Shabbat in Jerusalem:  December 1, 2012

          Shabbat is supposed to be a day of rest but when one only has one full day in Jerusalem rest has to be put aside.  I will start with a powerful visit that actually took place right after Havdalah.  Talia Levanon a social worker came to talk to the group.  Her specialty is treating people and communities in regards to trauma.  Not only has she worked in Israel but recently has been in Toulouse, France and NYC after Super Storm Sandy.  Unfortunately Israelis have become experts in this field and have offered their help all over the world.

          Talia explained that with the Gulf War in 1991 no longer was the issue of battlefield trauma only in regards to the front line troops.  Since then the general population has also been deeply affected by violence, terrorism, bombings and various attacks.  In the South of Israel alone over 13,000 rockets have been fired against them in the past 12 years.  There are children who have never known anything outside of the threats of such attacks.  In some border communities there is no lead time when a rocket or mortar is fired, in Sdereot one has 15 seconds to find appropriate shelter and now in Tel Aviv with the latest events one has only a minute to find cover.  People in places like Tel Aviv, Rishon Letziyon and Modi’in must now prepare themselves and their children what to do when they hear the “red alert” (tzeva adom) alarm.  People now have anxiety attacks for many reasons in the areas surrounding Gaza caused by loud noises or even the color red.

          One of our group even asked what type of trauma support they have in Gaza.  Talia said that since Operation Cast Lead a few years ago it has become almost impossible to make contact in this area in regards to support for trauma victims. She also explained some of the systemic work in this area before, during and after attacks.  This talk helped us set the scene for tomorrow’s visit to the southern area surrounding Gaza.

          Earlier in the day I had time to visit my good friend George who has a photo shop in the Old City.  His son Eli was at the American consulate setting up an exhibition of their historic photographs from George’s father.

          The group activity started with a guided tour of the fairly recently renovated Israel Museum.  Our tour educator demonstrated how to use the museum as a trigger for many discussions in regards to Israel and Judaism.  I was also able to view the wonderful exhibit on Hasidic Jews which will now be closing.  Someone commented how their approach to life and Judaism may have similar roots to ours but in so many ways the gap makes it look like we come from two different worlds. 

          Our next stop was to a section at the end of the Haas Promenade overlooking Jerusalem with views of surrounding Palestinian villages  and the Judean Desert.  We discussed some of the political situation and keyed in on the separation fence/wall.

We returned to the hotel for a meeting with my dear friend David Leichman who spoke of ARZA’s  Mifgash (meeting or encounter) program when American groups come to Israel.  He was accompanied by his wife Rabbi Miri Gold, who represented the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism in the long case to get some non-Orthodox rabbis recognition to be paid by the government as do the Orthodox.  It is always wonderful to connect with friends.  I was given a gift of a baseball cap from team Israel from the recent World Baseball Tournament.  David and Miri’s son played on the Israeli team.  This meeting concluded with Havdalah.

My final activity for the evening was to take Jason and Gavi Fenster to dinner.  They are both doing well while Jason is in his first years at HUC and Gavi is studying at the Conservative Yeshiva.  Unfortunately Lisa Mendler and Zack were returning from Tzefat and were unable to join us. 

Tomorrow is going to be a long day; on the bus at 7:30 am.