Anglo Ein Hod residents aching to return home

Historic artist's village was evacuated by rescue services as the fire grew dangerously close to the the mountain top upon which it stands.

By RUTH EGLASH
Ein Hod 311 (photo credit: Associated Press)
Ein Hod 311
(photo credit: Associated Press)
Veteran English-speaking immigrants from Ein Hod were aching to return home Sunday, two days after being evacuated by rescue services as the fire grew dangerously close to the mountain top where the historic artist’s village stands.
“We have spoken to people who stayed in Ein Hod, and they told us that our house is still standing and that is a big relief,” Roy Brody, who has lived in Ein Hod since 1972, told The Jerusalem Post.
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“I know the authorities were not happy that some people stayed behind in Ein Hod, but I am thankful they stayed there to put out the smaller fires and, of course, that they are safe.”
Brody, who was evacuated with his wife, Vivian Silver Brody, and who is now staying with her at a friends‚ said that Ein Hod was a very small town where residents “know each other very well.”
“It is not a big city and we are very close to all those who have lost their homes there,” he said, adding that the couple already attempted to return home yesterday but were turned away by policemen.
“We have been watching the drama unfold but it got too much so we went for a walk instead,” said Brody, who emigrated from Britain in the 1960s.
“We were evacuated from there 12 years ago when there was another fire. Obviously we feel disappointment with the government, but it is a very old affair. My gut feeling is we [Israel] are almost never prepared for such disasters. We go from crisis to crisis because we do not think ahead.”
Asked how he felt about the destruction to the picturesque nature and wildlife around his home, Brody finished: “That will grow back, nature will take its course.
Whether we plant anew or don’t plant, nature will find its way.”