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January 5, 2009
BZD Considering Rally, Mission
Phil Jacobs
Executive Editor
Baltimore Zionist District (BZD) has felt the extreme sense of urgency from both Baltimore and Ashkelon these past days.
On Monday morning, it held a video conference for local media and elected officials to get a feel from Ashkelon residents what it is like live in a state of fear and helplessness, and to put a human face on the suffering from the Israeli side.
BZD executive director Fran Sonnenschein is being asked constantly from Baltimoreans what it is that they can do exactly to help. There’s this overwhelming feeling of wanting to help somehow.
Mrs. Sonnenschein said that BZD is looking at putting together a community rally and a solidarity mission to Ashkelon. Decisions will be made in the next day or two she said.
The video conference made it clear that Ashkelon residents cannot get through a typical shower without concerns of the Tzeva Adom (red color) alarm going off. Much time is spent in shelters. Schools are closed and business and commerce have come to a practical halt.
The group interviewed in Ashkelon were positioned in the City Hall bomb shelter.
Mrs. Sonnenschein said that at some points of the interview, those in the shelters were able to joke around a little bit. But one child, in particular, Ziz Sampson, an elementary school child, said she was “very much afraid.”
“You’re moved when you sit and see two kids whose lives have changed,” she said. “I think you feel every one’s heavy heart.”