Israel Through Our Eyes - Blog No.1

Israel Through Our Eyes - Blog No.1

Hi Greenwich,

We are your new Israeli Emissaries - Itamar and Matan. We decide this year to write a blog for the community. Here we will share items from Israel through our point of view as youth who just graduated high school, as adults who are going to serve in the IDF next year, and as emissaries for Israel to your great community.

Tzuk Eitan

On Thursday October 2, Israel marked a month from the end of the last operation in Gaza, "Tzuk Eitan" – "Protective Edge". We want to expose you to two problems that have not been in the world media: the need to rehabilitate the fields and villages around Gaza strip quickly,and to help the young kids of the area to go back to normal life.

The IDF vehicles and tents, which stayed by the Gaza strip all summer, damaged the fields and farms, and the “open areas”. In addition, rockets from Gaza strip fell on some farms, and sometimes caused huge fires. It has affectedIsrael in many ways. For example, because of damage to the fields, the prices of fruits and vegetables became much higher which caused huge damage to the economy.

After a long time under fire, communities are trying to return to normal life; and kids all around the area, in villages, Kibbutzim and cities had a hard time adjusting back to normal after a long time away from home.

Teens go south

To help with both situations volunteers - in a year of service “Shnat Sherut”  decided to contribute. One of the groups from"Mechinat Rabin"- chose to volunteer at the Gaza border for three weeks. They helped with agricultural work – plowing and planting fields, and helped educational institutes, schools, and preschools by restorating and renovating damaged houses, and opening the school year as normally as possible.

Remember the Victims: "This Is Our Tune"

To commemorate, October 2, a month after the last Israeli soldier left the Gaza strip, “Galatz”, the Army Radio, one of the most popular radio stations in Israel, held a tribute called "This Is Our Tune" in honor and memory of the 72 victims of the operation in Gaza, "Tzuk Eitan.” Abroadcast that aired throughout the day and mentioned each victim through the music theyloved, and through words of their family and friends.

The broadcast is available on "Galatz" website, where you will find a photo of each victim with a few minutes that their family and friends talk about them, then below is the song they chose to remember them by. You can find, also, the whole 10 hours broadcast on the botton of the page. Some of the songs are in English and some are in Hebrew. We think it could be a good way to honor those that are not with us anymore. It was their tune, and for now, this is our tune.

- Itamar & Matan