Stranded Boro Park Resident Gives Firsthand Report From Eretz Yisroel

YS Gold 

In the aftermath of the horrific events of Simchas Torah, many Americans still remain stranded in the holy land—including a number of Boro Park residents. Dovid Weinberger is one of them, and he spoke with BoroPark24 about his Yom Tov experiences, and about his efforts to return to America. 

“Yom Tov began like any other,” he recalls. “We went to spend the second days in Bnei Brak, and I went to sleep at about 3:00 a.m., following the hakofos.” 

“Rumors began filtering in in the morning about an attack in the south, and reports started coming in around 12:00 noon about a terrible attack, and that there were about 200 killed. As the day wore on, the number kept growing, and pall descended on the entire town. Things were unclear… due to Yom Tov, but we knew that something historically terrible was happening. 

At night, the Iron Dome system was going off every few minutes with loud booms, causing terror for the women and children. Hakofos shniyos were cancelled, and people from out of the country, who hold two days, made hakofos quickly… hoping that this nightmare will soon be over. 

Following Yom Tov, the frantic effort to leave the country began—a nightmare in and of itself, for anyone not fortunate to have been booked on El Al. “Panic soon set in, as more and more airlines—to America and to Europe—were cancelling their flights,” Dovid recalls. “It was almost impossible to find a flight out. “It’s an emotional roller coaster. We would get onto a flight, only for it to be cancelled… 

“We feel abandoned by our country. While many other countries are getting their citizens out, we feel that America’s efforts are halfhearted,” Dovid said in frustration. “We feel that the Americans are asleep… the Polish government sent aircraft to evacuate their citizens, and the British are working on the same thing.  

As of now, Dovid hopes to get his family on a flight to Europe early next week, but, he says, it is important to feel the pain of our brethren in Eretz Yisroel as they endure the worst attack since the Holocaust.  

“While this time is very difficult for us, especially those who are stuck here with children—it’s still important to keep in mind that there are people here who are suffering the unimaginable,” Dovid says. “And as one Klal Yisroel, it is an extremely valuable experience to feel the pain of our brethren up close… it is good to feel with them.”   

photo credit: Flash 90