B”SD

Safed (Tzfat) Emergency Appeal Daily Blog

We started this web site on the 9th day of the war. We will try to write a few thoughts every day to let you know what is happening here, what we are going through, and some things we are doing to help. Many days we do the same things, but we will write a little each day to give you a sense of what is going on. Some days we might not have time to write, so please come back in a day or two and we will try to catch up.

We will not focus here on hard news or the casualties  We know you are all following the Israeli news web sites. Our idea is just to write a few words about our experiences.

The first 9 days were mostly confusion and fear: Not knowing what will be, what to do, where to go when the sirens sounded. After the first couple of days, we were told not to go outside, not to work. Everything was closed, empty streets. Many people that could, left town, but we at the Chabad House felt the need to stay and help those who had nowhere to go.

Friday July 21,

10th day of the war.

The police allow the residents to leave their homes to shop for Shabbat. Supplies of food and necessary medical equipment have to be delivered to the homes of the disabled, people needing medication, toys and books for the children sitting in the shelters. Quick Quick before we light the candles and usher in the Shabbat. The planes overhead, the missiles exploding in the background, this is no ordinary Friday in Safed.

Shabbat night:

11th day of the war.

Walking to the old city to the Chabad shul. Silence all around. No one is in the streets. Safed, a city of synagogues, so many of them are shut, not enough people to open up. The Chabad Tzemach Tzedek Shul is open, of course, and the service is followed by a meal. as we do every Shabbat. People are quieter, more hurried. We try to lift their spirits by singing a few songs, sharing some thoughts on the portion of the week. To put a smile on a child's face makes it all worthwhile.

Sunday, July 23rd

12th day of the war.

More sirens, more missiles. How long is this to go on? More people are leaving, they have been brave long enough. The banks are thinking of opening. The mail does not arrive. Three synagogues were hit by bombs. Miracles all the time, no people were in the synagogues. Sefer Torah is being written in honor of the soldiers. Old people need to be visited. A hot plate of soup warms the elderly and lonely.

Monday, July 24th.

13th day of the war.

Visiting the bomb shelters. Distributing charity boxes, books of psalms, games and candles for the kids. Did anyone say summer vacation? Swimming pools? The shelters in Safed are not well vented. No air, noisy. WAIT...do I see a newborn? Yes, and tomorrow this child needs to have a brit milah! The mother says, "I have nothing, no food, no clothes, diapers, formula. Can you help?" Of course.

Tuesday, July 25th

14th day of the war.

Well, a brit there was. The circumcision took place with all the formalities. The rabbi, friends and family, and of course, we brought the food, diapers, formula, some clothes. And the joy! With the background music of missiles falling somewhere in the wadi, the mother who just had a cesarean, held her son, born eight days ago in the basement of the Safed hospital which was shelled just the day before. OR-EL, Light to G-d, she named him.

Wednesday, July 26th

15th day of the war.

It's Rosh Chodesh Av, a new month. In ordinary times the first nine days of Av are heavy days, preceding the fast of the 9th of Av, and people are even more uneasy because of the war. The women of Safed, though are not giving in so easily, so we had a Rosh Chodesh party in the bomb shelter. Nice turn out, a dvar Torah, we discussed the teachings of the Rebbe on the building of the 3rd Temple, different women talking about what they are experiencing. The women that have been a little down from being home all the time with the kid were able to cheer up and spirits were lifted.

 Thyrsday, July 27th

16th day of the war.

Walking in the town, the streets are deserted, everything is barred shut. Even the cats in town are in a bad state. The city of Safed is in mourning. We invited a professional trauma counselor from Jerusalem to lecture in the Chabad House for the residents of Safed who remained here. People were very grateful, and it was good for them to sit and talk with other people and know they are not alone, to laugh a little, and to see above oneself.

Friday, July 27th

17th day of the war.

It's Friday again, another Shabbat to get ready. Some people are leaving town for Shabbat to get a little normalcy in the lives. Those that are still here have to be attended to. Shopping, sending food to people for Shabbat, preparing the Kiddush and Shabbat meal at the Chabad House, and oif course, visiting the shelters. Some husbands have sent off their wives and children, they need to be invited for a Shabbat meal. Hurry, hurry, the work is plenty and the time is short.

Sunday, July 29th

19th day of the war.

Today is the 5th of Av, the Hillula of the holy Ari, the kabballist who lived and is buried in Safed. Amazing, it is so quiet you can touch the silence. On this date the city is usually so full you cannot walk the streets, the police not allowing cars to enter the old city. At the grave of the Ari, there are groups of twenty, thirty people, instead of the thousands that usually come on this day. Showing great courage and self sacrifice,  these people came from different parts of Israel to pray and to connect to Safed. The sirens are quieter, less bombs falling today. We are making a gathering in the shul tonight, a farbrengin, a little food, a little drink, a few LeChaims. A lot of holy words and thoughts, a few niggunim and the souls are warmed, spreading through the body of  the Holy Ari's teachings and the Rebbe's teachings, the redemption is not so far away. Lechaim, Lechaim.

Tuesday, August 1st

21st day of the war

With the second day of the temporary ceasefire there are a few more people in the streets. Store keepers have come to see the damages to their shops; some broken windows, pieces of glass on clothes and other goods. People on the street are smiling. The coffee shop is open. The fruit vendor has more than 5 people in the store at once. A police van comes down the street with a bullhorn, "no congregating, everyone go back indoors." Did I say smiles?

Wednesday, August 2nd

22nd day of the war

Well, I guess it's the eve of the fast of the 9th of Av after all. Did I say a coffee shop is open? The missiles, the sirens the music, the pre fast of Av feeling. Are we going to have to fast again this year? Or is the miracle we are all praying for going to happen? This year in Jerusalem....all of us in the north and the south, and all our brothers and sisters who are praying and thinking of us all over the world. Amen, let it be.

Friday. August 4th

24th day of the war

We are still here, we are a stubborn nation. We will not be depressed, this is the Shabbat of consolation. Is it really the 4th Shabbat in this scenario? Running around shopping. The few stores that are open are busy. Some guests have arrived to volunteer and stand with us, yes, how wonderful. "We want to show support. We want to help". Welcome aboard, anyone who wants to help is another link in the chain. We are all one nation, one people, and we have only one land.

Sunday. August 6th

26th day of the war

I guess some of us are a little weary, the city is once again very quiet. Some of the stores that opened for a few days have closed. Shabbat was not an easy day with the sirens going off every few minutes., hard to get your Shabbos nap in. The fires were blazing all Shabbat afternoon, causing everyone to keep the windows closed, it wasn't helping. Today's news wasn't too good either. Think positive and act. Do a good deed, every mitzvah counts, that is the answer.

Monday. August 7th

27th day of the war`

People have been calling us that left Safed to safer spots to ask if we can check their homes and keep an eye out. They heard there have been some break-ins. Who would believe? True, over 150 houses have been broken into in Safed alone. More sirens. More rockets. More work. Trying to stay upbeat.

Wednesday. August 9th

29th day of the war

It's the 15th of Av, a joyous day in the history of our people. Joy, that is what we need to. Bring joy to the people sitting in the shelters, in their homes listening to the sirens going off and the missiles falling. Yes, they are still falling, Safed is going through another round. Your charity, your prayers, your good deeds, that's what is helping us see miracles and miracles. G-d willing, only miracles.

Friday, August 11th

31st day of the war

Another Shabbat, this one brings news of a possible cease-fire. Mixed emotions, but lots more work. People are still in the shelters. Food to prepare and deliver.  Pray for us.

Sunday, August 13th

33rd day of the war

They talk of a ceasefire tomorrow. Will it be quiet? But what was it all for? One month of thousands of people living in shelters, or in stranger's homes in the south. Camps cancelled....Summer cancelled.  Many  hardships, but many miracles. Many miracles. We await tomorrow morning to see if the sirens are quiet.

Monday, August 14th

34th day of the war (is it the last?)

A siren at 6:30 in the morning. We thought it was over. The children are tired. After that, it was quiet all day, the ceasefire seems to have come about. Again, what was it all for? The soldiers who died. The people who suffered. But is it really over? The streets are still empty, people are not sure, so some stay in shelters. When will our friends and neighbors come home? When can we start to rebuild and recover? Still much work to do, no one has worked in over a month. Will the tourists ever come back?

Tuesday, August 15th

Quiet...perhaps too quiet. People are starting to come out, some are coming home. A few more stores opened. Cars in the streets. But it will take a long time to get back to normal. Most people from out of town are waiting a few days to see if the situation stays the same. But the work continues. Many have no savings. Time to assess the damage and move on. 

Thank you very much for visiting us during the war. Now we are busy rebuilding Safed, and trying to recover financially. Please continue to visit our site, and please send out the word to all your friends, family, and associates. We will still need your help and support for many months to come. Thank you and G-d Bless.