Yesterday morning we woke up to the news that the U.S. has joined the war with Iran. There were missile attacks all over Israel and we had to remain sheltered for a long stretch. Sadly there were direct hits. Schools and workplaces are still closed and we have been ordered to stay within the radius of bomb shelters.
It's been a rough week with very little sleep.
We were advised to pack a bag in case our home is hit or in case we have to leave in a hurry. But what to pack? Apart from the obvious passports and car keys, how do I decide what items in my home are most precious to me? I lost a son. Every single thing in his bedroom is a memory. I can't pack the two huge boxes of his drawings into my bag, nor the totem pole he carefully crafted when he was 9 years old, which has stood proudly in the lounge ever since then.
I am simply not able to do it.
This war is far from over and I fear the consequences for Israel and the Jewish community as a whole. However, I am feeling some relief knowing Iran's nuclear weapons have hopefully been destroyed, at least for the time being. A nuclear Iran was an existential threat not only to Israel but to the Arab world and to the whole world - whether or not that was widely acknowledged. The U.S. has the power to prevent the world's centre for terrorism from developing nuclear weapons. I am glad they used it.
It was also announced yesterday that Israeli forces had recovered the bodies of civilians Ofra Keidar and Yonatan Samerano, and soldier Shay Levinson, who were all killed on the 7th October 2023, the day of the Hamas-led attack on Israel. With their retrieval, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive. 28 are confirmed dead by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) and there are grave concerns for the well-being of two others. Hamas is also holding the body of an IDF soldier killed in Gaza in 2014.
In addition, four more of our dear soldiers were killed in Gaza last week, including the son-in-law of a close friend of mine.So, having said that I feel some relief, there is also nothing to celebrate at the moment.
In the meantime, I am still creating art.
Although schools have been abruptly closed here, the end of the school year is coming up and some people are looking for teacher gifts. A customer approached me to ask if I could create a papercut for a school principal, HaMenahelet (המנהלת) in Hebrew. Menahelet is a Hebrew word that translates to "principal" or "director", specifically referring to a female principal. It's commonly used in the context of schools or educational institutions, but can also be used in other settings to refer to a female director or manager.
My customer liked my name plaques but also really loved my design with the hand and the sprout coming up, a symbol of growth and hope. "Would it be possible to add that in?" she asked.
I removed some of the seed heads from my name plaque design and replaced them with the hand and sprout that she liked so much.
"Thanks so much." she wrote to me. "It's lovely."
* This post has been shared on Happiness is Homemade, Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday), Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop and Creative Muster Link Party.
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18 comments:
We watch the crisis escalating in your part of the world with horror on our tv's each night and pray for peace and calm
We're holding you all - and our world - in our prayers!
I'm glad Iran's nuclear capabilities was destroyed. I have you and Israel in my prayers.
Lisa, I pray for your safety and for the end to this seemingly endless war. May G*d protect you.
Oh Lisa, I can't imagine having to decide what to pack either and I am so sorry these are things you have to think about. I've been listening/watching the news and praying for this to all end soon. There has been so much death and destruction. You and your countrymen are in our thoughts and prayers. Your artwork is just lovely, as always.
With everything going on I have been thinking of you! How do you even decide what to put in a bag to take with you to safety! I am glad you still have your art.
We couldn't imagine what you have Day by Day. It's terrible and we look the news. Constantly see the atrocities inflicted on people in the news. The civilian population suffers the most. We pray for each sign of hope and peace.
Greetings by Heidrun
When we lost most of our most precious possessions to the flood in WY, I knew there is NO WAY to decided what to take and what can stay. It would be an impossible task. Still I find myself thinking where something might be, only to remember seeing it in the garbage during clean up. I am glad you are keeping busy, it will always be the small things that see us through, prayer still sent each day for peace and a peaceful outcome. Take care my friend...#MMBC
It is way too late for the three murdered Israelis, but at least their families can finally have proper funerals and minyanim. And the three grave stones should record the bravery of these young people.
I too am glad that Iran's nuclear capabilities have been destroyed. I was amused, and rather ashamed, to see Keir Starmer and his representatives desperately trying to avoid answering direct questions as to whether they support the US strikes or not. Trying to appease both a close ally and their voter base resulted in some laughable equivocation!
It must be impossibly hard to decide what to take with you if you have to evacuate. Take what you are able, protect the rest as best you can for later retrieval, and remember that your most important memories of Gadi are within you, and nobody can take those away.
Stunning artwork as usual, and what a brilliant idea for end of year gifts. xx
Such an awful situation to be in. I hope the ceasefire continues. There has been way too much loss already. I'm glad you are still managing to continue your art work, it must give you some peace in your soul while you work.
Hels, Ofra Keidar was 71 when she was murdered by Hamas-led terrorists while on an early morning walk near her home in Kibbutz Be’eri. Yonatan was 22 and Shay just 19.
The situation is like horror and I feel so sorry to your lost. It is good to see an art is giving you a tiny bit of rest in this crazy times. I admire your work and all little personal touches in each card :*
Lisa, thank you for sharing your personal experience about life in Israel right now. It is so sad to realize that in a minute all your personal possessions and memories from your precious son could be gone. Praying for the safety of you and your family and ultimately you should be able to live in peace in Eretz Yisrael. Thankfully, you are still able to keep up with your art as a distraction. Your card for the principal is lovely . Keeping you and Israel in our prayers.
It’s heartbreaking to hear how close and personal this conflict has become for you. I can only imagine how tough it is deciding what to hold onto when everything feels so fragile. Your art, especially that symbol of growth and hope, feels like a quiet act of courage in all this. It’s a reminder that even in hard times, something good can still take root.
In the middle of all that pain and uncertainty, the fact that you're still making art and spreading bits of hope is admirable. That hand and sprout design sounds perfect—such a strong, gentle symbol.
Keeping you and Israel in our prayers.
I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through over there, and it must be harder still trying to put together a lifetime of memories in a bag. Take comfort that the best memories of Gadi are in your heart.
So glad that you're getting some peace through your work, Lisa. Sending love and hugs to you all. xx
I delayed reading this, Lisa, but I don't know if the situation is any better? So many years of loss and anguish and no real end in sight, for any of you, on either side of the battle lines. We can only watch and hope. I wish it were different but the reality is harsh. May you find the strength to cope, and carry on sending your art into this sorry world xx
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