Traveling abroad can be a life-changing experience for some and can prove to be a challenge for others. Such was the case for Congressman Edward C. “Ted” Goldman and his family, who traveled to Israel to partake in the celebration of his son’s Bar Mitzvah.
While the family wanted their son’s special day to be a grand affair, the situation in Israel quickly became uncertain when their visit coincided with a series of Hamas rocket attacks.
The family had to be moved from hotel to hotel as cities and towns nearby were under direct fire; eventually, Rep. Goldman and his family found shelter in an area deep within Jerusalem, away from the chaos.
“The experience in Jerusalem has been one of the most intense I have ever known,” Rep. Goldman recounted. “My 10-year-old had an extraordinary Bar Mitzvah, but his initial enthusiasm for seeing the city was quickly replaced by fearful thoughts of the escalating danger and his limited options for safety.”
Although the experience proved to be an emotional roller-coaster for the family, the Congressman and his family are thankful that they were all able to reach safety and that no injuries occurred due to the rocket fire.
Rep. Goldman expressed his gratitude to those who provided him and his family with shelter, hospitality, and security during this troubling time. He is also pleased to report that the Bar Mitzvah proceeded according to plan, despite the havoc the rocket attacks had caused in the area.
For Rep. Goldman, the experience has been and will remain a memory that serves as a reminder of the fragility of peace and the need to pursue it at all costs.