Friday, August 22, 2003
Sparks from Israel
The Guard
There is a guard at the bank I frequent. The guard sits at the entrance and like every guard has a gun and just like every other guard checks bags and belongings before entering the bank. In all public places like shopping centers, post offices, wherever people gather, there are guards. The guards or ‘shomrim’ as they are called, are the unsung heroes of Israel. They are on the front lines, and often when death comes calling, they are the first victims. It is they who often shield others at the expense of their own lives.
You would think this work was very highly paid, but actually, they don’t really get paid too much. You can see on the faces of many guards, apprehension and attentiveness and I can imagine sometimes what they must think about. And so my favorite unsung hero at the bank does a good job as all other guards do. But there is something quite different about this guard.
In Canada, guards and policemen are a certain breed. But as I approach this one you can tell right away you are in Israel. My favorite guard is a sweet little Russian lady in her fifties. She sits and draws on her pad, and she is a very good artist. I say hello and ask to see her latest masterpiece. She gives me a big smile and tells me she is not so inspired yet, maybe later in the day. If she had to use her gun, I’m sure she would be a good shot and she’s not afraid. Nor is anyone else who comes in and out of the bank. There is no fear in Israel, only outside Israel. Here people watch over each other, while
they make paintings.
The Guard
There is a guard at the bank I frequent. The guard sits at the entrance and like every guard has a gun and just like every other guard checks bags and belongings before entering the bank. In all public places like shopping centers, post offices, wherever people gather, there are guards. The guards or ‘shomrim’ as they are called, are the unsung heroes of Israel. They are on the front lines, and often when death comes calling, they are the first victims. It is they who often shield others at the expense of their own lives.
You would think this work was very highly paid, but actually, they don’t really get paid too much. You can see on the faces of many guards, apprehension and attentiveness and I can imagine sometimes what they must think about. And so my favorite unsung hero at the bank does a good job as all other guards do. But there is something quite different about this guard.
In Canada, guards and policemen are a certain breed. But as I approach this one you can tell right away you are in Israel. My favorite guard is a sweet little Russian lady in her fifties. She sits and draws on her pad, and she is a very good artist. I say hello and ask to see her latest masterpiece. She gives me a big smile and tells me she is not so inspired yet, maybe later in the day. If she had to use her gun, I’m sure she would be a good shot and she’s not afraid. Nor is anyone else who comes in and out of the bank. There is no fear in Israel, only outside Israel. Here people watch over each other, while
they make paintings.
