Living with Uncertainty

I can hear fighter jets soaring above our town throughout the day and night. Here in Zichron, that is as close as the war has come. Many of our friends are hosting families from the south, especially friends or family who live in a home without a mamad (safe room). One mother told me that they had to sleep in the shelter at her daughter’s school for two nights in a row, but since the sirens kept going off during the day, it didn’t make sense for them to stay at home. Their cousin in Zichron invited them to stay for the weekend, so they packed their bags and left to give the kids a better sense of security. The swimming pool in town opened this weekend, and anyone who was fleeing the rockets in the south was invited to enjoy the opening party free of charge.

Enjoying the pool party on Tuesday

There is nothing I can say about the politics of the situation. We went to a private pool party on Monday afternoon, and the discussion turned to the war. Even in a relatively homogeneous group of white, Jewish, educated, wealthy immigrants who made the choice as adults to move to Israel, there was no agreement on the way to end the conflict. Someone eventually changed the subject, and everyone silently agreed to disagree. If no common ground can be found among friends, how can we attempt to reconcile with our enemies?

I haven’t known what to post on social media since the rockets began falling all over central Israel. Our daily life here has been pretty normal, despite an underlying sense of worry about what is happening in other parts of the country. My friends in Tel Aviv have been on high alert, day and night. Last Thursday, at the height of tension, friends invited me and Danny to join them at one of the local wineries in town. They were supposed to take their first overnight trip since coronavirus without their kids, and it was all cancelled due to the war. Instead, they decided to have a day-date here in Zichron. The outdoor area at the Carmel Winery was lovely. Perfect blue sky, light breeze, warm spring temperature, fresh flowers in every color growing outside in the garden. Danny and I each had a glass of wine, and when we tried to pay, the owner wouldn’t take our money. That same day, Sarit went to the bakery to pick out a treat, and the baker refused to let her pay for her chocolate croissant.

Despite feeling trapped in our bubble, we were able to enjoy the Shavuot holiday. On Sunday, the Purim event that was cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions was held as a Shavuot event. The teenagers in Maccabi Tzair, the most popular youth group in Zichron, built a giant festival with hand-built rides made out of wood, and carnival games all painted and created by hand. Reuben is a member of this youth group. He loves it because each activity is like a party with no adults. We had guests over for dinner on Sunday evening on erev Shavuot. The kids left the house after eating to play at the park, and no one was worried about their safety. Danny went out to all-night learning sessions until 5:30am, and he said there were people out and about throughout the night.

Sarit enjoying one of the rides at the festival

Getting ready for Shavuot dinner

School started again today after Shavuot break from Sunday – Tuesday. Unfortunately, Kai and Reuben’s field trips were both cancelled due to security concerns. Last year it was coronavirus, this year it is rocket attacks. Some things are continuing as usual despite the general sense of fear. This afternoon we had about 15 people come to see our house (remember, the landlady wants to sell it?). Last week we had multiple showings during the week. It is taking a lot of my time and energy to organize the showings, keep the house clean, and be home to show the house. I don’t think our landlady understands the amount of work I am doing to help her with this. It is counterproductive for me since I would rather continue renting it, but I suppose I believe in karma and I am hoping something positive will come out of all this effort. We still don’t have a contract for a new rental, so nothing to report on our plans for the summer as of yet.

It is unsettling to live with constant uncertainty. We are grateful to be in a town that has been spared the constant barrage of rocket attacks, but it is impossible to know what will happen next. I hope there will be a cease-fire soon followed by a peaceful path towards coexistence.