I guess that I just don’t want to be a victim. I want to live normally. Israel is no longer on the most dangerous places to visit. What do you gain from talking about these acts of violence or terrorism?

Does it help you sleeping at night knowing that more people feel bad and cry out for harsher and more vehement sanctions against the Palestinians? God forbid, do I condone what is happening in Sderot, which NO ONE is forgetting, but we also have to remember that Israel *is* responding with force to that threat. We can question if its enough or not enough force, but there is some semblance of a response.

You give the terrorists the win by raising the “fear” bar and reminding everyone how scary a country this is that we live in.

In the shul where my family prays in the NY, they still say tehillim after every prayer, just like they did during the Intifada. Like nothing has changed.

Everything has changed, hundred of thousands, if not millions of Israelis are living in relative calm and peace. People are partying, going to school (when not on strike), working, living, eating out, and in tremendous debt to the banking system (just like America!).

Continue helping Sderot, and the victims of terror in Dimona, and wherever else that violence may strike. Also, help all agunot, and all victims of domestic violence. Also, help out farmers who are being hurt by shmitta this year. Do not vote for/support politicians who will lie, cheat, philander, and steal.

But do not paint my country as a place that is categorized as a bereft of hope and full of issues. My country is alive. It has some problems, and we must deal with them.

There are many amazing organizations that help out families of people hurt by terror — try the OneFamilyFund. I am not being apathetic, I just am sick and tired of fear-mongers attempting to create a nation of victims.

Kol HaKavod LaTzahal.