Tzeva Adom (Color Red)

Today I went to Sderot. We got on the bus, and our Madrich (or counselor) told us that, while in Sderot, if we hear a siren go off repeating "Tzeva Adom" (Color Red), we need to immediately run to the nearest bomb shelter. "Tzeva Adom" is the warning that Kassam Rockets may be heading to the area. Once the siren goes off, you have 15 seconds to get to a safe location.

We arrived in Sderot, and were once again instructed what to do if we heard the "Tzeva Adom" warning. They reassured us, though, that the room we were sitting in, a large room in the Chabad House, had been converted into a bomb shelter, so we would be safe there.

We spent the day listening to lectures speakers talk to us about life in Sderot. Sderot is a smile town that sits just miles from the Gaza strip. Since Hamas took over the Gaza strip, thousands of Kassam rockets (a small number of which can be seen in the picture I took at the police station), have bombarded Sderot, as well as other cities in the area, including Ashkelon, where I still have family. It is because of these rockets that were continually fired into Israel, that Israel took it's actions towards Gaza a few years ago.

In the beginning of 2009, a cease fire was declared between Gaza and Israel. Since there, there have only been a little over 300 rockets fired into Israel, although we were told the frequency increased since Israel intercepted the Gaza Flotilla. Someone asked, when the last "Tzeva Adom" alarm went off. We were told last Thursday, less than a week earlier. There were a couple of rockets, however, earlier this week that hit just south of Ashkelon, that came without warning, luckily no one was hurt. To be honest, I'm a bit surprised that, given the current situation with Gaza, they took us to Sderot. But, at the same time, maybe it's that much more important because of it.

We took a short tour of Sderot. Our first stop was at a playground. Parents had been scared to let their kids go out and play during the peak of the bombardment from Gaza. As a result, this worm was created as a bomb shelter. If kids hear the alarm go off while at the park, they have a safe place in the park.

Earlier, we had watched raw footage of kids at a school when the "Tzeva Adom" siren went off. I, thankfully, could never imagine what it's like growing up in a city where you live in fear. Constantly ready to run to the nearest bomb shelter. It was quite interesting to watch. The kids were taught to sing loudly once they enter the bomb shelter, to keep them from here the explosion.



Being there, seeing the city, all the bus stops that had been converted to bomb shelters. All the houses that had added bomb shelters to their properties. Constantly being told what to do in the event of a "Tzeva Adom," it really puts things into perspective, especially given the world's condemnation over Israel's actions on the "aid flotilla."

Spelunking

This weekend, I last minute decided to join a group that was going on a "cave hike." I didn't really know what to expect, but I was aware of a giant cave near Beit Shemesh (where we were heading), do I thought we'd just walk through the cave. Well, we didn't go to that cave. Instead, we went to an area that used to be a Jewish village in the days when the Jews were forced out of Jerusalem (and a lot of times into hiding) in order to avoid being persecuted by the Romans.

Let me start by saying we had AMAZING weather. Israel in the summer is not known for being fun. It tends to be hot, and humid, but we had a great day. It was warm, but we had a nice breeze. We arrive at the place, and Itzik informs us that we will be going to three cave.

The first, was used as a storage area (hence all the holes).

The second one was where people would bury their dead. The room that I'm standing in front of is where they used to take the bones of their loved ones to be stored a few years after their death. This was done because of the limited space to bury everyone in your family in the same place. Luckily, the bones are no longer present here.

Actually, this cave was carved out quite nicely. By far, the most decorative cave of the three. More than that, they had created a gate to try to keep grave robbers out. A giant wheel is positioned between the stones and rolled closed. These caves are also made up of the Jerusalem stone that is seen in buildings all over Jerusalem.


The third cave was a bit different. We started by lying on our stomach and commando crawling through a tiny little space, just to reach a space big enough for 3 (in which we had at least 10 before Itzik agreed to move forward). This pattern continued until we got to the "giant room in the cave where we were able to all sit somewhat comfortably for a little. This cave is referred to as the "refugee cave." It was here that the public of the village could go to hide from the Romans. Because of this, the entrances are so hard (to make it that much more difficult for the Romans to get through with all of their gear). There are dead ends, the tunnels move up and down in unexpected ways. All in an attempt to make things more difficult for the Romans. Not to mention the absolute darkness. It's one thing to be in a little cave with a flashlight on, but in darkness...

All in all, it was quite a pleasant and unexpected way to spend the day. Yet another reminder of how much history there actually is in Israel.