I have a very similar feeling every time my phone beeps with the red alert button in Tel Aviv, where two of my sister’s married kids live, with their kids.
Every time I get the Tzeva Adom from Ra’anana, where my sister & her husband live.
And although I’ve never lived through those threats, my heart jumps into my throat. Every single time.
As it did in 90/91, when Iraqi scuds were flying overhead in those same places, and 3 of her 4 kids lived there. And I was here.
What struck me most about this piece is how the word “fine” becomes a kind of survival language in Israel. People learn to live normal lives while missiles fall and sirens sound, and that level of resilience is something most of the world simply cannot understand. But there is also another layer to it: for many Jews in the diaspora, watching all of this unfold from far away creates a different kind of helplessness. October 7 changed that for many of us. It made us realize that while we may live in other countries, the only place that truly feels like home — the one place that must always exist — is Israel.
Ido, I relate very much to what you said. Before October 7th I had very little connection to Judaism at all. I am agnostic, and 95% of my friends are not Jewish. I was also deeply patriotic toward Canada and the United States. But October 7th changed something in me completely. It forced me to realize how quickly things can shift and how fragile that sense of security really is. Since then I’ve become a soldier in the propaganda war supporting Israel, doing whatever I can for the cause.
Be well, and thank you for your comment. Ido, I am also inviting you to subscribe to my free Substack, fredericktatala.substack.com.
A gripping piece of writing. It articulates the inarticulate and takes us into the senses of you, the person who has experienced this. It's particularly apt to do so through the mind and body of a 12 year old boy, where everything is undeniably real and not real at the same time. That you chose to leave Israel and now have two homes, one in the US and the other still in Israel, living on as part of you, is something I'm aware of during my reading. Consciousness is one thing and unconscious affiliation another. Reason hovers somewhere in between, but never has the last word.
Half my family is in Israel, half in the USA. I feel more at home in Israel, so I’m with them for three months. Never felt unsafe. I hope my family feels the same. They don’t talk to me about it…. The lack of talking makes me sadder than my alerts.
If your sister lived farther north... I would worry more... but thankfully Pardes Chana is doing fine ... really... I just drove through on my way to the gym...
no matter the circumstances, we know in the end... yihiye beseder...
as we say... avarnu et Pharoah... naavor gam et ze
You were probably traumatized from war when you were a child. I didn't live here when I was growing up. For me it was antisemitism. Nothing compared to now, but still left its imprint in my life. I am in Israel. In a war. And I will never leave. Never live anywhere else.
Why was I not able to share this on FB? So odd! I relate to it in so many ways! I left Israel at age 7. My dad was killed--my mother widowed at age 23 after she had to leave her family, at age 13 behind in Germany. We were left with nothing but a rudimentary gov't settlement building that we shared with another family. We now live in America--I know exactly how you feel!
I would still say despite the missiles, it's safer in the long run for Jews to be in Israel than in the diaspora. There is no future for Jews in the west.
I salute Israelis for their jaw dropping bravery--what a powerful and beautifully written piece.
Only the best for you, your sister and all family members.
Only the best for all Israelis. The madness can't end soon enough...
Thank you so much for the well wishes.
Your support is very much appreciated.
Great piece, Ido.
I have a very similar feeling every time my phone beeps with the red alert button in Tel Aviv, where two of my sister’s married kids live, with their kids.
Every time I get the Tzeva Adom from Ra’anana, where my sister & her husband live.
And although I’ve never lived through those threats, my heart jumps into my throat. Every single time.
As it did in 90/91, when Iraqi scuds were flying overhead in those same places, and 3 of her 4 kids lived there. And I was here.
But my heart still jumped.
Almost physically.
With extreme terror.
As I feel now.
And they all say, HAKOL B’SEDER!
It's amazing how trauma can be shared that way. Very powerful. Thanks for reading!
What struck me most about this piece is how the word “fine” becomes a kind of survival language in Israel. People learn to live normal lives while missiles fall and sirens sound, and that level of resilience is something most of the world simply cannot understand. But there is also another layer to it: for many Jews in the diaspora, watching all of this unfold from far away creates a different kind of helplessness. October 7 changed that for many of us. It made us realize that while we may live in other countries, the only place that truly feels like home — the one place that must always exist — is Israel.
It's been a serious shift for me as well. Moved to the states in 2003 at almost 24 years old.
Seeing October 7th happen made me want to run back into the fire like never before.
That hum was always there.
October 7th made it profoundly more pronounced.
Ido, I relate very much to what you said. Before October 7th I had very little connection to Judaism at all. I am agnostic, and 95% of my friends are not Jewish. I was also deeply patriotic toward Canada and the United States. But October 7th changed something in me completely. It forced me to realize how quickly things can shift and how fragile that sense of security really is. Since then I’ve become a soldier in the propaganda war supporting Israel, doing whatever I can for the cause.
Be well, and thank you for your comment. Ido, I am also inviting you to subscribe to my free Substack, fredericktatala.substack.com.
Subscribed and happy to support when I come across it on my feed.
Keep doing your part and thank you for your support. Of me, of us, and of Israel.
We are all in this together.
A gripping piece of writing. It articulates the inarticulate and takes us into the senses of you, the person who has experienced this. It's particularly apt to do so through the mind and body of a 12 year old boy, where everything is undeniably real and not real at the same time. That you chose to leave Israel and now have two homes, one in the US and the other still in Israel, living on as part of you, is something I'm aware of during my reading. Consciousness is one thing and unconscious affiliation another. Reason hovers somewhere in between, but never has the last word.
Thank you for the kind words, Liar. I was born and raised there. Born into this. Now, it's choose it all over again.
Beautiful writing. Thank you. It made me cry in a good way. ❤️
Wow. I'm humbled, Robbin. Thank you for the kind words.
Half my family is in Israel, half in the USA. I feel more at home in Israel, so I’m with them for three months. Never felt unsafe. I hope my family feels the same. They don’t talk to me about it…. The lack of talking makes me sadder than my alerts.
I'm so sorry you're feeling so isolated from your family.
It's hard for people from the outside to fathom how safe it is compared to the information out there.
Glad to hear you're home, though.
I feel the safest on earth when I’m in Israel. The global and North American/european media are the worst!
Can’t argue with that.
If your sister lived farther north... I would worry more... but thankfully Pardes Chana is doing fine ... really... I just drove through on my way to the gym...
no matter the circumstances, we know in the end... yihiye beseder...
as we say... avarnu et Pharoah... naavor gam et ze
Debra, so true! I can hear Meir Ariel's voice in my head as we speak.
Ands you're right - yihiye beseder...
Impressive, heart moving and currently applicable.
But to surrender is not the solution!
We will never surrender. Thank you for the kind words, Brigitte.
Beautifully written, and something that could only be written by someone with first hand experience.
Thank you for reading
Thank you for describing your fears.
There are some who also have fears in other countries.
Of course. I totally get that.
I feel the cold chill real of this. Transmitted.
I often feel and am helpless in the face of what you describe. And the low hum exists for me too.
Especially now.
I can understand. I think we all have a version of that hum.
Thank you for reading!
Ido, I wish where was a button for a bear hug. I wish you enough.
I appreciate it, Patricia! I'm feeling the love.
You were probably traumatized from war when you were a child. I didn't live here when I was growing up. For me it was antisemitism. Nothing compared to now, but still left its imprint in my life. I am in Israel. In a war. And I will never leave. Never live anywhere else.
I'm sure I am. You're in the most beautiful place on earth. Enjoy.
Why was I not able to share this on FB? So odd! I relate to it in so many ways! I left Israel at age 7. My dad was killed--my mother widowed at age 23 after she had to leave her family, at age 13 behind in Germany. We were left with nothing but a rudimentary gov't settlement building that we shared with another family. We now live in America--I know exactly how you feel!
I'm not sure, Sherrie. Try this link: https://futureofjewish.substack.com/p/in-israel-fine-means-something-different?r=6w94bt&utm_medium=ios
Very good writing
Thank you! I hope you continue to follow.
I would still say despite the missiles, it's safer in the long run for Jews to be in Israel than in the diaspora. There is no future for Jews in the west.
100%