More than 1,200 residents of Beit Shemesh are currently living in hotels in Yerushalayim after a tragic missile attack. Evacuations like this are not new to Israel; families from the north and south have been moved to the center of the country on several occasions. But this time, it is the residents of Beit Shemesh—who once hosted evacuees from other areas—who have had to leave their homes. The Beit Shemesh municipality is doing its utmost to support the evacuees, as well as the city’s remaining residents, during this challenging time.
Shmuel Greenberg, Mayor of Beit Shemesh, visited the evacuees at their hotels and listened to their concerns. The city also set up a Help Center to provide information, guidance, and assistance. On one occasion, buses brought residents from the hotels to a community center in Beit Shemesh to hear from representatives of the Property Tax and National Insurance offices. They were also taken to see their damaged homes.
The Youth Department of Beit Shemesh has been organizing activities for children and teens to cheer them up and help give their days some structure. They even run programs on Shabbos. In addition, a beautiful and memorable Bat Mitzvah party was arranged for one of the evacuees. For a short time, the participants were able to step back from their worries and enjoy a simcha.
The evacuees are coping not only with the trauma of the missile strikes but also with the sudden loss of control over their lives. They appreciate all that is being done for them; however, what they really want is to go home. Unfortunately, many will be unable to do so for quite some time.
The municipality is also working to increase security throughout the city, renovating and adding shelters in several locations—even at the municipal cemetery. This is reassuring, as booming interceptions have occurred very close to our home, and shrapnel has fallen all around our city.
Meanwhile, the country is trying to return to its normal routine, but it is difficult. Those missiles keep coming. The Ministry of Education set up a hotline for parents, students, and teaching staff to provide emotional support. There is also a lecture for parents every evening at 8:30 to address educational challenges caused by the war.
It seems that everyone is trying to help others during this crisis—even pets. Pashosho, a Golden Retriever who became a media star during the war, can be seen in videos happily running into shelters during sirens. He calms people in the shelter and helps make the experience less frightening. Some Israelis say his videos lower their anxiety and help them cope with the stress of the war. The Home Front Command even awarded Pashosho a trophy for his service.
Some people have even tried to turn the situation into something positive by using the time in shelters to create shidduchim. Some organizers place QR codes on shelter walls so people can see who else in the room is single. Others encourage singles to look around the room and take note if there is anyone “of interest.” I know someone who met her husband in a shelter during the Gulf War. I think it’s a great idea!
“Yellow zones,” considered less at risk, have returned to school. My grandson returned to gan this morning. I received two messages on the grandparent chat. One was a thank-you from the ganenet for the Mishloach Manot we sent her. Nobody had been to the gan since before Purim, so the ganenet was pleasantly surprised to find it today. The second was a video of the 32 children in my grandson’s gan saying Tehillim out loud in the gan’s shelter during a red alert. Many of these four-year-olds were clearly familiar with the p’sukim. Their sweet voices carried a sense of sincerity and calm. They were adorable, but it is heartbreaking that this is now their reality. I listen to the recording over and over again. When I hear their pure voices, I feel that Hashem will certainly fulfill their tefilos.
For these children, the routine of school now includes something I never experienced at that age. This interruption is already becoming part of childhood. In Israel, even the youngest children have learned how to pause their games, step into a shelter, and daven to Hashem together.
Please continue to daven for peace in Eretz Yisrael, the recovery of the wounded, and for the success and safe return of all 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.
