"How do you treat post trauma stress when it's not post" asked Ohad, the social worker showing us spent kassam rockets at the Sderot Police Station. He picked up one rocket and noted that it was shot into Sderot just one month earlier, on his Birthday. Buildings have been damaged. Lives have been lost. Scores injured. However the largest damage is done to the souls of those living in this beautiful city of Sderot, once known as the Pearl of the South. The hardest stories to hear are about the children. Minutes before we were standing on a hill, overlooking Gaza from a shorter distance than New York is to Hoboken. Turning around, I was struck by how lovely the village is on this beautiful day.
I was then struck by how lovely the people are after meeting three local children in a program that helps the kids of Sderot. After watching them paint lovely dreidels for the upcoming holiday of Hannukah, we were then completely blown away when they offered them to us as gifts. This trip has pulled on my heartstrings more than any other.
Israeli's being Israeli, they have responded. The agency helps fund programs that treat trauma and helps form response teams. An anti-missle defense has been also been implemented. The people persevere.
The rockets may have slowed from over 50 per day to fewer than that per month. However it is unknown how long the unseen human tragedy will last. I will certainly be paying close attention. As my new friend 10 year old Leah said as I was leaving, see you next time.
Ross Mazer
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