Page 9 - Issue 20

started gathering rocks again. I raised my voice and
then he started to argue with me. And that's when I let
loose.
He was not pleased. But the rock-throwing stopped. I
hate to yell at kids and I won't do it even for things
that really bother me personally. But when it comes to
shmirat hayim (protecting life) I'm willing to cross
that line.

Later, I was sitting in a zoom call in the Ken at 8:30pm
when I heard the telltale pitter patter of feet on the
roof. A public playground was built next to our ken two
years ago, which has been a magnet for young people.
While this is a fantastic development, one issue it has
brought with it is that the kids have grown fond of
testing their courage and physical abilities by
climbing onto and running on the roof of the nearest
building, our ken.

We’ve managed to get the problem somewhat under
control with hadracha, as the city has refused to build
any physical barriers at the easiest points of access,
but while the amount of time spent by kids on the roof,
especially during hours of activity has decreased, it
still happens occasionally. Our ability to deal with
this is limited by our relationship with the kids -
climbing onto the roof to remove them would endanger
them and us. Reporting them to authorities (their
parents, schools, etc.) would only damage our
relationship with them and possibly move their
dangerous activities elsewhere. So we invite them
inside, provide them with healthier forms of
entertainment and stimulation and through the