"I Stayed in Ashkelon: It's Stressful, But I'm Not Leaving"

"Yes, I am here in Ashkelon, continuing to be active. I haven’t left and don’t plan to leave," Rabbi Uri Cohen, a Chabad emissary in Ashkelon, repeats this statement again and again during this period. Sometimes, he says this to a person wishing to join prayers, other times to elderly individuals calling for help and support, and sometimes to his family members who have left the city. But he clarifies his intent to stay in the bombarded city, as he emphasizes repeatedly – "I haven’t left, and for now, I am not leaving."

As a reminder, last week the government announced that Ashkelon residents could join the southern evacuees eligible for evacuation grants, yet there are still those who remain in the city.

Why stay in a city that is empty and non-functional?

"First, our city is not empty," Rabbi Cohen clarifies. "Although most residents have evacuated and left the city, as recommended by the Home Front Command, there are elderly who find it hard to leave. Some live in apartments without fortified rooms and must seek shelters during alarms. Who will provide them with medicine and nutritious food? If everyone leaves, who will care for them? So yes, I'm staying here and many good people are with me. We're mobile and can buy them food and medicine, which is not a given in Ashkelon, as due to the situation, all the small groceries are closed, and only supermarkets are open. Pharmacies also operate on a limited schedule."

Caring for soldiers with tefillin

"There are also families with small children who stayed because they have nowhere to evacuate. Their children are often scared and go through difficult days, and there is no educational or recreational framework available. So, we try to pamper them – bring gifts, toys, and sweets. The very fact that people know the Chabad House is open and they can come anytime gives them much strength and encouragement. Many also visit us, including those who send their children as soldiers to the border or women sending their husbands to reserves. They request blessings or charity boxes; some wish to check their mezuzot. Just this past Shabbat, a woman called me, begging for Shabbat candles because she never lit them before, but now feels an internal need to do so."

"We try to greatly strengthen those on the homefront," emphasizes Rabbi Cohen, "we strive to give assistance and mainly provide Ashkelon residents the feeling that we are here, stronger than ever. Even if there are bombings or difficult events, we don’t run or flee."

When people consult you about whether to evacuate or stay, what do you tell them?

"I think everyone should do what they believe is right. It's clear that if someone feels anxious due to the situation and can't even shower because they are constantly thinking about what will happen if the alarm goes off, they better evacuate. The same goes for families with children who seek activities and routine. Staying in such a situation for children could develop into not-so-simple traumas, but those who work here or find it hard to leave for any reason should know that the city still functions. We're here and there's a lot of activity around us, including prayers three times a day."

Alarm during laying tefillin

Do you have enough people for a minyan?

"Yes, but barely. It’s remarkable to see the responsibility people take upon themselves, arriving to pray with us daily – Shacharit, Mincha, and even Maariv. They understand if they don’t come, there won’t be a minyan, and they are not willing to let that happen. Last week, a worshipper arrived late and explained after the prayer that a missile hit and blew up his car, forcing him to come on foot. Our lives are not ordinary; there was even a fall 100 meters from my house, shaking the whole place as if there was a direct hit. We remain here not out of complacency, Heaven forbid, but from faith and a lot of trust. Of course, we pray for ourselves and all of Israel, that the war ends on the best possible conditions and that there won't be more casualties. We've paid enough; we now want to see great miracles."