Over the course of a single night, history rolled back in a flashback: in the morning, it resonated with the Yom Kippur War of 1973. By noon, it bore similarities to the War of Independence in 1948, and as the evening fell, we found ourselves transported to the Kishinev Pogroms of 1903. From 2023 to 1903 in just one day.
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On the morning of October 7th, we lost our trust in our government and leaders. By noon, our self-confidence had waned, and by evening, we had broken our most vital promise to ourselves: never again!
The Yom Kippur War, because we were caught by surprise, we weren't prepared, and we lost the battle. I also lost my handsome next-door neighbor, whom I secretly loved when I was a young girl, before he got married and left his wife with a little baby. Everyone had their own personal losses during that dreadful war.
The War of Independence, because, like back then, there were face-to-face battles where our civilians fought alongside the armed forces. Kibbutz Be'eri endured a struggle reminiscent of that war, with its houses in ruins and its residents seeking shelter in bunkers and ditches.
Dorit SilvermanPhoto: Gabriel BaharliaIn Kishinev, fifty Jews lost their lives. Thanks to Bialik, our national poet, we eternally remember them. Bialik's poem, however, leaves an indelible mark in our memories, making it seem like hundreds perished, when in reality it was fifty. Kishinev - where children, the elderly, and pregnant women with no protection were mercilessly slaughtered.
Now, even time itself bows its head in solemn reverence for the harrowing fate that befell the once-proud kibbutzim and their brave members. May they rest in eternal peace.
Please God, help us find the strength to rise once more.
- Dorit Silverman, Author