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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Liz Young
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
HATIKVAH
Hoping for safety in the bomb shelter, Adeena closed her eyes and prayed while missiles exploded overhead.
Stories of butchery filled the airwaves. Whole families had been murdered in their homes.
Adeena’s thoughts turned to her Savta who had come to this land as a young woman after surviving Ravensbrück and Bergen Belson. She and Saba had risen above the horror and made a life for themselves and their children on a Kibbutz.
Murmuring the words of the Kaddish, Adeena’s heart ached for her grandmother, slaughtered only yesterday while cradling her newborn great-grandchild.
“Never again,” Adeena whispered, “is happening now.”
Hatikvah means “The Hope” and is the title of Israel’s national anthem.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Topical story! The last line hits hard.
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Thank you, Reena.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We do say “never again” over and over, don’t we?
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True enough, Neil. And sadly so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lost for words.
It will always be the innocent who suffer. Ideological hatred is flawed and it is difficult to turn the other cheek to such ingrained quest for annihilation.
Sorry – is just a word.
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Well said, James. To that I’ll simply say thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nothing ever changes – even though we swear it will. It’s hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel in these dreadful times. And that picture of the grandmother with the new born….
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Dear Sandra,
Sadly the picture of the grandmother is based on one of those stories that have been littering Facebook. Unimaginable barbarism. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
A perfectly told story that is being lived right now. Never again – we can say it all we want but the actions of those who don’t care, erase them over and over.
Shalom and lotsa of safe love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
A simple thank you is all I can muster.
Shalom and lotsa comforting hugs,
Rochelle
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💞
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Beautifully written though I am sad that any such thing has to be written.
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Thank you, Connie.
Shalom in the truest sense,
Rochelle
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Such an awful, barbaric attack. Powerful story.
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Barbaric indeed. Thank you, Trent.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I heard a poll today, that 51% of people think there is no hope for lasting peace in the region. I’m afraid I’m part of the majority on this one. Too much history, too many clashes both military and ideological.
Powerfully written, Rochelle.
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Dear Jen,
I pray you’re wrong, but can’t help thinking you’re right. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Golda Meir said that peace will come to Israel when their haters love their children more than they hate the Jews.
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Dear Linda,
I’ve read this quote many times recently. Sad but true. These people put their own children in harm’s way and then cry that the evil Israelis murdered their babies. How twisted is that? Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Twisted, indeed. The old childhood cry, “She started it!” is sad but true. Those who started it have no grounds for complaining when the fight is brought back to them.
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This is a sad story of current news. Hatred of people based on religion, ethnicity or other ideology is something that, alas, will probably never disappear although what a world we could have if it did. I have traveled the World and have found that most people all want the same thing. To live in peace and harmony.
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Dear Jan,
Would that we could realize these things. Sadly there are those who don’t want peace. I don’t understand them. Thanks, m’luv
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This is a powerful and timely story. The last line is heartbreaking.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
I wish this were fiction. Although I changed the names, there are many stories like this. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have nothing to add from what others have already commented. My heart is heavy.
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Dear Lisa,
It’s very hard to watch. Senseless, baseless hatred. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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This is heartbreaking.
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Ever so, Dawn. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, great story and a great parallel to the cycles of violence that take place. I’m heartsick whenever I hear about what is happening over there now. I can only pray for the innocent people being impacted.
-David
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Dear David,
What baffles my mind is that these “people” rejoice at the death of innocents and believe they are doing their god a great service. They are worse than the Nazis who, when the end was near, wanted to hide their crimes. These animals post photos of their “conquests” all over social media.
Okay…now that I’ve escalated to the boiling point I’ll stop and say thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My heart has not the words to truly express what I’m feeling after reading/listening to this one. Never again…. and yet…. sigh… Beautiful, sad, heart wrenching.
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This is Bear, Rochelle, for some reason, wp is screwing with me today.
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Dear Bear,
WP is messing with everyone it seems. Sorry about that. Thank you for your hearfelt comments. My heart is aching, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Let’s hope we can bring this to an end without an official war. Best wishes, Michael
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Thank you, Michalel. We can but hope. Although this war is looking more and more official and frightening.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Will the world ever be free of war? I fear not.
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Dear Anonymous,
I fear right along with you. 😦
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hate that this is not one of your historical stories. What is happening is truly awful. Hope is what we all have at the moment.
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Dear Laurie,
Indeed, we pray and we hope and we weep. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Shalom mi amiga. Shalom
Tracey
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Querida Tracey.
Gracias mi amiga.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great writing, so sorry for what the Jewish people are suffering through. But we know the end of the story🙏🙂
John Burton
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Thank you, John.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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so sad…. https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2023/10/20/friday-fictioneers-confusion/
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Shalom, LadyLee
Rochelle
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Devastating. You tell a heartbreaking story of how the hatred carries on over the generations.
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Dear Margaret,
From generation to generation. And the children of the enemy are systematically taught to hate. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle – This has left me profoundly sad. I am numb and brokenhearted from the news reports and didn’t think I had any feelings left but your story has proven me wrong. It is deeply sorrowful yet beautifully written. So very, very sad. I have no other words. Peace and love.
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Dear Nancy,
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Shalom…in the truest sense,
Rochelle
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Most welcome, Rochelle.
Yes, Shalom ✌🏼
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how sad. thinking positive has failed me in this case.
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Thank you, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It has been on and off, but this has been happening my entire life and before.
I don’t say “never again.” I ask, “will this ever end?”
A sorry sadness well-told, Rochelle.
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Dear Bill,
I understand on and off. Thank you for your kind words. All the best on your book.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle.
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A sad, powerful story. We say ‘never again’ on a few occasions, don’t we…
I’ve been away on holiday, but now I’m back and ready to join in again. 🙂
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Dear Fleur,
I hope you had a restful holiday. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve had a lovely holiday, busy at times and relaxing and very indulgent at other times 🙂 a good mix! 😉 thank you Rochelle
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When will we learn – it seems never. The tragic reality penned very well.
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Thank you, Dahlia.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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💔 Le’chaim – to life. ❤
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Thank you, Brit.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s the innocent people who get caught up in the middle that make these things so much more horrific. Soldiers killing soldiers is bad enough, but I can’t imagine the mentality that allows people to slaughter innocent, defenseless people.
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Dear Nobbin,
It’s mind boggling, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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