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What started as a phone call from Ashkelon merchants asking for assistance two weeks ago, ended in a full-blown fair of merchants, craftsmen, artists and salespeople, in the spacious gardens and courtyards of Bet Yehudit International Cultural and Community Center. Reflecting the true community spirit of Julia (Yehudit) Koschitzky, in whose honor the newly renovated Center was inaugurated just a few months ago, Bet Yehudit hosted 80 merchants from all over the South of Israel on Friday, January 16. Thousands of Jerusalem residents showed up to buy goods and express solidarity with the merchants, whose livelihoods came to an abrupt halt with the onslaught of missile and rocket attacks from Gaza several weeks ago.
The bright Jerusalem sunshine added to the positive, vibrant atmosphere of the fair and a musical performance by one on Israel's most popular bands infused a sense of optimism in all those present. The entire Southern region of Israel was represented at the fair, with stalls from Beer Sheva, Sderot, Netivot and Ashkelon, as well as many moshavim and kibbutzim from Israel's South.
Mazal Levy, an Ashkelon children's clothing merchant and mother of three, talked of the trauma and financial difficulties facing residents in the South. "It is very nerve-racking living in Ashkelon right now, with sirens blasting and rockets falling on us. The situation is also killing business. Sometimes people venture out of their homes in the morning, but as soon as the first siren is heard everyone races back home, including storekeepers, as most do not have access to shelters in their shops or near by. My husband has an outside fruits and vegetables stall but he can no longer sell his produce as it is too dangerous to be outside. We have had virtually no income for the last few weeks and we are now living on loans from friends and relatives." Mazal expressed her appreciation for the chance to sell her goods in Jerusalem and make some income "out of harm's way". Like many other merchants on Friday morning, she was deeply moved by the special atmosphere of the fair and felt emotionally strengthened by the solidarity and support of the Jerusalem public. "I feel very grateful for today – Bet Yehudit is a truly special place" she said.
Yariv Reinzilber, 32, car appliance merchant from Be'er Sheva
Mazal Levy, Ashkelon merchant
Yariv Reinzilber, 32, car appliance merchant from Be'er Sheva. "Business has collapsed since Be'er Sheva started being attacked by Hamas rockets, but I feel strongly connected to Be'er Sheva, I would never leave" Yariv is married with a baby.
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