Between the mourning and the cries of grief and the silent prayer in the synagogue: in Neve Ya'akov they are having a hard time digesting the disaster - voila! news

An attack in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood in Jerusalem.

January 27, 2023 (Roni Knafo)

The first worshipers arrived at the "Ataret Avraham" synagogue in the Neve Ya'akov neighborhood of Jerusalem, which was locked after the first volley fired in its direction in the severe attack on Shabbat night, this morning (Sunday), shortly before sunrise.

Within the walls of the synagogue there is a heavy feeling of grief.

The worshipers know that this morning will also be accompanied by the funerals of their friends.

Screams of grief are heard from the mouths of those present, some find solace in silent prayer.

At the same time, the streets are filled with young families, making their regular way to the kindergarten located under the synagogue building.

Some talk to their children about what happened, others let the new week make them forget the events of Shabbat.

One of the fathers double-checked that the garden gate was locked properly before saying goodbye to his daughter, and then he left himself to share with those around him on the street a dose of shock.

"He didn't pass over anyone."

"Atarat Avraham" Synagogue, this morning (photo: Yanon Yathach)

On Saturday night, death knocked on every door in the neighborhood.

He ran into boys in white shirts, who were going to study at the synagogue, passed by the collector who was returning from Kiddush at his son's place, and met everyone who was called on his way.

Some lost their lives, others had to watch in horror what was happening from the balconies of their houses.

An entire community that now knows death intimately.

Death returned for another round in the face of those who tried to escape to the aid of the victims and were shot themselves.

"He didn't pass over anyone," lamented David, a resident of the neighborhood, pointing to the window of his house.

Through it you can see exactly where the killing spree began.

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"Now crying."

Memorial candles in front of the synagogue (Photo: Yanon Yatach)

David did not leave the house the other day, he heard the voices, pulled back the curtain for a moment, and when he saw the horror - gathered the children.

Together they hid in a toilet cubicle until the rage passed.

"It felt like an eternity, we were there for at least 20 minutes with bundles and shouts," he said.

The next morning, when he went to morning prayer in the synagogue - a fog of confusion prevailed.

The bullet holes in the walls, the cries of last night and the rumors that ran everywhere still left parts of the story unknown, he says.

Yesterday, in the atmosphere of Black Sabbath, many waited anxiously to receive the good news.

"I have never been able to decide if I want Mochash to come," shares Haim, 23 years old from the nearby street. As soon as the three stars left, everyone rushed outside and gathered on the light rail tracks in front of the synagogue.

Trying to cope with the trauma.

The attack in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood on Saturday night (photo: official website, according to Section 27 A of the Copyright Law)

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Groups walk the route of the massacre and find it hard to believe, stopping between one treatment scene and comparing pieces of information about the relatives.

An endless list of names of people who could have been at the event, a few minutes that are replayed hundreds of times from a painful personal memory.

Wrapped in Israeli flags, they moved between Hasidic songs and sorrow, between cries of distress and rage.

Some blame the police, others prefer the religious version of events.

But one sentence, said by a father to an enthusiastic boy who was dragged behind chants of "Death to the terrorists", provided the full picture: "After they bury the bodies, we will look for culprits. Now they are crying."

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