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.