The first time I came to Israel I was 21. It was a place I couldn’t imagine and couldn’t quite get my head around. I had grown up in Sydney attending a non Jewish school and had almost no Jewish friends. My interest was sparked by a class at my university called Arab-Israeli History and a wonderful professor who would supervise my studies for the next 6 years. I loved it and was amazed to see people who didn’t look alike at all connected by something greater than themselves. That was 30 years ago and today I love it more than I could have ever imagined.
For the past 20 years we have come with our 4 children as often as possible. My sons both know Tel Aviv almost as well as they know Melbourne and have favourite cafes, falafel stores and hummus places. The ties we have to this country are deep. They are emotional, spiritual and historical. We love the people, the places and the very concept of a Jewish state.
We were in Tel Aviv for two weeks last December/January and hosted non Jewish friends of ours who left with a new found sense of who we are and a passion for Israel and an understanding of Zionism. My husband organised an event for Mount Scopus College alumni and students- there were 3 year levels on ulpan programs at the same time- at an event attended by Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog and a concert by Idan Raichel. It was an incredible event experienced by over 1000 Jewish Australians and Israelis. It exemplified the strong bond between Israel and the Melbourne Jewish community.
We spent two weeks here in August on the beach and it was the most amazing part of a three month trip. We loved that the beach was always busy with young Israelis playing some kind of ball games which made the beach almost inaccessible. We adored that every restaurant and bar would be busy 7 nights of the week and there were always new places to discover. At the time, the streets of Tel Aviv on a Saturday night were filled with thousands of people carrying Israeli flags protesting for their country and to protect their democracy. It was like nothing we had ever seen. Patriots who had fought for their country and wouldn’t stand still when they felt it was under any threat.
We were meant to come for two weeks in December while our youngest daughter came on Ulpan with her cohort. This didn’t happen. October 7th changed everything. It changed Israel and it changed all of us. Now everything is seen as how will it affect Israel and the Jewish people. If we had close ties before now they are even closer. Now a Magen David is always on my neck and Israel is always on my mind. We decided that we would still come to Israel if there were airlines flying here.
We had to come. The pull was too strong to deny. I didn’t tell my parents we were coming here. I didn’t want them to worry. How strange and depressing that is what went through my mind. There are almost no tourists here. The images of the hostages are everywhere. Murals on walls all over Tel Aviv. Heartbreaking signs and graffitied walls calling for the release of loved ones. Large toy bears covered in blood stains and bruises sit lifeless on Dizengoff reminding everyone there were children and their families mutilated and murdered. Dizengoff Square is a memorial with flowers and candles and pictures of those taken away in an act of barbarism which will never be forgotten.
Despite the description of an ‘apartheid state’ I continue to see people of all backgrounds and colours. I have had Arab shopkeepers and taxi drivers who live in Jerusalem and plan to stay there. One of our favourite hummus places is proudly Arabic and as busy as ever. Soldiers are Druze, Arab, Yemenite, Russian, black, white, Asian and all tied by the Israeli flag they carry.
Soldiers walk around with their guns and bear the burden of their nation. My sons have close friends who are serving and we talk about their bravery and how worried we are for them. My son got to see one friend but his closest friend wasn’t able to see his messages while we were here. We missed seeing his smiling face. We pray for him and his safe return. He is a hero. They are all our heroes.
Yesterday we went go to Hostage Square as they set up for another Shabbat without their loved ones. How unthinkable that is. It has been more than 85 days now and the hostages are not back. Their faces are etched in my mind and heart. The newpapers carry the faces of the young soldiers who have fallen on the battlefield of Gaza defending their homeland and people. The heartbreak is unbearable and yet as always in Israel life goes on.
On Saturday we walked to our last dinner in our favourite restaurant. We went to a rally. There were once again the Israeli flags we had seen in August butthis time there was a very different feeling. It was the same determination but there was grief and anguish and the hostages and soldiers are at the forefront.
Walking through the airport was almost unbearable. Seeing the faces of the hostages still there was painful. Knowing what happened in the south, the slaughter of kids the same age as mine and the families and the babies…
It was the first time since Oct 7th that I haven’t focused on how the outside world views Israel. It was a huge relief. This little country which has given the world so much in medicine, music, academia, science, philosophy, and so much more. The start-up nation which changed the world. We left Israel bolstered by the time we spent there and nourished by the Israeli resilience and strength. We can’t wait to return and feel the warmth of a country where our souls are enriched and embraced.
Israel is forever changed by October 7th and so are we. We will advocate for Israel until we can no longer speak. It is the only Jewish State and the only state whose right to exist is questioned. Israel, however, will prevail and Israel will win. We stand with Israel and we always will.
Am Israel Chai.
Masha Gold
Melbourne
Australia
