Never Let Your Enemies Steal Your Joy

By Mindy Sager Dickler

Apr. 7, 2024

Modi’in, Israel

It boggles my mind that the war in Israel has been going on for six long months now. Over 180 days of people being held captive, several of whom are known not to be alive any longer.

Everything hinges on the release of the hostages. I am beyond saddened to think of the families of these people, how they continue to live with hope. How they still have the strength to go on living, knowing that their family members are in a hellish situation.

I am beyond saddened to know of the unbelievably large rise in antisemitism around the world. Even in my own former community of Pikesville.

Nearly every day for the last six months, I read of the deaths of Israeli soldiers — young adults who literally put their lives on the line to defend me and our country.

But don’t get me wrong. There has never been a time in my life that I have been prouder to be Jewish and more grateful to be living in the land of Israel. The kindness that the citizens are showing to one another is unbelievable, and beautiful and holy.

The many ways in which support is being given to the families of soldiers who are now in reserve duty; to displaced families, who have had to leave their homes due to safety measures; to the soldiers themselves, providing them with the equipment they need, as well as comfort food to show appreciation for their heroic efforts.

My friends and family in the United States ask me how I’m doing. Thank God, all being said, I’m doing well. I’m living my life. I spend time with my family and friends. I exercise, play Mah Jong, go shopping, go out to eat, etc. I’m living my life because that’s how I fight this war.

I don’t allow the enemies to steal my joy, to make me live in fear.

But please don’t think this is easy.

Imagine if you were living in the state of New Jersey, and all the neighboring states hated you and were attacking you. And YOUR children are the ones in the army, defending your borders, keeping you safe. And every day you hear of more and more casualties.

And imagine that on Oct. 7, at a beautiful music festival going on at MetLife Stadium, more than 1,000 young people were slaughtered AND over 250 New Jersey citizens were taken hostage by vicious people from a neighboring state.

AND, to top it all off, the rest of the United States considers New Jersey to be the perpetrator, rather than the victim.

Yes, these are the kinds of realities Israelis like me live with daily.

We pray for the speedy return of the hostages, for a peaceful resolution to this war, and a brighter future for us all.

So, ask me how I’m doing, and I’ll say I’m doing well.

AND — the above mentioned are the realities I live with every day.

Postscript: Apr. 15

So much can happen in one week. Even in one day, when your country is at war. Americans today have not experienced living in the U. S. while war is occurring on its own soil.

Just a couple of days ago, Israel was informed that Iran was going to send drones and missiles toward us. How did it affect me? When I turned my phone back on after the conclusion of Shabbat, on the night of Apr. 13, I became aware of the situation and that many aspects of the country were to “close down” as of 11 p.m. for the next 48 hours.

As a retired older woman, living alone (but near my children), it meant that I needed to finish preparing my safe room, stocking it with adequate supplies for a few days, just in case. And, to be on the safe side, to sleep in my safe room. Which is what I did.

Reports came out that the barrage was to occur at 2 a.m. I stayed awake, until 2:30.

Thank God, my city of Modi’in remained relatively quiet. There were no sirens. I went to sleep and woke up in the morning to the amazing news that 99% of the drones and missiles were successfully intercepted.

Mindy Dickler — Mindy Sager Dickler (Provided Photo)

A former longtime Baltimore resident, Mindy Sager Dickler is a retired teacher who made aliyah in 2021.