Yesterday we had an encounter with an Israeli businessman who delivered a rental mobility scooter to us at our apartment complex in Zikhron Ya’akov. Having only spoken to him on the phone, we were expecting a kind, friendly, older gentleman. The man we met in the parking lot was certainly kind and friendly, but he was a young man, probably late 20s or early 30s.

After he demonstrated setting up and using the scooter, Seth asked him if he was from the area—a question particularly appropriate since the young man had experienced some difficulty finding our place. He replied that he lived in a small city not too far away.

The young man’s English was good, Seth speaks Hebrew well enough to carry on a conversation, and Israelis love to talk, usually fast and loud, interrupting each other frequently without taking offense.

But this conversation was an exception. It was halting and deeply personal, sorrow and joy woven together.

“Since October 7,” he said slowly, “I cannot live in a big city …. I need to see green….”

We listened in silence, sensing there was so much more behind his words.

“I was at the Nova Festival.”

Time seemed to stop. Seth said in his compassionate way, “You lost friends ….”

“My girlfriend … and ….”

Seth and I both said those inadequate words: “I am so sorry.”

The young man paused for a few moments. “For a while … I thought … I had to be strong … you know … be a tough man about it….”

“But then … you have to cry … and life goes on….”

Again, we spoke those inadequate words …. what words after all are there to describe a descent into hell? What words can reach across the black hole between someone who has fallen into the void and someone who has only heard the story?

But he continued. “Don’t feel sorry … for me … feel glad … that we are here now … that I can help you … get around better. Be happy … that we are here … together … today.”

“I have something for you,” he said. Reaching into his car, he took out a jar of honey and handed it to me.

“After work we go to the bees and get the honey.”

I could only touch my heart and smile at him … sometimes there is no need for words….


(c)marthahurwitz2025