Hamas rockets – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Southern Israel Red Alerts in Alumim

March 31, 2019Sharon A

Sometimes you have to get out of Jerusalem, Israel, to appreciate the view.

All this rain we have been having may dampen our spirits, but it is fabulous for making the countryside green.

From the roads leading out of Jerusalem the valley is at its best.

Once on the road south, you see flat land and wires stretched across it.

Farmers working between the rain storms along the way.

February and March, and southern Israel is famous for its red flower festival.

However, once again southern Israel has red alerts, not flowers.

The sign at Kibbutz Alumim was the same as on our previous visit in December 2012.

The electric security fence was opened carefully for our arrival.

The green fields of the agricultural kibbutz stretched into the distance.

But it you turned around, another sign warned of the Gaza border ahead.

From the fields of Kibbutz Alumim, the Gaza border and buildings beyond are clearly in view.

Because of missiles and rockets fired from Gaza at southern Israel, these bomb shelters are situated next to the factory. Workers have seconds to get inside to safety when a red alert warns of an oncoming projectile.

Alumim has two Iron Domes positioned for protection from Hamas and its rockets.

Why live in southern Israel? It’s beautiful. Israelis have made the desert bloom.

When Hamas is not firing these missiles, it is a wonderful place.

Long time resident Esther took time to share with us a bit of her story.

Rafi’s house, and every home, has a bomb shelter bedroom. Sealed rooms have again become a necessity with nightly rockets from Gaza.

Twenty years living under fire from Gaza. Esther and others try to keep a positive attitude, to make music chimes from missiles.

Kibbutz Alumim had no red alerts when we were there last week, after a night of terror when a house in Sderot was hit. However, the newest round of red alerts included Alumim. The residents of southern Israel are weary, tired of red alerts, and want to go back to being known for their red flowers.

Week 3: Crazy Times of War and Weddings

July 29, 2014rjstreets

Another crazy week trying to keep everything going.

Signs supporting Golani soldiers are appearing

and Israeli flags are flying, with more out every day.

Israel is under threat.

Those tunnels from Gaza into Israel have proven deadly,

and last night five young soldiers were killed in Israel

by terrorists emerging from the ground near a kibbutz.

The tunnels have to be destroyed.

Meanwhile, countless missions, private and public,

are driving south to give food and personal items to

reserve soldiers who are on duty.

Family members have gone to visit my son-in-law more than once.

Even an unexpected call from a soldier can take a few minutes to appreciate,

after the ‘what is wrong’ feeling is over.

Everyone wants to do something, give money, bake, cook,

but there was one unusual “war effort” I had to go check out and share.

Morah Roc is a professional story teller.

She offered to entertain children one afternoon,

with all the donations going to a good cause

to support those affected by the situation.

Signs are up for the annual International Puppet Festival in August

and we continue to plan for our August wedding.

This evening there is a funeral at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery

for a soldier from our synagogue,

and at the same time, the Great Synagogue is holding

the shloshim (30 days of mourning) observance for Eyal, Gilad and Naftali.

At this roller coaster time, we often think of words of Golda Meir.

If only they cared for their children as much as we do.

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Two soldiers on reserve duty get engaged,

and there is another wedding to plan.

It’s good to have good news to share,

even as more rockets are fired at southern civilians.

25 New Reasons There’s Hope for Future in Israel

December 25, 2012rjstreets

Human Rights Watch finally called Hamas’ firing on Israel a “war crime,”

however, a month after Operation Pillar of Defense,

new rockets were launched toward Israel from Gaza that fell short.

As the year 2012 comes to an end, how about some good news?

Last week I got out of Jerusalem, Israel, and went south,

near the Gaza border, where the sign was only in Hebrew and Arabic.

Kinneret was kind enough to show me around Kibbutz Alumim,

whose fields are 4 kilometers from Gaza, which can be seen in the distance.

Carrots from the fields are sorted in this factory,

whose bomb shelter is at its entrance.

Another shelter is placed on the children’s playground

and all the housing has safe rooms added on.

Alumim also has cows and avocado trees,

and impressive sunsets.

Like a pearl that started from a grain of sand in the ocean,

in this seemingly unlikely place, and because of “the situation”

a new program began called Southern Task Force-Yonatan

or Mechinat Yonatan, for Yoni Netanyahu.

Started last year by a few idealistic girls who found others on Facebook,

this co-ed, religious group of 25 young people

are taking a year after high school to work on the kibbutz,

study Torah, and volunteer in schools in nearby cities.

They get up early and work hard, but still find time to relax,

and all of them plan to join the army next year.

With young leaders like these, I say we have 25 new reasons to hope

for a better future in Israel.

The young people I spoke with talked of wanting

to work the land, learn Torah, and make a difference.

As 2012 comes to an end, can you think of a better hope for the future?

To see more photos, click HERE.