A letter from Rome: St. Helena couple forced to flee Israel
By Marilyn Asmuth
ROME — My husband, Paul, and I had journeyed to Israel in advance of a pilgrimage to many sacred sites we had learned about and longed to experience. We wanted to arrive in advance to adjust to the time difference before embarking on our adventure.
Our leader was to be Kristi McClelland, a Bible scholar who instructs from the Middle Eastern perspective, providing cultural and historical context. She has conducted tours for more than 15 years.
On Friday, Oct. 6, we enjoyed a wonderful day in Tel Aviv. The highlight was meeting Noya, a lovely young server who dreams of being a professional musician. Since all young Israelis must serve in the army for two years, we feel certain that she was later called up as a reservist. Her specialty is search and rescue. We are thankful to be able to picture her as our prayers join the many for safety, wisdom and resolve.
On Saturday morning we awoke to cluster explosions that sounded to us like fireworks. As news of the attack by Hamas broke, a friend from home connected us with a local journalist who was incredibly helpful in providing real-time updates, advice and understanding of the accustomed way of life in Israel.
We learned, for example, that if a siren goes off and you’re outside, run for cover. If you’re driving, pull your car over wherever you can with the flashers on and do the same. Head to a shelter if one is available. All of this is to protect people from potential shrapnel falling from an intercepted missile. We followed these instructions, and after about five minutes we witnessed everyone returning to life as usual.
We were fortunate to be in an area under their “Iron Dome,” Israel’s missile defense system. We felt relatively safe and made new acquaintances from different parts of the world in our hotel as we shared our plight and eagerness to return to safe soil — anywhere. We were also thankful to have internet and access to local groceries for our meals as everything was closed in our neighborhood except fabric stores, which we found ironic.
As we learned of the brutal taking of innocent lives, we joined in the chorus of overwhelming sadness for the senseless acts.
It was extremely difficult to find a flight out. As the conflict escalated, many airlines cancelled departures or stopped flying at all. We made several reservations to different destinations in hopes that one would come through.
Finally, on Friday the 13th, the Israeli airline El Al provided safe transport to Rome. We have been spending our remaining holiday in the southern region of Campania, which is familiar and comforting to us.
We found those we met in Tel Aviv to be welcoming and resilient. And, as we have experienced at home, in times of crisis people come together. A neighborhood synagogue was assembling meals for the injured while restaurants were doing the same for the military. Many families with bomb shelters were taking in those who did not have them nearby for protection.
Besides the collective, palpable trauma of our proximity to the ongoing atrocities, we felt initially abandoned by our government, both local and federal. In an official statement we were instructed to “find our own passage to safety” while other countries were sending charter planes to rescue their citizens. On Monday, Oct. 16, a ship was commissioned to take U.S. citizens to Cyprus. They made their own arrangements from there.
We were very much buoyed by the outpouring of concern and prayers from family and friends both at home and abroad while we all remained in flux. Thankfully, we will return home on Friday, Oct. 20. It will take some time to process our experience. While we hope to return to Israel one day, we are now forever changed in ways we could never have predicted.
Editor’s Note: Paul and Marilyn have lived in St. Helena for 30 years. Paul is the Director of Special Projects and Community Relations at The Napa Valley Reserve. Marilyn is an Executive Advisor at RBO & Co., LLC, a RIA in St. Helena. Both serve on local boards, volunteer in the community and attend St. Helena’s Grace Episcopal Church. They have spearheaded a future redwood community forest at the St. Helena wastewater treatment plant. They raised their children here and delight in the health and well-being of their beautiful grandchildren.
Marilyn Asmuth’s personal account of their escape from Israel brings up-front reality to the ongoing war. Thank you for sharing it.
Glad to read you are both safe.