Bomb Shelters & Bunkers
Ashkelon Residents Take Refuge From Gaza Missiles
in Chabad Bomb Shelters
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Activities for kids; assistance to all
It’s the third day of “Operation Shield and Arrow,” and children are engaged in activities and entertainment in the bomb shelters of the Chabad Houses of Ashkelon. While there are sounds of song and laughter, there are signs of anxiety on everyone’s faces.
More than 800 rockets aimed at civilian centers in Israel have been launched by terrorists in Gaza over the last 36 hours. In Ashkelon, sirens have been ongoing, giving residents a 30-second warning to reach shelter—the approximate time it takes for a rocket launched from Gaza to reach the coastal city. With sirens so frequent, most residents prefer to stay in the shelters and only leave for short, urgent needs.
Chabad-Lubavitch of Ashkelon, directed by Rabbi Menachem M. and Yehudis Lieberman, was well-prepared for this crisis. Its network of 37 emissary couples swiftly mobilized as soon as the Israeli military operation commenced on the morning of Lag BaOmer. Lag BaOmer parades were transitioned to a nationwide online “parade,” which soon reached Zoom’s maximum capacity. Chabad centers promptly opened their bomb shelters, stocking them with essential supplies and offering a safe haven for children and their parents. In the shelters, children have been enjoying art projects, fun games and a show called “Class King,” performed by the children themselves.
In Ashkelon’s Neve Dekalim neighborhood, Rabbi Chaim Atias hosted an impromptu Lag BaOmer parade inside the Chabad House shelter—children took turns going up to a makeshift stage with their drums, signs, and chants of the 12 pesukim, or Torah verses. They then marched around the bomb shelter, exiting one door and walking the few steps to the shelter’s second door. It was a very minimized version of what had been planned, but still gave the children a feeling of empowerment and expression amidst the unpredictable.
“There’s nothing like Chabad!” wrote one parent, after forwarding a photo of the children relaxing in the bomb shelter to her local parents’ WhatsApp group.
Many Ashkelon residents don’t have bomb shelters in their homes, while others are not healthy enough to cope with wartime conditions. In response, Chabad emissaries and families in Ashkelon and in towns and cities around Israel have set up a network to evacuate people in need, find them a fitting place to relocate, and provide safe transportation to their temporary homes.
“This morning I received a message about an elderly woman who had previously experienced a traumatic fall while running to shelter,” said Lieberman. “Since the operation outbreak on Tuesday, she has been staying in a public bomb shelter with nothing but a mattress on the floor. We found someone to drive her to Jerusalem, where she is being hosted by kind volunteers. This is one of the many individual situations we are dealing with right now.”
While Chabad of Ashkelon has years of experience helping the local community under fire, there is one new segment of the community that brings a different set of challenges.
In the first year of the war in Ukraine, Ashkelon absorbed much of the Chabad community of Zhitomer, including many families and an orphanage headed by Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm.
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The Zhitomer orphans live in two large homes in Ashkelon and attend the Chabad of Ashkelon schools. The homes have bomb shelters where the children are now spending their days and dealing with traumas similar to those they had escaped.
On Wednesday evening, a missile from Gaza landed not far from Rabbi Wilhelm’s new home in Ashkelon.
“Now some are wondering why they left the missiles in Ukraine only to be under fire here,” said Lieberman.
Despite the challenges, the children are kept occupied. They attend classes online and via Zoom, along with their fellow 2,000 students in Chabad of Ashkelon’s school system, and teachers are incorporating therapeutic lessons and educational entertainment into the children’s days.
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Another Day in the Bomb Shelters
As the rockets continue to rain on Southern Israel the children of Ashkelon spent yet another day of Summer Vacation in the Bomb Shelters.
Chai Ashkelon is in the forefront of ensuring that the children are well protected physically and also preoccupied with healthy activity, thereby protecting the children psychologically from all of the stress and tension of the war.
Today Chai ensured a full range of activity for hundreds of children they care for. Candy making, arts and crafts, painting and much warmth and love to the children.
Thank G-D the Chai team was paid back many times over with the smiles and appreciation of the dear children.
Please help us continue to strengthen our children, and overcome these trying times.
Adopt a Bomb Shelter today.
I would like to thank all those who answered our call and helped continue this vital work.
Please follow us on https://www.facebook.com/chai.ashkelon
We are still trying to further the campaign for Leatherman wire cutters and knives for front line soldiers. This tool can sometimes save their life – by having these tools on hand.
Please join and ask others to join the campaign by donating at:
http://www.cashkelon.com
War continues and Chai visits children in the Bomb Shelters
As the war continues and the tragic toll in human life grows.
The Chai Team with Rabbi Lieberman visit and encourage the children.
The toys and prizes help the time pass as well do not let the children dwell on the threatening sounds of war.
Hundreds of children were visited and presents as well as sweets were distributed.
Chai would like to thank all the donors who made the gifts possible.
Thank you!
Visiting all the Bomb shelters
Aid to Ashkelon
Members of Chai of Ashkelon are visiting all the bomb shelters. The picture that emerges is a difficult one. Many shelters are located in poor neighborhoods. There is a lack of basic supplies, food, heaters and blankets.
Rabbi Lieberman, executive director of Chai Ashkelon calls upon you to help. Your assistance is vital for people in distress. Supplies needed are food that does not need refrigeration, toasters, hot plates, radiators, books, games and more.
Those who wish to assist please call 054-4253241
email office@CAshkelon
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Chabad Ashkelon Visiting Victims of Recent Rocket Attacks
Representatives of Chai Ashkelon went to show support to families whose homes were damaged by rockets. After the direct hit of the Grad rocket the residents of the building are still suffering increased levels of stress and trauma. After seeing the representatives of Chai the residents immediately began to share not just about their stressful experience but also their miraculous escape from physical injury. After no small amount of encouragement from the Chai representatives, smiles began to return to their faces. The rocket made a direct hit on the roof of a four storey building, destroying the top apartment and continuing down into the third floor apartment. Miraculously, neither of the apartments were occupied at the moment of impact, with one resident having left just moments before the impact to get her grandson from school.
Ashkelon Residents Get Decorated Bunkers
With every rocket explosion you find frightened citizens who feel that they were miraculously saved from injury but nonetheless terrified at the new reality. At each site emmissaries of Chai Ashkelon arrive and pass out Psalms as well as lay tefillin with the residents. Members of Chai Ashkelon are constantly visiting the numerous bunkers around the city with encouraging words, a warm meal and toys for the children. In the photo Rabbi Lieberman, founder of Chai Ashkelon, meets with a graduate of Chai's educational system - now a soldier defending our homeland
Visiting the Children in Hospital's Bunker
With ever increasing rocket fire on Ashkelon and the surrounding cities the Home Front Command had the childrens' ward of Barzilai Hospital moved into the hospital bunker. Several days before we visited with many of these children during Hannukah, now we return once again to help bring some joy into the constant fear felt by all residents of Southern Israel. During this period we are also organizing activities for the soldiers in the region as well as for many elderly who have no family to check after their well being