Under explosion circumstances, the 'missing' are usually dead humans in an unidentifiable condition.
I happen to know a religious young man who's a volunteer at ZAKA Rescue Unit; his task and that of his colleagues on the team, isׂ (among other things) to collect body remains scattered in the area of the disaster, and help with the identification job of the forensic technician. It sounds horrible; it is horrible, but someone has to do it.
ZAKA team in action (web picture)
ZAKA, a civilian volunteer organization founded in Jerusalem in 1995 (activity started several years earlier), has as its motto: "saving those who can be saved, honoring those who cannot". ZAKA also operates internationally offering assistance in mass disasters around the world (eartquakes, zunamis, terrorism etc..). They were probably present on the Manchester scene too. Kudos to them for their holy work!
We all know that "prevention is the best cure". This applies not only to health issues , but to other issues as well.
We all know that "prevention is the best cure". This applies not only to health issues , but to other issues as well.
The Manchester suicide bomber, so we're told ,was on the list of 'subjects of interest'. So, what exactly did those with the "list" do about it? Nothing, it seems; absolutely nothing! Now, they're investigating.... Good Luck with that, but there is no time; terrorism has a dynamics of its own.
How wonderful here are people willing to do the job the ZAKA team does. And, I agree that something must be done about the "people of interest" who commit these horrible crimes. Every time one of these events occurs, someone says, "We knew there was something wrong/strange/dangerous/questionable about that guy." It's time to stop being politically correct and protect the innocent from these losers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteZaka volunteers are usually orthodox people who believe in the ultimate kindness, that of of honoring the dead - identifying the body beyond any doubt, and ensuring a proper burial.
I definitely think, measures should be taken before a disaster occurs. What's going on now in the world in matters of terrorism is just ridiculous.
I don't know if you knew but several years ago I worked for about nine years for a funeral home. I was the secretary but since I was the only one that spoke Spanish I would meet with Spanish speaking families and with baby families. It was a hard job but it gave me a sense of fulfillment and giving back to the world in some small part.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a post in September of 2012 where I talked about embalmers and how their job is not just a job, but a calling, much as a priest, nurse or doctor has a calling.
I would imagine that the people in the Zaka volunteer group also have a calling to help in moments when they are most needed, doing a job that is sacred and more difficult than anyone can imagine.
I give them so much credit. A beloved figure in the USA to children was Fred Rogers and he once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Yes, Alicia. I do remember your mentioning the work at a funeral home. Not everyone is capable of being in such a place. You're both strong and kind and that's what is needed in these sad places and circumstances.
DeleteIndeed, the ZAKA people consider their work a calling and see it as sacred.
That's a huge problem, so many times, authorities dismiss 'the list' and pay no attention to it. Kudos to the young man you know and to ZAKA for all their hard work. I can't imagine how horrendous that would be. And I hear Ariana Grande and other celebs will be performing at a charity concert in honor of the victims, their families and her fans. It's a scary situation all the way around, and there are probably many who have doubts about attending. Good post, Duta!
ReplyDeleteMy humble opinion is that if you deal properly with the individual potential terrorist, the one on the list - this might prevent other suspects from acting, and others from joining terror organisations.
DeleteI must confess that I've not heard before of Adriana Grande. She's probably very unhappy now with all this "fame" her name and concert got.
You have to give these volunteers credit for doing what they do. It can be scary and devastating and emotional, and they deserve our appreciation and respect.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
ps your comment made me smile big today. It really made my day. Thank you, Duta.
I totally agree with you ,Sheri, about the credit and appreciation.
DeleteI must say I feel sort of apologetic as I know it's hard to read such a post. People (including me) like to write and read about beautiful things: flowers, vacations, food etc... Sometimes, though, we need to take a break from all this and think about the tragedies in life.
Dear Duta,
ReplyDeleteRe: your reply above, yes, this was definitely a difficult post to read, although not long, for it only takes seconds to shock and sadden the human heart and soul, it seems, in this world we live in today. I appreciate your words of truth, your pointed questions and your informative posts.
Poppy
We need a strong spirit in the world of today. All these tragic events sadden us terribly, but at the same time give us, perhaps, the neccessary strength to go on, and try to find solutions.
DeleteThanks, Poppy, for your wise words.
Amazing work the young men does. Very important but difficult task indeed. It is not an easy world we live in today and I feel sorry for our children as they have to start out with this difficult world.
ReplyDeleteSadly, the young generation is not prepared for this sort of world we live in. The education of our young people is based mainly on empty slogans, on how to work less and make more (money),how to defy norms and values.
Deleteyour last line is so true. such a scary world...
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I think the world needs a Reset, but a reset could come only after a big disaster (natural or nuclear)and nobody wants that.
DeleteI don't get it either - what do they do with that list???? It seems to me if someone is on the list then they should be dealt with in some way they can't hurt others. Very sad what happened and what keeps happening.
ReplyDeleteThat's the big Question. In Israel, where you have daily acts of terror, things have nevertheless improved in this respect of lists and prevention. You just can't go on with a situation where innocent people get killed and others receive theit child or sibling in fragments.
DeleteThat would be an extremely tough job. Well, anyone that works with the dead or dying. I wish we could find peace.
ReplyDeleteWe all wish Peace, but I'm afraid as long as there's politics and politicians, it can't be obtained. These people have neither brains nor scruples and only think how to start or encourage a new stupid war (the 'Arab Spring' campaign, for example, which has terrible consequences for the entire world).
DeleteIt's difficult when the gate has been left open and the horse/s has/have bolted!
ReplyDeleteAnd on it goes...again with yesterdays London attack. Lessons never learned.
Thanks for visiting my blog, Duta. :)
Sadly, people live in illusions and slogans; they don't even try to learn any lesson. And so, as expected, after the Manchester attack, we witnessed the London attack.
DeleteWe must honour those who are the helpers. There are so many crazy people.
ReplyDeleteAs for me? flip flops are so fun! I don't worry about the critters. I could pick up our snake, they aren't poisonous. I'm having such fun watching the birds. I have to live in my small world to keep my sanity.
Few will admit there are "so many crazy people". They'll usually say people are different and we must accept them as such.
DeleteGood for you to have your own small world of flora and fauna! It helps indeed to keep one's sanity in this scary world we live in.
Depart from evil and do good.
ReplyDeleteSeek shalom and pursue it.
---Psalm 34:15
As some other readers, I also didn`t know about ZAKA. Thank you for teaching us about this group of volunteers. I looked them up to know a little more, and found out the original meaning of the group`s name is Chesed Shel Emet, Grace of Truth. I have just begun studying Hebrew recently and recognized those two words right away, Chesed for Kindness and Emet for Truth!
Sharing these two lines from the Psalms, that your post `led` me to!! May more Chesed and Emet bring light into the darkness. Blessings and shalom from Japan!!!
You've got it right, indeed .'Chesed shel Emet' is the group's purpose. Caring for the dead is the ultimate act of kindness, the highest mitzva.
DeleteGood Luck with your Hebrew studies!
Thank you! I used some Hebrew in my drawings in my recent postcard post. Please join in if you are inclined!!--there is an `active` part! And if you wouln`t mind,...please let me know if I made any glaring mistakes with the Hebrew writing of the letters! Have a great day/night! (not sure the time difference between Israel and Japan!!)
DeleteHi Shayndel. Your hebrew letters are just fine, and the card beautiful. (For your info , hebrew is not my native language, only my second one, and english is the third one). Blessings to you!
DeleteThank you Duta! Wow, Hebrew is your second, English is your third?! That`s amazing!!. I have lived in Japan 18 years and am going so slowly with my language skills, but I love languages. Have a great day!
DeleteOn the list? Can't watch them all I assume....sad but somebody has to do the clean up of things like that. I couldn't
ReplyDeleteSadly, it's always too late after the fact, isn't it?
ReplyDelete