Per the old adage “Necessity is the mother of invention,” there’s been ample truth in the huge number of initiatives by organizations and individuals on behalf of reservists and their families, senior citizens living alone, war widows, children whose parents have to work, and communities in distress.
Aiming to ward off fear and depression through cementing communal solidarity, activities include enthralling theatrical performances in full costume in bomb shelters (some supported by the Jerusalem Foundation).
In her weekly column in The Jerusalem Post in last Friday’s daily, Liat Collins shared her feelings about her synagogue having moved into the bomb shelter of a Jerusalem retirement residence, and hoping that praying there wouldn’t become routine. However, the bomb shelter should become routine. Once people get used to going there for non-security reasons, they find it easier not to panic when sheltering there during sirens.
One of my relatives lives with her husband in the very pleasant environment of the Protea Hills Retirement Village in Shoresh, just outside Jerusalem. Although there is a beautifully appointed lounge-coffee shop at the residents’ disposal, for some reason many social/cultural events are held in the underground bomb shelter, regardless of the security situation. It’s just another place in the village where people can get together – and a good psychological means of taking the sting out of the real reason for being there during alerts.
Jerusalem’s missing addresses frustrate residents
■ WHILE THE Jerusalem Municipality is busy boasting about urban renewal, it is overlooking a very important essential: addresses on buildings. One can walk a very long distance in Jerusalem to look for a certain building.
Last week, I wanted to buy some kosher for Passover toiletries, but in search of the store I walked a whole block without seeing a number on a building. I gave up, went home, and Googled it. Mayor Moshe Lion could take a leaf out of Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai’s book. On every block in Tel Aviv, there is a sign with the lowest and highest street numbers on that block.
Synagogue attendance drops under Home Front limits
■ HOME FRONT COMMAND has instructed that there be no more than 50 people at synagogue services. Hatzvi Yisrael Congregation has staggered services in three different venues, each on a different floor from just below the ground floor up to the first and second floors. But during this tense security period, it was decided that all the services would be held at the same time in the synagogue on the lowest level of the building.
Sad to say that the women’s section, which has only three rows, was barely half full. The men’s section, which is considerably larger, was well populated, but there were a few empty seats. Walking to the synagogue, I saw only one other person on the street, even though there are some dozen synagogues spanning a comfortable walking radius from the Rehavia-Talbiya divide.
A Holocaust story of courage and endurance
■ EVERY HOLOCAUST survivor has a remarkable story because to survive the Nazi death machine was a remarkable achievement in itself. The story of Abraham and Zina Gontownik, Holocaust survivors from Vilna, is characterized by acts of heroism, optimism, resilience, and endurance, plus an indomitable will to live.
Abraham joined the partisans. Zina was in the Vilna Ghetto. Their story will be known to the wider public through the film From Vilna with Valour, made by Richard Shavei Zion, who transitioned from being a choir conductor to making films for people who want to preserve their stories for their descendants and for posterity at large.
With Holocaust Remembrance Day coming up on the calendar, the first public screening of the film will be presented by the couple’s son, Jerry Gontownik, at Beit Boyer in Arnona on Sunday, April 12, at 8 p.m. A Q&A will follow the screening. Due to current restrictions, advance registration is essential via WhatsApp: 052-838-5775.
Jerusalem Marathon postponed, streets stay open
■ JUST A reminder that the Jerusalem Marathon, which was originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until next month. This means that streets on the route will not be closed today, and whoever wants to go shopping can do so. The Mahaneh Yehuda market was quite crowded last Friday, and will be more so just before Passover.
Daylight saving time has started
■ ALSO, DON’T forget that daylight saving time has started, so Shabbat begins approximately an hour later than it did last week. Candle-lighting in Jerusalem is at 6:15 p.m. Shabbat ends at 7:32 p.m.
Shabbat shalom and Pesach same’ach v’shaket.
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