Nahariya has been the “sister city” of northern New Jersey for over 20 years. Primarily under the wing of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey (JFNNJ), and thanks to the generosity of the community, funds and other support have flowed, fostering a genuine “sibling” relationship.
Last week the JFNNJ hosted a delegation of residents from Nahariya to meet with community leaders, the media and others here in the area.
“We are honored to host this delegation from Nahariya,” said Jason M. Shames, CEO of JFNNJ. “Nahariya has been our sister city for decades, and their stories are a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of communities facing adversity.”
Their primary mission last week was to give testimony to the strategic changes currently driving the heightened dangers in Nahariya resulting from the intensified attacks on Israel’s northern border. Due to Nahariya’s proximity to the Lebanese border, when the warning sirens sound, residents have only 15 seconds to seek shelter.
No sooner did the delegation complete its campaign for building an additional 17 shelters than we heard of the terrible drone attack on a high rise in Nahariya on Monday, September 9. We were grateful to learn that no injuries were reported.
Benny Meir, lieutenant colonel in the IDF Reserve and CEO of a cybersecurity company, explained the predicament that Nahariya now faces. “Due to the increased risk of attack from the north, the cities north of Nahariya have been evacuated,” he said, This positions Nahariya as the northern-most populated city and intensifies its vulnerability to direct attack. He referred to Nahariya as the “new northern border,” noting its additional exposure as a port city. Meir’s brother is credited with Israel’s defense-altering invention of The Iron Dome.
The delegation representatives reported that the cost of building a single shelter is approximately $100,000. Not only do they lack sufficient shelter; but with only 15 seconds to get there, often people don’t make it in time. The delegates described people lying on the ground, hands covering their heads, often with shrapnel wounds from an exploded missile hit by an Iron Dome interception. Nahariya, our “achot,” needs our help to raise the funds to begin immediate construction of these essential additional shelters.
Edna Ben Simhon Moalem, an educational child psychologist specializing in trauma and resilience, spoke about the psychological effects of living under the constant threat of danger and attack, particularly for children and families. She noted that while the initial response to the war was of unprecedented unity and spirit, time and circumstances have amassed a “waning of emotional resilience,” even with numerous support systems in place.
Amir Oppenheimer, is a multigenerational restaurateur raised in Nahariya. His family emigrated from Germany in 1936. Oppenheimer shared his perspective about the economic impact on local businesses, as well as the community’s resolve to maintain its economic stability. One of his most poignant remarks was how grateful the residents of Nahariya are for the support from around the world—all kinds of support, including even a few words of encouragement in a short text or email. He noted that while they often don’t know the exact source of the financial, material or other support, they “feel it,” and it means a great deal to them.
Joining the delegation was Ravit Shemla Steinmetz, director, Jewish Federation Israel office, to help assist, among other tasks, in minimizing any gap with the exchange of language. The meetings were coordinated by Laura Freeman, managing director, marketing and communications, JFNNJ.
To add your support to building the 17 additional shelters needed right now in Nahariya, at an estimated cost of at least $1,700,000, please donate generously via the following secure link:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/israelemergency/
