Lihi Lapid: "A Moment in Our Life Now"

Zibby Publishing Author's Granddaughter's Toddler Bed, Caught in the Crossfire

That’s it—the parents decided little Naomi should start getting used to sleeping in her own room.

Yoav had the sweetest idea: to build her a bed she could climb in and out of, so she could come to them.

Two weeks ago, the bed arrived, and little by little Naomi learned to sleep in it.

Last night, though, she didn’t.

They decided to spend the night at the kibbutz, with Shay’s parents (the even more amazing grandparents than us).

That night, the Iranians bombed the neighborhood.

Yoav texted that he’d been told their windows were shattered.

In the morning, Yair went over to the apartment—and saw Naomi’s new bed covered in glass shards.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard Yair sound like that.

I still have chills.

A one-year-old baby girl, and her bed full of broken glass.

I don’t want to imagine what could’ve happened if she’d been there.

Take care of yourselves, and of your children.

Shelters, safe rooms—this isn’t something to mess around with.

We’re all guarding life.

And hamsa on you, Naomi.

I hope you grow up in a country where all of this is just a strange, distant memory—

a story grandmothers tell.

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Lihi Lapid is an author and journalist whose books deal with contemporary women’s issues. She is the author of the bestselling novel in Israel, Secrets from Within, and On Her Own; a cookbook entitled Lihi Lapid’s Favorite Recipes, and a bestselling children’s book, The Magic Whisper. Prior to becoming a writer, Ms. Lapid was a professional photographer. Educated at the prestigious Camera Obscura School of Art and Tel Aviv University, she served in the Israel Defense Forces as a photographer for its Bamachane magazine. She lives in Tel Aviv with her husband, Yair Lapid, the former prime minister of Israel, and their two children.

Her novel I Wanted to Be Wonderful is forthcoming from Zibby Publishing (October 21, 2025). She was a contributor to On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates.