I received an e-mail from the congregant of a colleague asking if I might be able to help her check on the well-being of a woman she met in 1972 at Kibbutz Beit Oren. They have been corresponding over the years — last in touch via e-mail a few months ago. I was able to find a cell phone number for the 80-plus-year-old woman who was deeply touched by the gesture of reaching out. She is in good health and one of the lucky members as her house was not damaged — though nearly 100 homes and other buildings were totally destroyed — and another 200 seriously damaged. She was with many other people from Beit Oren at a kibbutz guest house on the Mediterranean coast — although she was not sure exactly where.
It’s been a blessing to see that over 30 firefighting aircraft helicopters have arrived to assist from the United States, Turkey, Greece, Russia, Bulgaria, Jordan, Cyprus, Britain, Russia, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Azerbaijan, Spain, Romania, Holland and Canada. It’s also important to note that the Palestinian Authority has transferred three fire trucks to Israel. They all worked side-by-side with Israelis to extinguish the blaze.
We are grateful for the outpouring of generosity from organizations across the world who established emergency campaigns to assist not only with fighting the fire, but helping to rebuild for those who have lost their homes.
With prayers of healing, hope and light at this time of suffering and darkness.
Steve Burnstein made aliyah 13 years ago from Kansas City and lives at Kibbuz Gezer with his wife, Varda, their kids, Micah and Gabi, and Kitty-the-dog. He works in Israel education and tourism and will be completing his studies to become a Reconstructionist rabbi this spring.