Squill flowers like memorial candles

The words of legendary Israeli song writer, Naomi Shemer's, sweet children's song for the Jewish New Year have taken on new meaning for me since the October 7th 2023 Hamas invasion of Israel on the festival of Simhat Torah, which concludes the Jewish autumn festive season. "On Rosh Hashana a white boat suddenly anchored off the coast ,,, On Rosh Hashana, on Rosh Hashana A cloud flitted by in the autumn sky On Rosh Hashana white squill Lit up the field like memorial candles" (my rough translation) Since the Hamas invasion which triggered years of war in our region I can't see the tall, ethereal stands of autumn squill without thinking that they are not only harbingers of the upcoming rainy season, but indeed also nature's memorial candles this time of year. Perhaps Naomi Shemer was thinking of the Yom Kippur War when she wrote that line. For me though those lines, the boat off shore, the rows of candle-like squill take me to Carmiya nature reserve and the adjacent Zikim beach on October 7th 2023, the morning Hamas attacked from the sea. I think many Israelis find themselves in a painful dilemma this time of year, how to reconcile the obligation to rejoice on the festival Sukkot but also to include in their hol hamo'ed activities a way to honour and remember the horrific Hamas invasion of three years ago on Simhat Torah/7/10? We don't mourn on yom tov and yet we are still a nation in trauma.

I suggest visiting the Carmiya nature reserve and nearby Zikim beach as a way to try to find a balance.

Before the war the Carmiya nature reserves was one of our favourite family outings this time of year, one of the best places in Israel to see large numbers of hatzavim (squill flowers) and also close to the beautiful Zikim beach.

Then on October 7th the adjacent Zikim beach was one of the places attacked by Hamas, with Israelis murdered on the beach and nature reserve. The area has been closed since the war began due to its proximity to Gaza and war damage.

Recently both the beach and nature reserve have re-opened to the public after the beach facilities were restored and upgraded.

Carmiya is an easy, family friendly walk through a sandy nature reserve featuring fragments of the shikma sycamore fig trees which once covered this coastal area. This time of year the highlight is the large meadow of tall white hatzavim (squill flowers) that bloom in late summer/early autumn and are symbols of the autumn festive season in Israel. The flowers are slightly past their peak but still beautiful with many flowering in impressive clusters.The main path is mostly flat and pushchair friendly. It is open free of charge.

I recommend going late in the afternoon and then moving on to Zikim beach to enjoy sunset over the Mediterranean. Earlier in the day there is a lifeguard and some kind of refreshment stand at the beach. There are toilets and showers and plenty of parking.

On the way to Zikim take a few minutes to pay your respects at a couple of memorials along the road commemorating those murdered on Simhat Torah/7/10.

Of course there is something jarring about combining a fun family outing with remembering the horrors of that terrible Simhat Torah, but I think that is perhaps the point of this outing, a message of life, rebuilding and restoration while honouring the memories of those we have lost.

Hamas invaded to snuff out Israeli life, to murder people enjoying the simple pleasures of a walk on the beach, early morning fishing or strolling through nature. Restoring these oh so normal activities is a small act of defiance in the face of those who want to destroy us and our country.

In a way this is Israel in a nutshell, remembering our fallen, never forgetting what happened that day, but also teaching our children to live, find joy and appreciate the beauty of or country