Eliana Kharasch (CJHS Class of 2016)

 I moved to Israel in 2018. I left my family and friends behind and moved to a place I have always wanted to live, knowing and understanding that I would have to miss big events. Birthdays, deaths, life altering moments. I moved to a place that is known for having occasional stabbings, bombings, and acts of terror. I took this risk, my family understood the risks as well. Last year, for 10 days I ran back and forth from my apartment to the building's bomb shelter. 10 days of sleepless nights, feeling the earth shake, hearing and seeing missiles fly above my head. I still get scared when I hear a motorcycle start or something heavy fall. 

I knew the risk I took when I moved here. But I never expected to get the call on the 4th of July from my father, who with my mother was running Deerfield's big celebration breakfast. Dad said "we are ok, but they shut us down early. Mom is very upset. There is an active shooting happening at the Highland Park parade. Call your friends and make sure they are ok." 
After texting my close friends and family all there was left to do was sit and watch the news. I sat for 6 hours. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I chain smoked cigarettes and waited for more information to come out. 2 in the morning Israel time they still hadn't caught him. I tried to sleep but just layed in bed in tears until the morning. 

Moving here I knew the risks. I have been through a war. I have created fundraisers to help the children in places most affected by fallen missiles. I NEVER thought that I would have to worry about a 22 year old with an assault rifle shooting at the people I love from a rooftop. Here, the government does everything they can to assure safety during wartime and terrorist attacks. I am angry that I can't say the same for the government where my friends and family still live. 

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