The current war has not been a joyride. It was quite stressful when our son spent three months in Gaza. We were so grateful when his unit was sent home for a few days in January. This was the first time they had been sent home all at once for such a long period. My daughter-in-law gave birth during that time, and my son was able to accompany her to the birth. This was not something taken for granted at that time. Some soldiers managed to leave the field and meet their wives at the hospital when they gave birth. Those instances were often newsworthy, as many did not even manage to do that.
Our son returned to his base several days after the birth to take care of logistics before being discharged. When he davened Shacharis in the shul on the base, he named his daughter and benched Gomel at the same time. Mazal tov and baruch Hashem!
In February, our son was called to serve once again. He was happy to be reunited with the chayalim of his unit. As reservists, they were allowed to go home for short visits during this stint. The boys had a burner with pots and would prepare pasta, vegetable tortillas, and other delicacies. Chayalim coming from home would bring eggs and they would cook shakshuka. My son had access to a pakal, a kit used to make coffee outdoors. It is very popular with soldiers, especially reservists. He would mix the hot water with cold water and have an experience similar to what we would call a shower. As there was no running water, this was a good thing.
Shabbos was particularly nice. My son spent a lot of Shabbos talking to Michael Gal, a 29-year-old irreligious soldier in his unit. My son describes Michael as a pure soul. During Shalosh S’udos, a group of chayalim, including my son, sang slow and moving songs while sitting in a spot overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Michael joined them and asked that they sing “Tzam’ah L’cha Nafshi.” Of course, they did. The next morning, my son went home for a visit. Tragically, Michael was killed in battle that morning. My son did not go straight home. Instead, he went to Har Herzl to carry the casket at Michael’s funeral. So sad.
I visited my son at his base when he and his fellow chayalim were training before going into Gaza. My son gave me a private tour, which was a treat. I requested and received authorization from the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit to share my experience with my readers at the Queens Jewish Link.
When my son and I passed the guard and entered his base, we were greeted by the smokey smell of a sizzling barbecue, provided by a group from Ra’anana. He introduced me to his commanders. I jokingly (kind of) asked one commander if he would mind if I took my son back home. He answered that he usually brings all of his soldiers back home. B’ezras Hashem, he will do it again.
My son showed me the shul, dining room, canteen, Yizkor area, and relaxation area. He also pointed out the Achzarit (heavily armored personnel carrier) that he drives. It was nice to see where my son spends his time and get a taste of his army life.
We are now deep in preparation for our daughter’s upcoming wedding. Our simchah is around the corner, but it also feels far away. We are unsettled. Our son and future son-in-law are back in Gaza. Back to the lack of contact, running to answer phone calls of numbers we don’t recognize (it may be our son who was able to borrow a phone), worrying, and more worrying. To stay calm one day, I decided to listen to music, instead of the news, when I drove. But when they kept interrupting the music to announce red alerts, it didn’t help. We did get a call from our son several days ago when he was back in Israel for a short time while they installed a refrigerator in his Achzarit that will enable them to carry pints of blood. Carrying blood in the field can save the lives of the wounded. Hopefully, nobody will need it.
Our two boys are serving in the same battalion. B’ezras Hashem, we look forward to their return in time for the wedding. Until then, we will wait and daven.
Please continue to daven for the recovery of the wounded, the release of the remaining hostages, and the success and safe return of all the chayalim and security personnel.
Suzie Steinberg, (nee Schapiro), CSW, is a native of Kew Gardens Hills and resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh who publishes articles regularly in various newspapers and magazines about life in general, and about life in Israel in particular. Her recently published children’s book titled Hashem is Always With Me can be purchased in local Judaica stores as well as online. Suzie can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and would love to hear from you.
