While southern Israeli residents remain close to safe rooms and brace for rocket attacks, city streets in rocket range of Gaza have become ghost towns as residents are ordered to remain indoors. Schools are canceled and for most, it is an extremely difficult situation since they must keep children indoors and entertain them all day and night.

Baruch Hashem in Netivot the organizers of Avos U’Banim have a different plan, making the decision to continue with learning during the evening hours every day and not to cancel limud Torah during the warfare.

HaRav Meir Chalaf, an avreich who escorted his child to learning in an area shul told Kikar Shabbat “there is an element of fear to leave one’s home realizing a rocket could slam down at any moment but the Torah watches over us.” He explained that davka at a time when schools are closed; this is the only Torah learning for the children so he made certain to take his son.

Chalaf explains that he was briefed and realizes that in the event of a siren, he and his son will run to the nearest shelter.

Organizers of the Avos U’Banim add that they are also reciting special tefilos for the success and safety of soldiers and security forces involved in the fighting.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)