By Michael Kuttner…

“Sorry, your electrician, plumber and computer technician are not available because they are on miluim (IDF reserve duty)”.

One of the unique aspects to life in Israel is a requirement for those who have completed their military service to be recalled for reserve duty. That means at given time when you need their services they may very well be unavailable.

At this time in particular large numbers of men and women have been recalled to the IDF which means that their lives are disrupted, their businesses are in limbo and families are apart.

This is the price Israelis have to pay for defending the country from those whose evil intent manifests itself every day of the year.

OPERATION HUG

In what must be a world first, hundreds of flights have been organized for parents of lone soldiers serving in combat positions to come to Israel and meet up with their children.

It is a uniquely Jewish expression of solidarity and love which exemplifies the age old bonds which tie Jews together no matter where they reside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06D6EpiGnZU

THE REAL SPIRIT OF ISRAEL

Some 7000 Netanya children came to the city stadium to demonstrate unity and solidarity and express their desire to see the return of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.

See other videos of adults and children displaying that Israelis will never surrender to those that hate us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hptZdP_hulY

A POWERFUL MESSAGE

We cannot be defined by our victimhood. We must be defined by our resilience.

This is the powerful message that Jewish history teaches all of us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSJHbY97iwc

INSPIRATIONAL 

Watch this most moving testimony of a young woman whose husband was killed while rescuing people on October 7.

Her spirit and faith are inspirational.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC08QbsRluM

Michael Kuttner is a Jewish New Zealander who for many years was actively involved with various communal organisations connected to Judaism and Israel. He now lives in Israel. 

[This article was originally published on J-Wire and is reproduced here with permission from Michael Kuttner.]