Living in a Hotel After the Tel Aviv Missile Strike: Rebuilding Life and Israel Daily News

Shanna Fuld in a speaking engagement in Israel

Life After the Tel Aviv Missile Strike

Since the Tel Aviv missile strike destroyed my apartment and the Israel Daily News studio on June 16th, I've been living in a hotel. I thought only TV and book characters lived in hotels. Have you ever read A Gentleman in Moscow? I'm getting chills. The hotel is not home, and I often forget during my walks "home" that I'm actually returning to the hotel and not my apartment, which is no more. The hotel has, however, been a place to sleep, work, and eat alongside other evacuees.

It is a respectful place where people are careful not to take up too much of your space or energy during meals, while still remaining warm and friendly. The unspoken rule seems to be: if you want to make friends, you can; if you prefer to eat alone, that's perfectly acceptable too. Isn't that a relief?

The tax authorities have told us we all have until August 1st before we need to vacate. While I'm actively searching for a new apartment after the Tel Aviv missile strike, it's been difficult to find something that truly suits both my personal and professional needs.

Behind the scenes, I've also been caught in a frustrating bureaucratic cycle. Israeli authorities have required me to continue paying rent for my destroyed apartment—yes, the one I can't live in—in order to remain eligible for government support. It's a strange process, but everyone assures me it is supposed to work and that I should receive reimbursement approximately 45 days after my claim is processed. Let's hope.

Every day, I'm fielding questions from people who care, and it means the world. But I'll be honest—retelling the story of the Tel Aviv missile strike over and over again can be emotionally draining and takes time away from the work I'm doing to move forward. So if you've read my updates here, thank you. It truly helps me to be able to share them in one place.

To my listeners, readers, and this incredible community: thank you for being the thoughtful, grounded, and supportive people that you are. I couldn't ask for a better, more sensitive, or more intelligent audience.

With deep gratitude,

Shanna Fuld

Editor & CEO, Israel Daily News