92 | MAY 20 • 2021
ERETZ
M
ost people know about the tragic accident that caused
the deaths of 45 Orthodox individuals during the recent
mass celebration of Lag b’Omer on Mount Meron in
Israel. But do they know of the swift and effective response offered
by so many? Unfortunately, Israelis have experienced many trage-
dies and people really know what to do.
By the next morning, countless individuals, companies and
organizations had jumped to help. Food, lodging, phones and
blood donations were offered by people across the religious, politi-
cal and economic spectrums. These are screenshots of some of the
offers. I couldn’t be prouder to be an Israeli. Am Yisrael Chai!
Israelis of
er an outpouring of aid to
victims and families.
Swift Reaction
to Meron
Tragedy
Translation: The reality is
that Israeli Arabs who live
near Meron have been work-
ing tirelessly for hours to
assist as much as they can;
non-religious people from
Tel Aviv are standing in
line to donate blood; and
a kosher take-out restau-
rant (owned by religious
Zionists) in Givat Shmuel is
giving out food to families
whose loved ones are still
on the mountain and hav-
en’t had time to prepare for
Shabbos. The heart of this
country is in the right place.
near Meron have been work-
Zionists) in Givat Shmuel is
en’t had time to prepare for
Translation: Maybe you can
help me do a mitzvah … Do
you know of any families
of injured people who were
admitted to Ziv Hospital who
need a place to sleep this
Shabbos? We are in walking
distance from the hospital.
We have available rooms in
our home, meals and any-
thing else that is needed.
admitted to Ziv Hospital who
Translation: El Al airline wishes condolences to the fami-
lies who lost loved ones in the Mount Meron tragedy. The
airline is offering to bring
first-degree relatives
(parents, siblings, chil-
dren, spouses) directly
to Israel from the U.S.,
the U.K., France and
any other countries
from which El Al
flies. El Al is offering
up to two tickets per
family, free of charge,
except airport taxes.
(parents, siblings, chil-
This was posted by a man
who took the time to ask for
help even after he lost his
own brother in the tragedy.
He was asking people to go
to the funeral of a British
tourist who did not have
any family in Israel and the
concern was he wouldn’t
have a minyan. Almost
1,000 people attended.
This was posted by a man
who took the time to ask for
help even after he lost his
Translation: Please
forward. Ladies
of Jerusalem: The
widow Bergman
(the wife of British
tourist who died)
is sitting shivah
alone for her
husband, Moshe,
who died in the
Meron tragedy and there are
almost no visitors. (She is an English speaker). May whoever
can come be blessed. (Note: The widow asked people to stop
forwarding this message because hundreds of people showed
up and had to wait for hours to pay their respects).
Please
(the wife of British
Meron tragedy and there are
AVIVA ZACKS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Aviva Zacks is a former teacher at Akiva Hebrew Day School, Bais Yaakov and
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah. She made aliyah with her family in 2006.