Hey Everybody,
I want to start off this post with an apology. I've been very bad about keeping you up to date on what's been going on in my life for the last few months, which really isn't fair to you. I have continued to say that I will post stuff, and then I've just gotten plain lazy. However, things in Israel (and especially the south of Israel) have gotten to a point where I feel as though it is time for me to tell you what is going on here, both in my life and in this country.
Unless you've been paying no attention to the news in the last month, you know that a lot has been going on concerning Israel. There has been an escalation in tension between Hamas in Gaza and Israel; South Afrian Judge Goldstone (of the infamous UN Goldstone Report) has said that his report was inaccurate in it's portrayal of Israel on the subject of Human Rights violations in Gaza; concern is increasing over the likely establishment of the Palestinian state by the UN this fall.
While the second two news pieces are very big ones, neither of them really play a part in my daily life. The rising tensions, however, do.
I'm not going to sugar coat this for you: I am living in range of Gazan missiles. I am not far from Ashkelon (a major city), I can hear army planes flying over head constantly, I can hear booms from distant rockets hitting in and around Ashkelon, and I have had to respond to the incoming missile siren. With all of that said, I feel safe. I can't say that I'm not worried, but I can say that I feel safe.
Every day, I go to work (with my super cute gan kids), hang out with my friends, and act as though nothing is different than it would be anywhere else in Israel. However, there is a sense of worry around the country as can only be expected in a time as tense as this.
I wanted to write this brief update to tell you all that I am safe and still loving my time in Israel, wish you a happy Passover, and ask you to send me an email with ANY comments or questions regarding Israel and the current situation. I am a bit overwhelmed at trying to summarize this whole thing in a blog post, but if you ask me specific questions, I can give you the best answers in my capabilities.
Again, sorry for being out of touch for so long, and Chag Sameach,
Becca
