Thousands of Israeli families fled or were evacuated from their homes in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas terror attack on October 7. Security forces, military personnel, medical professionals, and psychologists are working tirelessly to care for those affected and prevent further atrocities. Young children, both victims and aid workers, are facing an unimaginable ordeal these days. In Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Foundation, among others, is supporting the care of families who have found refuge there or are involved in the crisis response, using funds from the Crisis Intervention Initiative (CSI).
By Anemone Rüger and the Jerusalem Foundation
Sderot is a modern Israeli city on the northeastern edge of the Gaza Strip, just one kilometer from the border fence. Bougainvillea and palm trees line the streets, as in many places in Israel. Life here, an hour's drive south of the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv, is cheaper than elsewhere. On October 7, unimaginable horror befell Sderot when Hamas terrorists invaded the city and murdered dozens of people.
A mosaic workshop for a broken children's world
Until a few weeks ago, Sderot was home to nine-year-old Ayelet. Shortly after the attack, her older brother was sent on a crisis mission with his army unit and was wounded. He is being treated in a Jerusalem hospital. Ayelet's family was also evacuated to Jerusalem. But Ayelet feels lonely and frightened, cut off from her friends who fled to other cities. She and her mother were able to participate in a therapeutic mosaic workshop offered by the Jerusalem Foundation at the hotel.
“Ayelet’s world has been shattered twice in recent weeks: first the barrage of rockets on our city, then the news that her beloved brother was wounded,” says Ayelet’s mother. “Then I watched her become absorbed in her little artwork. It was moving. The art workshop helped her begin to piece together the fragments of her little world.”
Ilai's fear
Ilai is six years old. His father is a psychologist. Since the beginning of the war against Hamas terrorism, Ilai's father has been working tirelessly to treat traumatized patients. That's why Ilai now attends a daycare center supported by the Jerusalem Foundation. But the beginning wasn't easy.
“When Ilai first arrived, we practiced with the children how to run to the shelter as quickly as possible in case of a rocket alert,” reports a caregiver. “Ilai refused to come along. It was difficult for him to settle in. He couldn’t stop crying.”
But with a lot of patience and ingenuity, caregiver Lia gained his trust. For the rest of the day, he only allowed her to communicate with him. Her attempts to get Ilai to play with the other children were unsuccessful.
"Then I'll run to you, and you'll protect me."
Finally, the two invented a game: Lia and Ilai boarded a tour bus together, which would take them to Eilat for a wonderful vacation. Slowly, Ilai began to run around again. Every now and then, he snuggled up to Lia. His laughter returned, too. The idea of a vacation trip helped him cope with the unfamiliar situation.
That afternoon, Lia asked her charge again what he should do in case of an air raid alarm. Ilai replied, "If a siren goes off, I'll run to you and you'll take me in your arms and protect me from the missiles." Then he placed his hand on Lia's face and added, "The most important thing is to protect our faces!"
At the end of a long day at kindergarten, Ilai's father was able to receive his son directly from Lia, who carried him piggyback to the door.
The Jerusalem Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for diverse population groups in Jerusalem and has been supported for many years by Christians who stand with Israel. Currently, the foundation is primarily supporting the war-affected population in Jerusalem.
Find out how you can support Israel during this difficult time here!
