Day 311 of the war: Back at Kaplan

Although the main event at Kaplan on Saturday night was originally canceled for security reasons, everyone I know still planned to be there to protest. As the afternoon went on, more and more activities started appearing in the groups, and eventually, the traditional demonstration at Democracy Square in Kaplan was reinstated.

As we walked up to the stage, we saw a woman standing quietly with a poster featuring a photo of Keshet, the lovely young man (21) who was murdered in the Nova Festival massacre on October 7. This picture was taken at the festival, and there’s something about the youthful and beautiful Keshet that makes it impossible to take your eyes off him. There was something so tragic about the woman standing there quietly with the photo. As I studied her face, I recognized the similarities to Keshet and guessed that she was his mother. Watching her standing there silently, I suddenly remembered the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo in 1977, who demonstrated silently in the plaza to petition for the safe return of their disappeared children. Unable to take my eyes off Keshet’s mother, I approached her and apologized for disturbing her. I told her how sorry I was, and she probably sensed how upset I was and gave me a hug. It was a kind and generous gesture.

I kept thinking about the bereaved mother standing there quietly all alone with the poster of her son, and when I got back home that night, I looked her up. I found out that the mother, Natalia Casarotti, was born in Argentina and immigrated with her family to Israel when she was three years old. It was eerie.

There was nothing new in the speeches we heard at Kaplan; it was just heartbreaking to hear how devoted people are to our country and how cynical and corrupt this current government and coalition are. The moderator Gal Piechowicz, from the south and a mother of a reserve soldier in Gaza began by saying, “Our home misses 115 hostages, we are burned out and threatened, but we are here.”

Yesterday (Sunday) morning, I volunteered at the dining hall at headquarters of the Hostage Families. A beloved member of the families announced that he would cook Shakshuka (eggs with tomatoes and seasonings) for lunch. It wasn’t the first time; every so often, he cooks wonderful dishes for everyone around. During lunch, there was more laughter and goodwill than usual.

About two weeks ago, the families sent the volunteers a letter and a video thanking us for our devotion and hard work. It was really touching to receive such unexpected gratitude from people whose world had collapsed and who are continuously abandoned by the government. Unlike our government, they insist on remaining kind and humane. This is such an important value in Jewish tradition especially on the eve of Tisha B’Av