Ziv Hagbi (left)
December 29, 2008 / 2 Tevet 5769
The conversation with Ziv Hagbi was cut short: a Red Alarm in Sderot forced Ziv and his friends to turn off their cell phones, and close the windows and door to their bomb shelter. Although they had spent the entire day – and previous days – indoors, they treated themselves to a few hours during quiet periods to some fresh air and natural light.
The past few days have been similar for many Sderot residents – from senior citizens to children and babies, workers and teachers – daily life has virtually ceased. Everything is closed, including schools and public community centers. There is no shopping. No learning. No playing on the streets. And sometimes, no talking on cell phones.
Michal Kakoon |
For Michal Kakoon, the chaos is worrisome. As a mother and teacher, Michal feels responsible for at least 33 children in Sderot – both from her own family and from her classroom. She has succeeded in locating at least one-third of her students by phone, speaking to them about their fears and feelings, assuaging their concerns, and, hopefully, helping them to think of the brighter days ahead. "The situation is very hard on children," Michal explains, "staying indoors all day, in the bomb shelter no less – and without knowing when school or normal life will resume." Michal has currently moved with her family to Beer Sheva to escape the immediate danger in Sderot, but her heart is still in Sderot. She is actively working to contact all her students and their families still in Sderot and help them find options to take the children out of Sderot and into other frameworks, including Jewish Agency response programs.
Tamir Erez |
Tamir Erez is also worried about the children he works with through the Hapoel Keter Tel Aviv soccer program, supported by the Jewish Agency. Although the program has ceased operations because of budget cuts, Tamir remains in close contact with them – even today. "Life here in Sderot is not easy these days and is certainly not simple," Tamir says with a sigh. "But after eight years of suffering incessant threats to our daily life, I am willing to suffer a few days – even weeks – in a bomb shelter, if it means there will ultimately be a long-term solution."
Even after the warning siren subsides, and he can resume a bit more 'freedom', Ziv Hagbi agrees. "This is a small price to pay for peace," Ziv believes. When asked if many of his friends have relocated to central or northern Israel, Ziv replies, "My friends and I are not going anywhere. Sderot is our home and we will be here when the last siren ends and life resumes."
The Jewish Agency is on-the-ground responding to the needs of citizens as events unfold in Israel's southern communities. For the many beneficiaries we have already helped in Sderot and nearby communities, the Jewish Agency has been and continues to be, a critical agent in helping individuals and communities get back on their feet. To read more about how the Jewish Agency has helped its beneficiaries, click on their names: Ziv, Michal and Tamir.