"You’re here. That’s all I need.”
For the first time we were able to go out and help people in the areas hit by rockets and assist families in shelters.
One of the areas we visited was Yahud, a city close to Ben Gurion airport.
We joined a family frantically searching through the rubble of what had been their beautiful home. It had taken a direct hit from a rocket from Gaza at 3am.
Miraculously, miraculously, no one was hurt.
Their gratitude left me speechless. Here they were searching and hoping to find some remnants of their life, yet they were so thankful and grateful to us for being there with them.
As we were leaving – we had many other areas we had to visit before dark – I recognized the street, despite the devastation.
A young widow who we’ve been helping for the past three years lives on that same street. I told Rabbi Kutner we have to check in on her to see how she’s doing.
What greeted me was the most incredible experience I have had since I joined CTVP.
When she saw us, she covered her face with her hands to hide her tears. When we asked her what she needs right now and what we could do to help, she just shook her head, but the tears didn’t stop.
“Last night,” she said, “when the rockets hit, the children were so scared, they were crying and wailing from fear. I too was as frightened as they were, but I knew I had to be strong for them. I’m alone with the children and I had no one to turn to. You’re here. That’s all I need.”
Then, we went to Holon, accompanied by the local Chabad Shluchim Rabbis Gorlik and Gurary, where we visited with the four wounded victims – two seriously, two moderately – by a rocket that hit next to a bus.
A little 5-year-old girl was among the wounded.
Tonight, when I go to bed and say the Shema, I’ll be praying that I won’t be woken up by sirens or ground trembling rockets and that tomorrow I’ll wake up to a better day.
But I am grateful for today. Today, a young widow taught me that just my presence can be a blessing. What a gift.
Moshe Grunberg
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