Israeli Security Is The Best

After the terrorist in the US actually made it on to the plane with the makings of a bomb, some finally have started realizing that the US security system isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Jameel at the Muqata said it best- that it's about the people. That America wastes it's time checking unnecessary people- like a randomly selected 4 year old, for example, while Israel checks those who should be checked.

I found this interesting- that even the New York Times has opened a forum to discuss whether or not the US should adopt the Israeli version of security. One commentator said a true statement. In Israel- it's about safety. In the US, it's about convenience. Another remarked on how Israeli security officials are firm, thorough, and yet still polite and respectful.

Check it out here.

Edited: Even better, most of the comments are PRO Israel! Which is wonderful to hear.

Siren Alert

I had just finished eating breakfast together with Mr. NMF (a rare occurance, but he had to go in late today), while simultaneously trying to hold NBD in my arms (Yes, she's going to be spoiled rotten. Oh well. You can't love a child too much, is what I say!) I left the kitchen, and started to hear a noise. It sounded vaguely familiar, not something like the wind rushing through my screen door- and then I realized, it was the siren.

The emergency air raid siren- the one that's supposed to sound in case of a terrorist attack on Jerusalem.

I turned to Mr. NMF- and questioned, "Was that the siren?" When the answer was affirmative- we both grabbed stuff. I took a phone, and Mr. NMF took my computer, starting to check on websites to see if that was real or not. Thankfully, when I called my neighbor, she told me it was a test run, and there was nothing to be worried about. Jameel (or rather JoeSettler) at the Muqata alerted us to that fact also.

But it got me thinking. How prepared am I? Do I have stockpiles in case of emergency in the small sealed room of my apartment? Do I actually know what to do? Do I actually expect something to happen?

I wasn't quite sure. Mostly, here in Jerusalem, we live such a relaxed, idyllic lifestyle- that a terrorist attack shakes us up quite a bit. It's not like it was in years past- where there was a terror attack every week- and my friends and I had posters on our walls of the Jews brutally murdered by these attacks.

Am I ever going to be prepared- emotionally and physically- for a terror attack? It's like my mind was in shock- the siren is on, that means there is a possiblity of attack. I couldn't even think past the fact of: it can't be. Not here, not now. No.

Yet I know people who have been killed- I know people who have lost husbands, fathers, sons, daughters, mothers. I know there is a possiblity, that if I step on a bus- a terrorist could get on too. In Haifa just recently, with tremendous Siyata Dishmaya- help from Heaven, a terrorist attack was averted- equal to 10-15 sucide bombers.

So it could happen. But, I live in hope, as the 'frog said to the princess'- and I don't think I'll ever truly be prepared for a real siren. Bitachon- faith in Hashem. I fear no evil- because Hashem is with me.

Mourning

I can't even express my feelings in words. They are too complicated, confused, saddened, and grief oriented. But seeing this picture pop up on my screen this morning just made it all the worse.

Source: AP Photos and AOL News

My heart breaks for the little one, who will never see his parents again. And for the 8 orphans left behind from a father killed in another country. And for all of Klal Yisroel- who weeps together for the Kedoshim.

They were killed because they were Jews, because they went to a foreign country to work for their parnasa, to perform kiruv, to be mashgiach some of the foods we eat...
Their funerals are today in Israel.

May all those who are mourning them be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.