We’re All Acheinu

We’re all aware of the unprecedented achdus that Klal Yisrael has shown in these recent weeks, whether it’s Hatzolah members and doctors flying to Israel, the arranging of huge amounts of supplies sent abroad, and the many donations from all over the Jewish world and beyond. The people in the music industry have stepped up to the plate as well, using their talents to console the inconsolable and provide chizuk to those very many who need it.

After flying to Israel last week, Avraham Fried’s first stop was, as he says, “an opportunity to visit and spend time with truly heroic people,” visiting wounded soldiers, some of them grievously injured, yet with “a faith of steel.” His next stop was the Shura military base, where bodies are still being brought for identification and given proper halachic care for burial by a brave team of volunteers and chaplains who have witnessed the most horrific atrocities. Avremel then did a rooftop show where, as he was singing, the Iron Dome took down a rocket aimed in that direction. After that, he paid a visit the selfless people of ZAKA, who, with unlimited dedication, have been working around the clock in unimaginably traumatic situations to make sure that kavod hameis is maintained at all times. “I hugged many broken hearts,” he says, “but hearts with unbreakable spirits.”

Yaakov Shwekey was in Yerushalayim when the attacks began, and right after Yom Tov, went off to visit army bases to sing with the soldiers. He says the most requested song was his “Vehi She’amdah” — and the tears on the soldiers’ faces told the rest of the story. Yet the most difficult thing for him was singing “Racheim” for the chevra kaddisha.

Ohad Moskowitz, in addition to making himself available at various army bases, sang on the roof of Aish HaTorah, together with the families of kidnapped hostages — loved ones trying so hard to grasp onto their deeply imbedded but not always revealed emunah peshutah and believe that HaKadosh Baruch Hu would bring their children home safely.