Yesterday I focused on the question of whether the residents of the communities attacked on October 7th would be able to return and rebuild. For some, the answer is yes: they are taking on the challenge in the face of danger and trauma. For others, moving on is the only option.
I started out with a sunrise run along the Ashdod shore, then visited the local museum of Philistine history and culture, where they have incredible artifacts, including real columns from a Philistine temple at Gath -- such as the columns Samson pushed over in the Bible.
From there, I drove to Kibbutz Nirim, where I met Adele Raemer, who is rebuilding her home and her community. It was incredibly inspiring to see the effort that is going into restoring a place that was overrun on October 7 -- including female army volunteers, all new immigrants.
I then drove to the village of Gedera, where I met with a long-lost relative who is one of the leading combat engineers of the IDF, blowing up tunnels and terrorist buildings in Gaza. From there, I visited the Rai family in Kiryat Gat, survivors of Kibbutz Nir Oz who may not return.
I ended the evening with dinner in Ashdod -- kebab on the grill, with vegetables and Israeli salad. There is nothing like the food in Israel -- fresh, healthy, fulfilling. I lose a little weight when I'm here, just because I'm so active... but truly, people here know how to enjoy food.
I should add that while all of this was going on, as interesting and positive as it was, Israel was under severe rocket and missile attack in the north and center of the country, and news came that Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, a Chabad rabbi in Abu Dhabi, had been murdered by Iranian terrorists.
In July, I visited Abu Dhabi and was told by Jews there how safe they felt in the United Arab Emirates. The horrifying murder of Rabbi Kogan is a reminder that Jews are never really safe.
Adele Raemer told me that Israel still felt like the safest place for Jews. I asked her about that feeling: how could she feel that way after losing so many people she knew on October 7th that the names filled four notebook pages? She thought about that contradiction, and answered: in Israel, we Jews are in control of our security. The army is our army. That's the sense of safety.
Today's episode is devoted to the second anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks. It was produced before the announcement of a ceasefire deal, yet remains current & relevant.
Please listen, and #bringthemhome.
SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET (4-7 PT)
This week's portion is a beautiful poem, containing the Covenant between God and the people of Israel. But given the breaking news that Hamas may actually have agreed to release all of the Israeli hostages, I will devote my remarks to that.
One hopes it is true; if so, it makes this week's additional reading, from II Samuel 22, even more relevant: David's song of praise to the Lord for delivering him from the hand of his enemies.
"18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support."
So much to focus on this week -- and much breaking news. A peace deal in the Middle East, perhaps? Eric Adams dropping out of the mayor's race? And a looming shutdown as Democrats push their demands beyond absurdity.
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