“Ani Rotzeh Lachzor Habayta”
Ir Emunah –
Looking Forward; With Faith and Hope
Yerushalayim;
4 Kislev, 5766/December 5, 2005
Dear Readers:
Yesterday, I traveled to the
Netivot area along with my eighteen-year-old daughter Faigy and her friend in
order to offer emotional support to the children and community leaders of Ir
Emunah, the relocated members of the city of
We had seen the pictures of the
trailers, the communal washrooms, and primitive facilities. So we steeled ourselves
for a difficult and painful visit.
Nothing, however, could possibly
have prepared us for what we saw.
We quite literally gasped as we
pulled up to a roadway overlooking Ir Emunah. It was like something out of a
bad dream. The entire ‘city’ is located in a dusty airport hanger, the area of
a square city block. Old, decrepit trailers were lined up one after another
with an assortment of belongings neatly lined up near the entrances of these
trailers. It is worse than any trailer park that you have ever seen in your
life.
How can they live here? How can
the Israeli government allow three hundred children and their parents to live
in these circumstances? Where is our support for these brave people?
Three months ago, these children were enjoying the
warm summer days in the comfort of their beautiful, tree-lined streets and the
security of their close-knit community. Then came the ‘disengagement’ and they
were removed from the only homes they have ever known.
And now this???
It was impossible for all of us to
avoid crying at this horrific scene. I asked our driver to pull off to the side
of the road so that we did not visit the children in our shell-shocked state.
After we composed ourselves, we
went to pay the school children a visit. Much to our incredible surprise, the
children were upbeat and cheerful. Classes were in session and the children
were learning in an orderly fashion with excellent lessons – despite the very
challenging nature of their classrooms. I had prepared a speech that I was
going to deliver to the kids at a school assembly. However, I found myself
completely at a loss for words.
I went instead to play soccer in a
makeshift field with the 5th grade boys. After the game, I walked
them up to their classroom, and their principal informed them that I
represented the children who had purchased school supplies for them.
I made the mistake of asking the
kids an open-ended question – “What could do for you at this time?” My heart
nearly broke when the first question came from an adorable 10-year-old. He said in Ivrit, “Ani Rotzeh Lachzor
Habayta” Could I arrange so that he could return back to his home (In Atzmonah,
Gush Katif)?”
I gently explained to him that
this was impossible for me to do, but that I’d love to purchase sports
equipment for him and his classmates. I then took out a pen and paper and asked
them for their sports supplies wish list. I then did the same for a group of 7th
grade girls. They were all very animated as they presented their very modest
requests. A few soccer balls. Nets
for their soccer goals. A basketball hoop. Modeling clay. Jump ropes. Board games.
I gave their principal $400- in
cash – all I had on me at the time – and asked him to go to a store in the area
that afternoon and purchase some of those items. I also gave an additional
$1,600- to Miriam Adler of Efrat, the woman who introduced me to these
wonderful people and she will arrange to get them their toys before
Shabbos.
We left heartbroken – but incredibly
inspired by the children and their parents. We went to offer support. However,
we were the ones whose spirits were lifted.
Dear Readers: I simply have no
words to describe the conditions these people are living with day after day.
They so badly need our help. What is most incredible however, is their spirit.
They are all saddened, terribly saddened, but proud, generous of spirit, and
full of bitachon in Hashem (faith in G-d).
I haven’t the slightest doubt that
they will be just fine in a few years. If Ir Emunah was a stock; I’d buy now.
They are planning to rebuild their
greenhouses and looking to move in 4-8 months to a new location where permanent
homes will be built. They are determined not to allow their community to be
split and wish to face the future together. They are simply an amazing, amazing
group of people. My daughter and I met with Tzofia Emanuel, a 19-year-old young
lady, who was recently engaged. She invited my daughter to her wedding, and was
excitedly planning for her future. (Drop her a mazel
tov email at yona@atzmona.co.il. I’m sure she would
love to hear from you)
It will be, however, simply
terrible if we allow them to face their uncertain future without our complete
financial and emotional support.
What can you do? Write a letter.
Send money. Have your shul or school adopt a family or school. (Contact Miriam
Stern if you would like to know more about families or schools who could use
your assistance.) Whatever. Just do it! Today.
We must do whatever we can to
assist them. For if we don’t, how in the world will be able to explain our
inaction?
You can send money to the Ir
Emunah community (or get further information) by mailing tax-deductible checks
made to
One
Rechov Hatziporen 8,
Her contact info is
011-972-2-993-2811, email at firstcls@netvision.net.il
Or, you can send an email to my
assistant Esty at estyk2@aol.com
(We have the ability to process credit card contributions) or mail checks to
Yeshiva Darchei Noam, Ir Emunah
Fund
100% of your contribution will go
directly to the families of Ir Emunah.
Rabbi Horowitz is the
Menahel of Yeshiva Darchei Noam of Monsey. Three months ago, his 270 talmidim
‘adopted’ the children of Atzmonah as they relocated to Ir Emunah. At that
time, the children of Darchei Noam donated and collected more than $6,000. The
money was wired to the leaders of the Ir Emunah community, who purchased school
supplies and books for their children.