Israel - Katyushas Force Camp Closure on Shabbas

Israel - Campers at Ramah Noam, a summer camp for over 400 teens aged 12-16 from the Noam youth movement at Givat Haviva, had an unscheduled activity added to their Shabbas afternoon routine: a rapid evacuation of the camp after Katyusha rockets hit nearby Hadera the previous night.

Camp director Ze'ev Kainan decided to evacuate the camp when he heard that the rockets had hit neighboring Hadera, despite the fact that it was Shabbas. "Even though we are a camp with observant campers, we decided it was an issue of pikuach nefesh," explained Kainan.
Kainan consulted the camp rabbi and another rabbi, who both approved his decision to evacuate the camp. "There is no one who has not agreed with our decision," said Kainan.

Despite the support for his decision to evacuate the camp, disappointing many of the youngsters but easing concerns of many worried parents, Kainan describes the decision as "definitely difficult to make."
Once the decision was made, the campers were told to pack up their things immediately to return home. Specialty staff members were told to man the phones and call the campers' parents to inform them of their children's new plans. Kainan sent e-mails to parents to tell them to read the announcement at their synagogues. "It was the first time I have ever used a computer on Shabbas," noted Kainan, himself observant.
At 1 p.m. on Saturday the camp held its ceremony. The campers were then sent home on buses that had been called. "The bus company owner and some of the bus drivers are observant but they came because they knew it was pikuah nefesh," said Kainan.