I am from Williamsport and attend the Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania as a junior. Recently, with the escalation and excitement occurring in the Middle East, I felt compelled to share my thoughts and opinions about the well-being of Israel, but more importantly what should be prevented in the Middle East.
Last year I traveled to Israel for three months with my high school class, and upon my return, I became intrigued with Israeli current events. I also feel very strongly about the situation in Gaza, given that I traveled to a town called Netivot, about 15 kilometers from the strip, as well as the border with Gaza itself. After seeing the extraordinary measures that Israel takes to prevent deaths from rocket attacks, I developed a new appreciation for those who live within the radius of the rockets. Our group was asked to paint a bomb shelter on an elementary school campus, and this was a small act of kindness that I was lucky enough to participate in.
Now that I am back in America, it is my duty to share the truth about Israeli current events.
Joshua Rieders
Bryn Mawr
Former Williamsport resident
Submitted by E-Mail
