| It was late at night, Elul 5764 (Sept. 2004). The crescent moon hid behind the clouds and a gray mist rolled in from the sea. In Neve Dekalim (translates to Oasis of palm trees), Gush Katif, most houses were already dark, but here and there a light shone from behind a curtained window. A dove (symbol for peace) nestled contently in the fronds of a tall palm tree opposite the synagogue complex. "It's quiet tonight" remarked Mrs. Cohen, intent on reaching the top of the hill without stopping to rest. "Don't open your mouth to the devil" retorted Mrs. Mizrachi , quickening her pace. "Why just the other week..." Suddenly a whistling folllowed by a huge BOOM shattered the peaceful night. The perched dove was now a bloody mess, the fronds were all knocked off and the palm tree cloven in two. A few minutes later a loudspeaker was heard crackling, and then "Good evening all residents. Mortars are falling. Please enter protected areas." At that moment I was in bed. Sleepily I rolled over, punched my pillow and went back to sleep. Rriinnggggg. Yawning, I sat up, rubbed my eyes and turned mty alarm clock off. Opening the blinds, I saw that it was a lovely foggy morning! I dressed, ate breakfast and was about to go next door to water my neighbor's garden, when bursts of gunshots accompanied by loud booms were heard. A few minutes later, loudspeakers crackling, we were told to stay in protected areas and not leave for school. Surprisingly, my siblings did NOT seem overjoyed at going to school late. All schools started late, between 8:30-9:00, and finished early. The local elementary school even bussed local children home - apparently more mortars were expected. After school I took our dog, Maxi, and walked down to see what the damage was. Bnei Akiva was in session; kids were on the grass playing by, around and next to the once tall palm tree. The mortar had exploded directly on the palm tree, not damaging anything else. The formidable palm tree had been reduced from ~ 6 meters to 1.3 meters. Though there's no green on the stump anymore, the palm tree was NOT uprooted by the explosion. Allegorical to us, the roots go deep down in the soil, and the tree will continue to hold fast and grow once more! "The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost." (Tolkien) |
| Fronds in the Breeze |
| home page Reproduction in any form without express written authorization by the author is strictly prohibited. You may forward the URL (link), but please do not forward the text itself. |
 |
| Palm tree suffered direct mortar hit. Synagogue, Neve Dekalim |
| Shifra Shomron Twelfth grade Ulpana Neve Dekalim |
|
|
|