[Cz-L] glad to hear you are ok

Dear Miriam --

I'm responding now from the Czernowitz-List website, as the reunion one you
addressed your note to has shut down. It was so good to hear from you and
to know that you and your family are managing well through this turn of
events in Israel. I also heard from Irene, who echoes your sentiments -- no
panic, people calm and, so far, safe. I am concerned, as you are, that the
current crisis is likely to have a long life. Various commentators point to
Hezbullah's connections with Syria and Iran who have their own agenda to
destabilize the region -- and this seems all too likely to be an extended
campaign.

For those of you who have lived for many years in Israel and survived a
roller-coaster of crises and cease-fires many times over, perhaps a
protective armor has developed that is strong enough to take this current
crisis in stride. I admire your courage and calm. Yet I suspect there must
be a toll from having to remain vigilant over a lifetime. So I think about
the long-term personal costs, even to young Sabras whose defining name
speaks of a tough exterior but a tender, vulnerable interior.

In any event, I thank you for your reassurance, and for your own
thoughtfulness in letting the whole group outside of Israel know how you
are doing. A genuine caring has bound the Cz-Reunion and Cz-List
membership, and your reply even in a stressful time reflects this.

My very best wishes to you and your family.

Jessie Attiyeh, San Diego [Oh, Miriam, I almost forgot. About Yochanan
Attiyeh, who you knew so many years ago: I wish I knew who he was. If you
remember any specifics about his family (like his parents' names, for
instance) I would love to know more. There are Jewish Attiyehs (and Attias)
and there are Lebanese and Palestinian Attiyehs (and several other
spellings). I presume from his name Yochanan that he is or was Jewish, but
his religious background does not matter one way or the other in the
context of personal friendships. My husband's family is Lebanese Protestant
by origin, while mine obviously is Jewish. However we are all convinced
that there was a common root, a shared ancestry, even if it was generations
ago. That makes the mutual Arab-Israeli killings all the more sad and the
felt need for them all the more tragic.]

Again, my best -- Jessie
Received on 2006-07-18 06:24:55