Nobody tells me what I must write about. The editors give me a free hand and allow me to write about any topic I choose. But honestly, I’ve had enough of the articles I’ve been writing. I’ve written a column about the war every week since October 7. As I sit down to write my 26th column, I ask myself: How long can this go on? Who would have expected that we would still be fighting this war nearly six months later? If only I could write a different kind of article.
I’ve written about beautiful initiatives started to support the wives, mothers, and families of soldiers in the IDF. As the war continues, new projects abound. Families of reservists living in East Jerusalem were given door magnets that read “Here Lives a Heroic Family.” The signs were printed at the printing house in Be’eri. Three chasidic women sent homemade meals to the wives of reservists living in the neighborhoods surrounding the Old City to express their appreciation for these women who tend to the Homefront, allowing their husbands to fight. The women of the Gilo Har HaMor community organized an evening of appreciation with a delicious dinner and speeches expressing gratitude for the wives of reservists. Special thanks were given to the women of the chareidi community of Chazon Nachum, who cooked food for the families for over 100 days. The women of the Karlin chasidus organized a fun day for families of reservists at the Kiftzuba Amusement Park
Last week, the wives of reservists in Ganei Tikvah were invited to spend the morning at the Mediterranean Towers, where they were served a pampering breakfast, treated by touch and emotion therapists, and received a relaxing treatment. Many of you parted with your sheitels and jewelry and gifted them to wives and mothers of chayalim. These initiatives help.
I’ve written about the efforts to memorialize the fallen and to help chayalim when fighting in the field and when they return home. New initiatives are created all the time with this goal in mind. The mother of fallen soldier Yahel Gazit established a project in his memory, providing psychological treatment for the soldiers of the 188th Brigade. The project aims to make private treatment accessible for up to a year at no cost for soldiers unable to afford it. The “Tachlit” association organized the “Adopt a Wounded” initiative, which pairs wounded soldiers and their families with volunteers (professionals and laymen) who assist and encourage these families. Betzavta, a project established in memory of Staff Sergeant Sean Carmeli, who fell in Gaza in 2014 in Operation Protective Edge, collects the laundry of lone soldiers every week. They wash, iron, and return clean clothes to the soldiers.
The “Shock Club” Association provides a special kit for managers to help them bring reservists back to work when they are released from combat duty. The company attempts to minimize the chances of post-trauma among the chayalim. The “Kitbag Market” was opened in Petach Tikvah, where soldiers can “buy” food, clothing, and military equipment free of charge. The friends of Aviv Baram, who fell in Kfar Aza on October 7, established “Aviv’s Pizza” in his memory. A pizza cart will travel to IDF posts and treat them to pizza. Members of the family who own Falafel Netanya have been handing out falafel to soldiers in outposts all over the country.
An army unit stationed up north found itself without provisions for Shabbos one particular week earlier in the war. One of the soldiers was advised to reach out to the grandson of the Satmar Rebbe, who would take care of them. Friday morning, a truck pulled up with students from the Satmar yeshivah. They came to deliver delicious food along with all they could need for Shabbos. The truck was filled with food that the boys delivered to outposts all over the north. The Satmar Rebbe had instructed that no soldier go hungry and that they should receive plenty of food.
I’ve written about efforts made to keep the hostages in the forefront of our minds. These efforts are ongoing, as well. The residents of Kibbutz Nahal Oz organized a Kabbalas Shabbos at Tel Aviv Museum Square for the return of the hostages. People from all over the country joined them. A stand that sells flowers at Hostage Square every Friday now only sells yellow flowers, the color that has become the symbol of the hostages.
While I am happy to report about these heartwarming and helpful initiatives, I’m ready to write a different kind of article. If only I could write about the success of the soldiers as they eliminate the last of our enemies on every front and declare undisputed victory. Both terrorists and their supporters would finally get what they deserve and understand that they were messing with the wrong people. If only I could write about the grand celebration welcoming back the hostages, attended by every segment of Israeli society together with supporters from all over the world who would fly to Israel for the occasion. People of all types would be hugging and dancing together for hours on end with tears of happiness in their eyes as they carried the hostages on their shoulders.
If only I could write about the end of the ugly divisiveness resulting in lasting unity, as we would finally internalize the fact that we are all children of Hashem, brothers and sisters who love and care about each other. I’d include photos of the newly rebuilt homes and communities in the north and south as residents return to live happy and meaningful lives under safe conditions. I can see it all so clearly in my mind’s eye. If only we could reach that point. Y’shuas Hashem k’heref ayin. B’ezras Hashem, that which we are davening for will soon become a reality.
Please continue to daven for the recovery of the wounded, the release of the remaining hostages, and 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.
