BEERSHEVA, Israel — Following a quiet night of silent and empty streets in Beer Sheva and Ashkelon, the sun camp up Wednesday morning to the terrifying sound of rockets that continued intermittently throughout the day. An influx of reserve soldiers in both locations helped prevent chaos on the streets as countless numbers of locals flocked to Chabad centers for support.
Chabad Centers in Beer Sheva, Ashkelon Double as Bomb Shelters As Children, Adults Wait Out the War
BEERSHEVA, Israel — Following a quiet night of silent and empty streets in Beer Sheva and Ashkelon, the sun camp up Wednesday morning to the terrifying sound of rockets that continued intermittently throughout the day. An influx of reserve soldiers in both locations helped prevent chaos on the streets as countless numbers of locals flocked to Chabad centers for support.
Still reeling from their first ever rocket attack on Tuesday, residents of Beer Sheva, the largest city in Israel’s Negev area, were on edge as incessant air raid sirens and explosions filled the air. An empty girl’s school near the municipality took a direct hit. Because of the city-wide school closure, no one was injured by a Grad rocket that penetrated the building’s roof and caused severe damage.
Beer Sheva
Operating from his Chabad center built in a large, centrally located bomb shelter, Rabbi Zalman Gorelik of Beer Sheva has opened his doors and increased programming to accommodate locals, many who have no shelter.
Gorelik is also reaching out to IDF soldiers. “The soldiers started arriving last night and we were prepared to address their needs, distributing food and books of Tehillim, [Psalms],” said Rabbi Gorelik. “Today, we gathered several community members to reach out to soldiers in the nearby base. People want to do something about the situation and the soldiers are so grateful when we come.”
With air raid sirens and rocket explosions in the background, local Ben Gurion university Professor Velvel Greene led his normally scheduled class on science and Torah last night. Other classes were set to take place, including impromptu programs for children since all schools are closed.
