Actually I was waiting for this day. I live in Tel-Aviv, next to a six-lane road leading to all the northern bedroom neighborhood and cities.
Yom Kippur is the only day when this Sambbatyon – noisy river of cars and pollution - stops still as if enchanted.
The only day when all the roads are free for pedestrians and bicycles.
Everybody is on the street, walking, meeting friends and enemies– all the people who throughout the year hide in their apartments and cars come out of their confinement…
It’s Fall, when you don’t need any air conditioning.
Pleasantly cool, especially in the evening.
The youngsters don’t go to sleep at all, as if to savor every minute, and so do most of the adults, except the ones who fast – a minority in my mostly secular neighborhood.
A community festival.
Now, with the Internet, we don’t even miss the silenced radio – no more the feeling of being cut from our lifeline in this insane climate.
Another Yom Kippur.
Thirty years ago I was writing in a friend’s room, lent to me as he went to spent the day with his family.
There was some baffling traffic on the road. I didn’t know yet that those were men rushing to their units.
Then all of a sudden I heard The Alarm.
Like in the 2nd WW; as in 1967 for a short while.
I ran out and all the way to my home.
This is my recurring memory from that day:
Say “Yom Kippur” and all I see is myself running, feeling it takes forever and I might not ever reach home and family in time.
Thirty years to the day later, and still violence surprises us.
One can never get used to death and sorrow.
Today terror came to visit the northern city of Haiffa.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Corinna my dear, I hope you are well. I am (as always) terribly sorry about the violence in your country. The vast majority want it to end for all involved, as I know you do. Unfortunately it doesn't take many to wreak death and terror.
Could you please write to me with your correct email address - the one I have bounces. Take care
2 - Natalie Davis
Bless you, Corrinna, and thanks for this beautiful posting. Many people -- Israeli, Palestinian, American -- have much to atone for on this Yom Kippur. I wish you peace.
3 - Particleman
Corinna, I wish you and everyone in Israel all the safety possible. I have three cousins in Israel, one of which is starting his second year at the Technion in Haifa. Do you know if The Maxim was near the school?
Anyway, be safe and have an easy fast. It's 10 in the morning here and my stomach is already grumbling...
4 - Corinna Hasofferett
Thank you Natalie, I went to see your site and saw your picture. Both are beautiful as is the spirit showing in your comment.
Thank you, Maya Shoshana's father.
I'm secular so I don't fast ever, and with my heart condition I would have been released even if I were not an atheist.
Ecologically speaking, I wish things were switched so that we had Yom Kippur daily (ok - except one day a year for those addicted to their cars...).
Somehow I believe that it might alleviate our political situation as well.
Maxim is located at the southern entrance to Haifa (which is the entrance from Tel-Aviv of course), by the beach. The Technion is on the Carmel mountain, so quite far away.
The victim patrons hailed from many places outside Haifa, since the place, so we are told, was a very popular restaurant.
Thanks Eric, with this site I get to feel less lonely on this Planet Madness.