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PROSE - 2006

Grades 7 - 9

First Place - Annie Fishman

Changes in the Blink of an Eye - Elana Orbuch

My old problems don’t matter anymore. It was just yesterday that I was playing with my friends after school. We worried about our grades, boys, and what to wear to school. Just recently my friend Michal complained to me that her mom wouldn’t let her buy this new swim suit. She said she needed a new suit because her old suits were out of style. The new one, she said, looked adorable. I was upset that my dad wouldn’t let me see this new movie. Everyone had seen it and thought it was hilarious. My dad said it was inappropriate for kids my age. I tried to convince him that it was okay because “everyone else” had seen the movie, but he still said no. I was annoyed because everyone was telling jokes from the movie and they were making fun of me because I couldn’t see it. Suddenly, the war started and my old problems did not matter any more.

The war started because of a kidnapping. Three soldiers, Gilad Shalit, Lt. Hanan Barak, and Staff-Sgt. Pavel Sultzker were taken; two were killed and one is still being held captive. This happened to them while they were serving in t’zahal, the Israeli army. The news reports state that they were based in Gaza. Although they are not related to me or anyone I know, we all cried when we heard the news. We understand that it could have been anyone. Gilad Shalit, the only one of them to survive, is being held captive by terrorists from the Hamas organization. The worst part is that he is suffering and it seems Israel can’t do anything to help him.

I imagine what it would be like if I was Hadas, his sister. I imagine knowing that all his achievements in life and knowledge in math and science are going to waste and there is nothing I can do about it. It is terrifying that this one act caused the current war.

Now that there is a war, all anyone worries about is death. It’s amazing how things can change right before your eyes, just a quick blink and nothing is the same. I have begun to worry for my older brothers, and everyone else fighting to help Israel. My oldest brother is Yonatan and he is 21 years old. My other brother is David and he is 18. Before the war they rarely entered my mind. I was too busy thinking about my own issues. Two days ago Yonatan got called back into service. He informed us that his unit would be going to Lebanon. He had just left the army and was planning to start college. My younger brother, David, had just entered the army and is already involved in the conflict. We don’t know where he is located or what he is doing. We have no contact with him.

Things change and when they do, life seems fragile. Only when things change, do people notice and appreciate how good they had it before. I now appreciate how wonderful my life was before the war.

Recently I was with my friends at a party, and tonight I’m sleeping in a bomb shelter. Although I’m with some friends and family, I am cramped and uncomfortable.

The shelter is overcrowded and everyone is hot and sweaty. I don’t know how much longer I can take this stress. The past few nights seemed to last forever.

Even with the horrible news and everyone’s worries, we still find some time to enjoy life. Various bands have come to play their music, Hadag Nacash, Hemi Rudner, Idan Yaniv, and many others. They are playing to keep our spirits high rather than traveling around the world. These songs help us remember happier times and allow us to hope these times will come again.

I wish I could write a song that would be sung throughout Israel. I would write it about my time in a bomb shelter. I would let people know that it is important to rely on each other and cherish the simple things. I would sing about my hope for the future. I would let people know that I believe it is important to never give up and keep trying to create peace with our neighbors.
Now I have to hope more than ever. My parents just got a call from the army. No one will tell me what was said on the phone. I just hope that my brothers are okay. My friends have come over to keep me company while my parents discuss the call. We discuss various things that the call could have been about. Is David dead? Is Yonatan wounded? Are they coming home soon?

I can’t wait for the day that my brothers will return home. I won’t need to worry so much about them dying in this war. I know Hadas is waiting for her brother like I am for mine.

With all these problems it’s really nice to pray together. It is also something that has not changed too much. We pray for different causes, but the Hebrew prayers and the act of being together to pray is the same. It brings us closer together. It helps us realize that we are all going through the same thing and that we have to help each other.

Another thing I enjoy is when the community receives letters from people in other countries. The letters are posted on the community bulletin board. They are exciting and interesting to read. I realize that many people support us. They read the newspapers and are aware of what is going on. We get so many letters. I can’t imagine how many letters the soldiers in the army are getting. It is very encouraging to read these letters. It’s always nice to know that someone is watching your back, whether they live near or far.

Some days are full of grief, but others have happiness. It’s all about the outlook on life and how much hope you have. Everyone is different and every day is different. The Jewish state obviously didn’t come to us on a silver platter; we have fought and still need to fight. This is the price we choose to pay to have a state for the Jewish people.

My mom has finally let me know that both Yonatan and David are safe. The army called to let my parents know that Yonatan will be able to leave the army soon in order to go to college. I am happy but it difficult for me to know that Hadas is still praying for her brother to come home. I pray for Hadas’ brother’s safe return home. I can’t wait until my brothers return home.

Life will always be different. I’ll always have problems to worry about. Now, however, there is more meaning to my life. I know that many people have died for Israel and that I may have to fight one day for my country. I’m willing to do so because I believe that someday we will create peace with our neighbors. Until then we have to keep our country safe. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.

Elana Orbuch is in the Eighth grade at the Twin Cities Jewish Middle School. Her
interests are writing, reading, swimming, acting, and Ramah Camp in the summer. Elana’s poem, “My Best Friend,” won first place in the poetry category of Keren Or last year.