Rabbi Howard Morrison

We began our day at Adi, a rehab facility in the Ofakim area. Adi in English stands for ability, diversity, inclusion. We visited with young and old, some of whom were impacted by October 7. In Hebrew, one sign read, "Sometimes we are similar. Sometimes we are different. We are always of the same worth." The location of Adi was not found on Hamas maps and was miraculously spared on October 7. Hundreds of amputees and wounded came to Adi on that fateful day.

As we walked around Ofakim, we saw the names and photos of murdered civilians from October 7 in front of their homes and on park benches. All are called "Giborei Yisrael - Heroes of Israel."

At Moshav Tekuma, we literally witnessed the over 1500 cars which were burned out and shot at by Hamas in the Nova Festival area on October 7. We learned how Zaka went thru every vehicle to ensure the removal and respect of body parts. We could barely fathom the people who suffered in these automobiles.

We passed by Kibbutz Be'eri and other attacked kibbutzim. Given that residents have not returned, out of respect, we did not enter directly.

At the forest site of the Nova Festival, we visited the memorial sites where some 364 young people were brutally slain. We witnessed a Sofer writing a new Torah scroll dedicating each letter to the souls of the holy ones, who cherished life and peace. At the site, we davened Mincha, as we have done every weekday, and recited Kaddish in memory of lives lost.

On the main road, we stopped by and entered the safe house where Anar Shapira, of blessed memory, tried to hold off terrorists and from where Hersh Goldberg - Polin was taken hostage.

To properly wrap up an emotionally charged day, we helped prepare a barbecue for an elite IDF air force unit,#669, at their air base, Tel Nof, between Kadera and Rechovot. The food was augmented by song and spirituality between us and the soldiers.

This was truly a day of bearing testimony and giving support.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Howard Morrison