By Mindy Rubenstein
Seven years ago, Diego was rescued from a Category 5 hurricane in Puerto Rico and brought to a shelter in Virginia, where we welcomed him into our family.
Growing up in Florida, I was relatively used to hurricanes, but the two recent storms ruined my parents’ home. They are now in the process of rebuilding and seeking a temporary place to live with their dog, Milo.
Since we made aliyah two years ago, we’ve faced new challenges here in Israel. B*mb threats are part of our daily reality, with sirens going off in our town or the sound of explosions nearby. Thank G-d, Israel has a phenomenal defense system (technologically and spiritually).
When the sirens go off, Diego comes with us to the mamad. The mamad, not just a shelter during air raids but also our home office and den, becomes a place where we gather for safety and comfort. Like many homes in Israel, it’s built to protect against multiple threats, giving us both security and a sense of togetherness during those tense moments.
I received a second-hand teddy bear for my birthday, but Diego has claimed it as his own. In the photo here, he’s laying with it on the futon in our mamad.
The Hebrew word for dog, כֶּלֶב (kelev), is thought to come from the phrase “all heart” (כּוּלוֹ לֵב), symbolizing the loyalty and love that dogs, like Diego, bring into our lives.
Life can be unpredictable, but it’s the relationships we build—with people, pets, and a Higher Power—that give us the peace, love, and sense of security we all need.
May this Sukkot bring shelter and simcha, wherever we may find oursleves.
Mindy Rubenstein is a writer, artist and teacher of English and writing living in Northern Israel. She is now accepting new students. Book a session here.
Man and Woman: How to Live and Love
Leadership and Receptivity: A Torah Foundation for Shalom Bayit Shalom Bayit is not built only on communication skills or shared values. Judaism teaches that peace in the home depends on clear roles, grounded leadership, and willing trust — emotionally, materially, and physically. In Torah language, this structure is called mashpia and mekabel — one who…
Finding My Voice: A Writer’s Journey
By Mindy Morasha Rubenstein I began this journey as a writer before I knew exactly what I was writing about. I was the “lost child” in my family, growing up in chaos, and I didn’t know how to rescue others — but I did know I had a voice. I would later discover that writing…
The Hidden Abuse No One Talks About
I don’t have any bruises or scars, so you’d never know. What actually constitutes emotional or financial abuse can be so subtle. For nearly three decades, I’ve lived in a nearly constant state of confusion, moving between being triggered by emotional abandonment and wondering if I was the one who was crazy. Maybe at times…
Mindy Morasha 