4 minute read
Israel Oct. 7, 2023
By Rene Geist
A note from Shelley Lieb and Ida Margolis – Many members of GenShoah have a special understanding of tragedy and trauma that results because of hatred. The recent terrorist attacks in Israel were horrific and hit close to our hearts. We try to understand why such tragedy happens. We had hoped that “never again” would mean just that. How many times must these tragedies occur before all people can truly commit to peace?
Many of our GenShoah SWFL members have family and friends in Israel. Members and snowbirds to this area, Rene and Sam Geist, were visiting their children and grandchildren in Israel when the terrorist action by Hamas began. When they returned safely to Canada, we asked Rene to write about that experience so we could share it with the larger community.
Never in my life will I forget the screams of my granddaughter, Shoshi, on Oct. 7, 2023 waking me out of my sleep at 6:35 a.m. as she yelled for me to get into the Miklat (bomb shelter) in the basement of their house. We had 90 seconds to get inside, lock the door and wait for the allclear so we could get out.
Our vacation in Israel with our son and his family in Ra’anana, a town just northwest of Tel Aviv, abruptly ended. With it came the onslaught of endless media discussion and dissemination of online news. I felt helpless. The statistics, now widely known, need no repetition. Each one represents a real person, someone’s baby, child or grandparent, mother or father, young soldier or elderly hostage.
Israel is at war.
Israel is a small country. Its citizens perform all jobs. One neighbor is a garbage collector. The next one is a bus driver, teacher, clerk or doctor. However, during an emergency, during a war everyone is a recruit in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). Everyone works together. Everyone collects clothes for the soldiers. Everyone distributes food. We are all one.
As the demands on our four grandchildren, Mimi, Ilana, Shoshi and Yoni, changed and changed again, I clearly recognized the difference between being at war in our homeland and being at war from a distance. Our son and daughterin-law have three daughters in uniform and a son who works in an MDA ambulance. (The Magen David Adom is Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service. The name means "Red Shield" or "Red Star of David.”)
Ilana was required to have her uniform tailored sharply. Why? So she would represent the IDF with dignity at funerals.
Shoshi, just two weeks into basic training, demonstrated pride in herself and her accomplishments far beyond her age and experience.
Yoni not only served his shifts excellently, he created a fund to purchase a new MDA motorcycle, which is of high priority.
Mimi and a friend baked hundreds and hundreds of cookies to give to those who needed a little treat. They were appreciated for more than their sweet taste.
The stories to be told continue on and on. A close family friend moved to Israel and joined the IDF a year ago. His responsibilities now include washing the bodies of those soldiers who have died in the war before their burial. How very difficult to undertake such a heart-wrenching duty.
In the privacy of Aaron and Sara’s house, I was able to ask, “Is this what it takes to unite Jews? Why does antisemitism blossom and hate grow in the bosom of extremism?”
As I watched Israelis on the street, my family in their home and the TV for the news, I thought about my own perspectives as a Jew, a mom, a Bubbie and the daughter of two Holocaust survivors. Those of you who are survivors know
exactly the images that caused me the most horror, the biggest tears, the most sleepless nights. For me, war is as devastating now as it was then.
GenShoah SWFL is a group for children and descendants of Holocaust survivors as well as anyone interested in the mission of GenShoah of SWFL, which is:
• Promotion of Holocaust education and human rights
• Preservation of history and memories of the Holocaust
• Connecting the Second Generation with one another
• Support of the Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center
Our group is open to all interested people. There are no dues or attendance requirements. If you would like to receive our newsletter and program announcements, just send us an email at liebro@gmail.com.
