Getting Ready for the Next Round of Missile Escalation from Gaza: A personal documentary by Noam Bedein (4 min) Photo: Rick Burres In capturing a playground and a bomb shelter in the same photograph, I capture a scene that is both unique and unacceptable in the entire world. The situation of Sderot and the western Negev begs a question-- what other western democracy in the world would tolerate even 1 rocket fired at its civilians? What other country in...

As the six-month long ceasefire between Hamas and Israel nears to an end, residents of Sderot and the western Negev still remain under the intense threat of Palestinian rocket fire. Only this past Tuesday night, October 21--two months before the ceasefire officially concludes on December 19-- a Qassam rocket fired from northern Gaza crashed into the Ashkelon beach, injuring no one. In the context of an uncertain new year with the potential resuming of massive rocket attacks, it is quite...

Yehudit Yifrach, fifth grader Sderot, Israel For eight years we have been shocked so many times. For these eight years we have not wanted to go play outside, Because we fear the rockets are waiting for us out there. Refrain: So let us all be strong! Not fearful Let us drive away the fear From the heart! Don‘t worry for G-d is with us. He loves us and guards us. And we love Him too. Very very much. Refrain: So let us all be...

We look the children in the eye, but we do not understand. How much we hurt them. For we all know that kassams are not birds. That’s what Hannah, the kindergarten teacher, tells us-- that one day there will be kites instead of rockets. Kites of many colors - I want mine to be red, so that everybody will notice how big and beautiful it is. I want it to be unique and powerful - Like the color of blood. I pray before God everyday, and I ask That my mother will no longer be...