah. He is older, understands more, and is scared of EVERYTHING. He is also in school where there are certainly people that know what happened. I didn't know if the school said something or some special prayers or if other kids brought it up. When I picked him up, I asked if anything special happened today or if he wanted to talk about anything. He said no. (His usual answer).

Once we got home, he asked as we were walking up the stairs if I had seen the Chadashot (news) today. I said yes. He said "What was on it? Can you tell me?" I asked him if he heard about what was on it and to tell me what he heard. He asked why and I said because I want to know what he heard and who told him.

He said his friend told him and that there were 2 mechablim (terrorists) that went into someone's house and killed the parents and 3 kids while they were asleep. And that a neighbor came and rescued the other 2 kids. He asked if that was right and I said yes. He then went into a huge rant about how if he sees the Mechablim he will call his friend or his friend will call him and they will fight them and kick them and punch them. He was very adamant about that!

I asked how he felt about it and if he wanted to talk about it at all. He said he just wants to hurt those Mechablim. Maybe he said kill them, not sure. I told him there was a rally to show our support for them where people will be singing and holding Israeli flags and signs and being together if he wants to go. He was not interested. Then he said he needed to practice fighting the Mechablim.

A little later, I think it started sinking into Jonah. He must have realized that if he sees the Mechablim, that means they are here. And that started to scare him. He asked if the mechablim could come here. I said no. He said why not. I said we have very good security and cameras and a special fence, chayalim, and guards that watch everyone who comes into Ariel. He asked, even at night? I said even at night. He asked what if they fall asleep and I explained how they take turns and some sleep during the day and then stay up at night.

Then he said he has to call his friend and tell him that the terrorists can't come here.

Of course the topic didn't come up again until bedtime. He started off asking Shauli questions. Said he knows that they can't come in with cars through the gate but what if they brought an airplane in. Shauli explained about how Israel knows everyone who is flying over Israel and makes sure they are good guys.
He was trying to figure out if there were other ways they could get in.

Sammy, who kept saying again and again how he is not scared of anything, suggested "what if they ARE Jews that come in through the gate but they are bad guy Jews....". I explained that the chayalim don't let any bad people in. Jewish, not Jewish, no bad people are allowed in.

Jonah asked, well, didn't they have a fence in Itamar? That was a harder one to explain. I tried to make it sound somewhat removed from us and remind him that it could never never happen here. I said our fence has cameras and we can see everyone and everything happening around Ariel.

Jonah asked if he could speak to a soldier or policeman about the security system. Apparently, my Mommy knowledge didn't cut it. He wanted details. He wanted answers. I told him that was a great idea and I would find out who he can talk to. I mentioned that our neighbor is a policeman so maybe we can talk to him. And I mentioned a few dad's of his friends who were in the army. I reminded him that he has a few uncles that were in the army and they could probably explain how security works.

Eventually, he went to bed. I spoke to a few friends and got a list of quite a number of people that would be happy to talk to him. People in our shul, parents in the school, even other random friends of friends, family. I also figured I would go into the school and see what they suggest. I really really really wanted to help Jonah feel safe.

This morning, we woke up and shortly before we went to school, I told Jonah that I thought I would come with him to school and talk to the principal and see if he knows anyone that Jonah can talk to. I also said I found out about so many people that are happy to talk to him and explain security in Ariel. I started listing people and telling him, see how many people are around protecting us and we didn't even know it???

He asked one more question. Can someone dig a hole and come into Ariel. I said no. He said why not and I said it just wouldn't happen. Ok, not my greatest answer......

So then I asked if he wanted to talk to one of these people. He said "nope. I said really? Why not?" And he said, "Well, I feel a lot better after you explained it all to me. I don't need to talk to anyone."

And that was that. For now.

Feelings, Words, Yet no comfort....

I saw someone today and I said good morning. I didn't feel it but I said it because it seems the normal greeting. What am I supposed to say...
He replied "Good morning. At least as good as it can be..."

This is Adar, the happiest month of the year. Where everyday feels like a party in Israel. It's a beautiful day outside. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping. Yet, there is a horrible gloom and sadness over all of us.

I can't stop thinking about it.
I can't stop thinking about them. The victims. The beautiful family stabbed to death in their home. They used to live in Ariel. The father looks familiar. I have probably seen him/them around. The kids could have been any one of my kid's friends. It could have been my friends. It could have been us. This is so close to home. I can't stop thinking. I want to curl up into a ball and cry. Just cry and cry and cry. And there is no comfort.

At 2:00 Friday morning I woke up to a helicopter flying over Ariel. That in itself doesn't happen very often. A few minutes later, I heard another one. Very close and flying very slowly. I looked outside to see if I could see anything but didn't. A few minutes went by and another helicopter passed. I knew something was up. The army doesn't do training exercises on Shabbat. Not that I generally hear training exercises over Ariel anyway.

I checked on the kids, knowing if Jonah woke up he would be bothered by the noise. I stood at the top of the stairs and surveyed my kitchen. What was going through my head? That perhaps there was an intruder that got into Ariel and they were looking for him? Maybe. I had no idea. I took comfort in the fact that we have a police man neighbor so if something was up, I figured he would know about it. If there was immediate danger, I imagine we would know.... maybe? I went downstairs thinking to myself, and what if there is someone in my house? Then what? I don't have a weapon or anything. The Cutco knives are all the way across the room.

Many lights were on because we don't turn on/off electricity on Shabbat so that made it easier to look around. I checked the kitchen, opened the laundry room door and locked the back door. We live in a safe neighborhood and don't always lock all the doors. I checked the front door which was locked and locked the one side of the sliding glass door that locks. If anyone tried to get in the other side, the "tris" is in the way and would make a fair amount of noise. Another helicopter and another go by. I imagine there is something going on. But hope it's pre-emtive. Maybe they got warning of a potential attack and are just keeping the peace....
Eventually I get back to bed.

Don't hear anything the next day. I mention it in passing to Shauli. Tell him to let me know if anyone says anything in shul. But I don't think much more about it.

Saturday night I go online and the first post I see on a Facebook friend's status is a link to a murder of a family in Samaria. We live in Samaria/the West Bank. I read further and see it happened in a small community called Itamar about 20 minutes away from us. We've been there before. To visit a beautiful farm. It's close to Shchem and our friends in Har Bracha. Yes, the location where not too long ago they decided to "relax security measures and dismantle checkpoints". I knew that would lead to no good. What kind of security minister relaxes checkpoints where we know terrorists and weapons are being smuggled in? That logic escapes me. Peace? Is that what he is attempting? A gesture? Why don't you open just hold open the f-ing door for the murderers?

Someone scaled the fence in Itamar and the fence has an alarm that goes off when it is touched. A soldier went to check it out but saw no cuts in the fence and no footsteps or anything else around. So he assumed it was an animal. Well, it was an animal. A different kind of animal. A deadly, killing machine. Someone who has been programmed since infancy to hate and kill me and my people.

This was around 10pm. He went to one house but it was empty. He went to the Fogel's house but there was a big group of Bnei Akiva kids there. And so he waited. Until they left - the family's daughter among them. And he waited some more.

The terrorist (or terrorists) entered the house through the living room picture window, did not notice the 8-year-old boy sleeping on the couch and continued on to the bedroom where they slashed the throats of the father and newborn baby who were sleeping there. A 3 month old baby. Innocent baby. He slashed her little throat? The mother came out of the bathroom and was stabbed on its threshold. The evidence shows that she tried to fight the terrorists.

Can you imagine? Coming out of the bathroom to come face to face with a murderer?

They then slashed the throat of the 11-year old-son who was reading in bed. They did not notice the 2-year old asleep in his bed, but murdered the 3-year old with two stabs to his heart. After that, they locked the door, exited through the window and escaped.

Exactly two hours after the infiltration, there was another warning signal from the same spot on the fence, as the terrorists left the way they had come. Once again, the patrol did not identify the source of the signal as infiltration.

The 12-year-old daughter returned home at 00:30 and found the door locked. She asked a neighbor to help her. He brought a weapon with him once he noticed tracks and mud near the house. The two woke up the 8-year old sleeping in the living room by calling through the window and when he opened the door, the Rabbi returned to his home.

When she entered the bedrooms, the young daughter saw the horrific bloodsoaked scene and ran out of the house screaming. The neighbor ran back and fired several shots in the air to alert security personnel. Within a short time, large police and IDF forces arrived and began intensive searches to see if the terrorists were still in the community. At 03:30 a.m., military trackers discovered footprints leading to the Arab village of Avrata.

I can't stop reading. I can't stop replaying these scenes in my head. How? How? How? How can a person slash a 3 month old babies throat? An 11 year old reading in bed. Stab a 3 year old in the heart? It's not human. It's just not human.

How will this 12 year old girl be able to go to sleep every night without horrific nightmares of the scene? Of seeing almost her entire family brutally, horribly murdered.

Graphic pictures have been released of the family. To show the world what brutality and terror looks like.
WARNING: Graphic

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/142846

There are other pictures elsewhere of Palestinians handing out candies in celebration of their success. I read an article on CNN and then I read the comments. And there are so many blaming this family, blaming people like me, for just trying to live our lives peacefully, quietly, normally. All we want is quiet. All we ask for is a land promised to us for thousands of years. A piece of land the size of New Jersey.
We try and we try. We give and we give. This family gave up what was probably a beautiful home in Gaza. They were thrown out in the name of peace. And what happened? They came to Ariel and lived in a caravan. And then they moved to Itamar, where they were able to buy a new home. To start fresh. And then..... 6 months or a year after they moved, they were murdered by the very people they gave up everything for.

Israel has the best army in the world. Sadly, we also seem to have the weakest government. Everyone is condemning this act now. Expressing sorrow for the family. But what about action? I imagine we'll let about 50 more Arab terrorists go. Ya know, in the name of peace. I imagine after 2 weeks, we'll relax the checkpoints again. Come on in, bring your weapons, bring your hatred. Let us lay down for you so you don't dirty your feet. And while I'm at it, why don't you stab me in the back?

This is war. Rockets are being shot at our homes. Babies are being murdered in their beds. This is WAR. Why does no one see that???????????????

Dear G-d, have mercy on us. Let me continue to shield my children from the violence as long as I can. I will continue to explain to them that not all Arabs are bad. I believe it. I know there are some Arabs out there, who just want to live in peace. Who can't stand up to their government because they will be KILLED.

But I know that hatred is being taught to so many many more. And the terrorists were probably about 20-25 years old. Their entire life, hatred of the filthy Jew has been taught to them. Even on their children's TV programming. Barney sings about the beauty of becoming a martyr.
Where are their songs of peace? Where are their songs of living a quiet, fulfilling life and being good, hardworking people? Why are their songs about pushing the Jews into the sea until there are no more left?

How can we sit and talk peace with a person who only knows hate? Please...explain it to me. How we can sit across the table from someone who would slit a babies throat and stab a 3 year old 2 times in the heart? I'm sorry - but that is not human. And it's not someone who wants peace.

In one week is the holiday of Purim. A time when G-d was hidden but the Jewish people triumphed over their enemies. Haman was hanged on the gallows instead of Mordechai. Please G-d, have mercy on us and help us triumph over evil.

Please bring those murderous sons of b's to justice. Please give the government of Israel the strength to stand up and protect itself.

And it's citizens.

People like me.

People like you......

What did YOU do today?

This seemed a bit too long for a status on Facebook. But I had already written it out. I felt it should be recorded somewhere. What an insane day.
So to the blog it is.....which will then be imported to Facebook....

Today's Schedule.
6:45am wake-up
7:30am - take all kids to school/gan/babysitter
8-10:30 work.
10:45-12:30 errands and grocery shopping
12:30 - more grocery shopping at 2nd store
1:30-3:30 - Sammy has 2 friends over to play. In the meantime Jonah disappears on the way to a friend's house. Apparently he and his friend walked one way and the friend's mom walked another. Oops.
3:30 - Various gan/babysitter pickup/dropoff.
4:30 - Birthday party with Sammy and Kayla.
5:30 - Pick up Jonah and friend to take to another bday party.
6:15 - Stop by second bday party with Sammy and Kayla.
6:30 - Doctor with Kayla (and Sammy in tow).
7:15 - Back to pick up Jonah and friend from party.

Leaving in 15 minutes for a birthday dinner with Kayla's metapelet. All the mommies are taking her out. At least it will be a nice end to a busy day.

And what did you do today?