A Personal Reflection by Aaron Reich
What Happened
October 2024 started with an aggressive missile assault on Israel, as over 500 missiles were launched from Iran. The day quickly transformed from routine to chaotic. Sequestered at my father’s home in Modi’in awaiting a grocery delivery, reality struck hard when missile alert notifications populated my phone, and the ominous wail of sirens filled the air.
Why It Matters
Israel’s consistent reliance on IDF innovation and defensive measures during an attack underscores the unwavering resilience of its people. Despite intense adversities, the Israeli spirit to maintain normalcy and push through remains unyielded.
The All-Consuming Moment
When chaos unfolded, I rushed into the bomb shelter with my computer, determined to keep working despite challenging conditions like intermittent Wi-Fi, insufficient air conditioning, and poor ventilation. This unrelenting push for normalcy characterizes the daily lives of Israelis—and starkly separates routine civilian life from extraordinary measures that safeguard it.
Maintaining Sanity Amidst Crisis
The pursuit of normalcy serves as a coping mechanism. Yet underlying this facade is an unspoken yet profound fear, fed by a peril out of our control and foisted upon us through violent means. The real struggle during these hours is not just enduring physical discomfort but managing profound emotional stress.
Personal Stakes Peak
Separated from my fiancée, pets, and many friends, I initially took solace in the mistaken belief that areas like Jerusalem remain unassailable. My heart sank as alerts reported threat rapproachment there too. It catalyzed personal worry on an unprecedented scale.
Clearing My Mind in Modi’in
While checking constantly to ensure loved ones’ safety and trying to calm my own anxiety, I espoused confidence borne from collective spirit. Sustaining hope, Jews widely believe together, we will win, albeit overwhelmed in a solitary moment trapped within that bomb shelter alone in Modi’in.
Looking Forward
Amid grappling with immediate stressors such as protecting loved ones and checking their well-being, anchoring faith on forthcoming days voicing “together we conquer,” attaches mental reinforcement. Inside this Modi’in bomb shelter, all remains uncertain except my deep-seated belief that we will overcome.
Tags
Jerusalem • Iran and Israel • Iran Missiles • War
This story was first published on jpost.com.