Emotions ran high at John F. Kennedy Airport Wednesday night as Jewish families broke down at the gate watching proudly as they wave off young IDF reservists on their way to war with Hamas terrorists.
Passengers flooded terminal four to show unwavering support to all those heading back to the warzone whether to fight, deliver equipment or simply return home to their families – each with a unique story to tell.
Politicians and supporters joined the crowd in an emotional display of dancing, singing, and embracing before boarding their EL AL flight, that many spent days trying to secure a spot on being the only airline still flying in and out of the country.
Volunteers waved flags, brought food and cheered on soldiers heading off to war, united in their determination and support for Israel during these trying times. Parents hugged their sons and daughters goodbye, not knowing the next time they would reunite.
Noah Nierenberg, a 22-year-old orthodox young man from New York, stood smiling sweetly while preparing to return to serve in the IDF, backed by the support of his entire family – including his parents, grandfather and sister.
Emotions ran high at John F. Kennedy Airport Wednesday night as Jewish families broke down at the gate watching proudly as they wave off young IDF reservists on their way to war with Hamas terrorists
Noah Nierenberg, a 22-year-old orthodox young man from New York, stood smiling sweetly while preparing to return to serve in the IDF, backed by the support of his entire family – including his parents, grandfather and sister
Amidst the crowd, Aviya Malka was in tears. She was determined to return home and help her family, especially her parents and grandparents. She emphasized the importance of the support shown by the people at the airport
He serves as a field artillery ‘foot soldier’ connected to a special tank unit. Additional information cannot be disclosed about his position.
He returned to Israel before being asked to as a reservist and expressed his readiness and obligation to be with his fellow soldiers.
‘I feel like it’s my obligation. I couldn’t have them without me. I’m going to be there with my brothers and sisters. Not just the army but all Jews everywhere,’ he said.
He brings with him bags filled to the brim with equipment requested by soldiers, as well as religious books to study.
As he walks to his gate, the crowd cheered for him as one supporter shouted: ‘Come back home soon!’ To which he replied, ‘I am going home.’
His family, who was there to send him off, beamed with pride, revealing that Noah being humble, wouldn’t divulge this information, but that he had actually been offered an honors scholarship to Yeshiva University and deferred it to volunteer and serve in the IDF.
Yoni Nierenberg, Noah’s father, expressed the dichotomy of feelings as a parent, proud but concerned about his son’s safety. While explaining this, the family organized bags filled with supplies for soldiers.
He explained the feeling of being pulled in two different directions. ‘We love our child, we don’t want to see them come in harms way but we are super proud of him,’ he said.
Yaron, a 52-year-old Israeli, stood in line with his family. His eyes welled up with tears as he explained the harrowing situation. He was vacationing in the United States with his young son and mother when the terror attacks began in Israel.
His pregnant wife and 3-and-a-half-year-old daughter were back home in Tel Aviv, navigating the danger alone – spending their days running back and forth from bomb shelters as sirens went off, signaling rockets raining down nearby.
‘It’s unbelievable, it’s a nightmare that came through … We are mourning,’ he said, reflecting on the deep shock that has gripped the Israeli people.
With flights canceled and limited options, Yaron’s determination to return home was fueled by worry over his family’s safety. He said he did everything he could to find a flight, but the airlines did not make it easy after cancelling his.
‘I’m going back because I’m worried about my wife, staying in the shelters with kids,’ he said. ‘The kids don’t analyze what’s happening in the moment but they do remember it, and they will be traumatized forever.’
‘I’m 52 years old I’ve never felt the way I feel right now. None of us ever have. The people in Israel are suffering,’ he added.
Atara Kresch, a 21-year-old senior at the University of Michigan, had a different mission. Originally from Detroit, her family had moved to Israel, and she felt a deep calling to assist in the crisis.
She had initiated her own fundraising efforts, raising thousands of dollars and collecting supplies for Israeli soldiers. She was single-handedly bringing four massive bags of equipment to distribute in Israel.
‘I’m organizing equipment donations and raising money, bringing it personally,’ she said. ‘I’m trying to show those who donated exactly where their donations are going and ensure they made it to the correct recipient.’
Kresch said some of the equipment specifically requested by the soldiers were G shock watches, taranakites and rain gear with no glare.
‘A lot of things get stuck at airport security,’ she said explaining the importance of bringing the requested items only, down to the color. Some donated vests, for example, were confiscated at the airport because they were the wrong color as they appeared too similar to the ones Hamas members wear.
Atara explained, ‘I want to be there for my family; they really need us. It’s amazing to see everyone wanting to help.’
‘It feels good to give but to be organized about it,’ she added.
Not far from Atara, Politician Bruce Blakeman, a Republican Nassau County Executive, stood offering support to his community.
He handed out flags and emphasized his admiration for the courage of residents from Nassau County who serve in the IDF, acknowledging the bittersweet feeling of sending friends and community members to the front lines.
‘We have residents from Nassau county that serve in the IDF,’ he said. ‘We admire their courage. We are here for support. We are worried but we feel like they have a mission and we support that mission 100 percent.’
‘Families are sending their sons who are friends of mine, people from community. It’s bittersweet,’ he added.
Among the passengers waiting to go to Israel was 18-year-old Ayelet, who displayed unwavering determination to get home.
Traveling alone, she spoke of the importance of returning home and pointed to a sticker on her suitcase that read, ‘I belong’ in Hebrew, signifying her strong attachment to the only land she’s ever known.
Ayelet had been on a religious two-week trip but changed her flight to return early, explaining that her rabbi had emphasized that despite the danger and terror Israel faces, it is still the safest country in the world, because it is the only Jewish homeland that exists.
‘We need to go back,’ she said. ‘We have no other home. My family is there. I want to go.’
She stood next to two other young women on line, talking and laughing together. When asked if they travelled together, she said, ‘Who them? No we just met two minutes ago.’ The three then laughed and said, ‘That’s Israelis.’
Eliya, another combat infantry soldier, had his vacation cut short as he was called back to Israel when the war broke out. He struggled to secure a flight and finally found one to make it home, accompanied by the support and cheers of those at the airport.
He was attempting to secure a ticket back for two to three days. He travelled to New York from Boston in hopes of finding a flight.
Rachel Sterm, and her friends came to the airport to show support for the soldiers (chayalim) returning to Israel. They waved Israeli flags, cheered, and celebrated their dedication.
Rachel shared, ‘We are friends from Great Neck, but there are people here from the Five Towns, New Jersey, and high schoolers. Now everyone’s back but trying to figure out how to help.’
‘The Rabbi communicated that soldiers were going back. So we are here. Everyone’s doing what they can.’
‘Yesterday was about collecting. Today people trying to come up with different ways,’ she added. ‘There’s so much you can do from a far.’
Amidst the crowd, Aviya Malka was in tears. She was determined to return home and help her family, especially her parents and grandparents. She emphasized the importance of the support shown by the people at the airport.
‘I want to go home yesterday.’ She said. ‘Even if you kill some of us you won’t kill our spirits.’
Aviya works for a radio station in Israel where she said she lost one of her colleagues – who worked for law and order segments.
‘This support I can’t tell you how big it is,’ referring to the crowd of American Jews showed up to send them off.
‘All the people you see here’ it means everything,’ she added.
In arrivals, Dr. Nissan Levy and David Usher, childhood friends from the Five Towns in New York, shared their harrowing journey from Israel to New York, describing the panic and fear they experienced at the airport during the rocket attacks.
The two were in Israel on vacation over the Jewish holiday during that attacks, They were on the ramp boarding their flight when a rocket hit so close that their plane started to violently shake.
They emphasized the importance of not letting the terrorists win and continuing to live their lives happily.
Moria Rosenthall, arrived in New York with her husband from her home in Jerusalem, and delivered a passionate message about the ongoing crisis in Israel, describing the horrific acts by Hamas and emphasizing the need for Jews to unify and strengthen in the face of this humanitarian crisis.
She came to New York for her brother’s wedding. She said she won’t let Hamas stop her from celebrating.
‘Hamas is winning if we don’t live our lives and celebrate the good. If we are psychologically defeated it’s their win,’ she said.
Her discussed the unity she’s seen since the attacks. She said everyone’s been doing something in Israel to help.
Her brother spent all night digging 150 graves in Har Herzl (where soldiers are buried) as a volunteer, in preparation for bodies.
‘It’s not about Palestinian or Israel state it’s just a humanitarian crisis,’ she said.
‘The most important thing is that Jews should unify and strengthen. Jews have always survived the worst scenario possible and have always survived,’ she added.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
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