Holocaust Survivor's War Traumas

Aspir Balta ( Pira) Balta is an 80 year old widow of a disabled Second World War veteran who resides in Amigour's "Neve Dekalim" Sheltered Home in Ashkelon. She is sitting in the secured area in the building during the rocket attack from Gaza.
Aspir recalls the Nazi attack on June 22, 1941 and the nightmare that has remained etched in her memory for over 73 years. " At the beginning of the war on June 22, 1941, German planes flew over the Dnieper River, but they didn't bomb. But then, there was bombing for five days and we ran over 60km from the city until we arrived at the Dnieper River. We went on a raft and floated south. Bombs continuously fell on us and we were very scared. I was 7 years old at the time.

Unfortunately, Ashkelon has been attacked many times by rockets from the Hamas.

Question: "Aspir, How do you feel when you hear the siren of "red alert" and sounds of explosions?"
Aspir: For my entire life, whenever I hear the sound of an airplane, I am afraid and I remember what I went through in my childhood. The sirens and sounds of explosions remind me of pictures of the war I went through- you cannot erase that from your heart or your head. It remains with you a lifetime.

Question: How do you feel about the rockets and explosions that you heard today?
Aspir: I am afraid, but I am not alone. I am in Amigour's Sheltered Home and I feel safe and protected. However, I fear for my children and grandchildren. They have to go to work and my grandson is a solder in the Israeli Defense Forces. I try not to call them so often so they won’t that I panicking.

Question: During these difficult times, you don't leave the building where you live ( Amigour Neve Dehkalim Sheltered Home). Do you feel safe and protected thanks to the State of Israel, Amigour and our supporters?
Aspir: Absolutely.