Not Everything is Frozen

On a trip to Ashkelon this week, I couldn't help but notice all the building underway. While building is frozen all throughout Judea, Samaria and Israel's capital Jerusalem in places like Ashkelon the cranes are busy at work, the tractors are varooming all day.

Ashkelon is spreading out. An industrial center, a sports complex, an apartment building, complexes on the beach, and a new marina mall.

Ashkelon in general is a lively place. There were ads everywhere for a new show, "Samson and Delilah." It looked pretty good.

We passed Kfar Nofesh L'Chayalim, a retreat center for soldiers on leave. Five and a half years ago, Kfar Nofesh was used to provide temporary shelter for Jews expelled from their homes in Gush Katif. The women of my community had traveled there to visit the Gush Katif women in Kfar Nofesh. Life was very difficult for the families there.

Seeing Kfar Nofesh started me thinking of Gush Katif throughout the day.

We walked along the beach. My husband commented that the sand was so fine and white. Its vanilla beads popped right and left as we walked. I said, "The sand is almost as nice as the perfect sand of Gush Katif."

We picked sea shells. I compared them to the sea shells I remembered from Gush Katif. Wow, they looked just about the same.

We marveled at the clear green sea. Somewhere that sea touched the sea of Gush Katif. Was it still green and gorgeous? I hoped it was, even though we couldn't enjoy it now.

Ashkelon building is going along full-speed-ahead. I hoped that the same would soon be true for the rest of Israel, and I look forward to the rebuilding of Gush Katif one day soon, as well.