Thank you Yad l’Ami

I live in Moshav Netiv Ha’Asara. We live on the border with Gaza. Our homes are surrounded by a high wall. Our moshav is green and beautiful. It was established on white sand dunes not far from the beach. This is the place my husband Uri and I chose to set up our home and raise 4 children.

About 20 years ago, the first rockets started to fall on our place. Since then we have enjoyed quiet periods of time but also many days during which we have been bombarded with rockets and mortars. When the alarm sound is heard we have merely 5 seconds before the explosion is heard. In these moments we run as fast as we can to the shelter.

When there are children or adults who need help we take them first to the shelter. The overriding thought is that a rocket will explode on us imminently. We hardly breath, the whole body trembles and existential fear overwhelms us. Very often, we are not together when the alarm sounds. Sometimes we are nowhere near the shelter. We have to act quickly to save our lives. Each of the residents in the moshav, child or adult, carries with them the terrible experience of fear, loss of control, and disorientation.

Since we live directly on the border fence we experience additional dangers. We fear constantly that terrorists will break into the moshav either by climbing over the wall or through underground tunnels, or via the beach, and this bothers us continually.

When the alarm siren is heard, we run and hide in the shelter in order to save our lives. Often we remain at home for long periods of time; we close ourselves off mentally and physically from the world. Life with uncertainty is very hard; how can we make decisions? Do we send the kids to school? Can we leave for work?

One of the biggest challenges for the healing of a traumatized community is to help people open up and muster their energy to leave the home, to meet with others, to share, and to relax. For years, we in the moshav have been creating many activities for children and adults in order to make life attractive and meaningful. The best cure is the feeling of communal solidarity, knowing that we are not alone. This gives us the strength to carry on and see the beauty in our life and value the community.

Yad L’Ami under the leadership of Ria is helping us create space for communal activities where we all meet. They support us in our efforts to remain strong and positive. I feel that Yad L’Ami is very much touched by the hard realities of life here. They care tremendously about us and give us the warm hug we so badly need. I am always amazed that when people and customers are afraid to visit us, Ria is the one who arrives, with groups! For that, I wish to thank you, Ria, from the bottom of my heart! The knowledge that there are such good people who care is empowering and brings tranquility to our hectic lives.

With highest appreciation, 

Zameret Zamir