AVENTURA, Fla. — In South Florida, Rabbi Yossi Harlig has been in constant contact with loved ones in Israel, checking in as sirens sound and people rush to shelters.
“Are you calling from the shelter? Where are you?” he asked during one call.
On the other end was Brianna Dvorah Biton, who grew up in Miami and now lives in Israel with her husband and their six children. She spoke via Zoom on Sunday afternoon, describing what the last several hours have been like.
“In a span of 10 hours we had 23 sirens,” Biton said. “So if you want to take an average, it’s two an hour.”
The spike in alerts follows U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. In response, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes aimed at Israel and U.S. targets in the Middle East.
Israel’s Iron Dome defense system has intercepted most incoming missiles, but residents are still required to seek shelter when alerts sound.
Biton showed the room her family is using as a safe space.
“We brought in a big bed and two smaller mattresses,” she said. “I lifted them so they can play.”
Israeli airspace is currently closed, leaving her husband stranded in South Florida. For now, she is caring for and protecting their six children alone, with no timeline for when he will be able to return home.
Despite the fear and uncertainty, Biton and Rabbi Harlig say they believe this moment could mark a turning point for Iranians who want change.
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