While living in Tel Aviv some years ago, I was home alone and once the sirens went off I went to my balcony to stand only to find a man, who had been working on his car with the the hood up, stop what he was doing and stand the 2 minutes along with myself (I lived on a quiet street).

This was my first year in Israel and my first very personal experience. There was an overwhelming sense of no matter where any of us where at the moment as individuals, we were collectively standing together.

Why do we have to stand still?
Why are people sad?
Do I have to be sad?
Look I’m happy, not sad.
Will people still be sad tomorrow?

Awareness begins in Israel at a very young age.