(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A rabbi who returned to the Chicago area from a trip to Israel is keeping a close eye on war as three of his children and other family remain overseas.
"Up until that Saturday morning, we had a fantastic time," says Rabbi Shmuel Schuman, CEO of Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, referring to Hamas militants' deadly incursion Oct. 7.
He said he woke up to the sound of air raid sirens.
The rabbi and his wife, Shana, had spent more than two weeks in Israel during the Jewish holidays. They were staying in Jerusalem with his 24-year old daughter, Zehava Reischer, who had just become a CPA; her husband, Yehiel, who is studying to become a rabbi; and their son, Meir.
The Schuman's 21-year old son, Ari, and their 19-year old son, Akiva, are studying in Israel.
The Schumans were scheduled to return home the following Tuesday but with airline delays and cancelations they did not depart until Thursday.
"It's a precarious situation for everybody there, but I didn't feel it was unsafe for my kids to be there. Otherwise, I certainly would have brought them back.
"They're doing their thing. They're learning. They're studying. They're living their dream right now, and, if I don't have to take that away, then I want to keep things as they are."
He says Israel cannot tolerate the Hamas attacks but should be mindful of innocent people, something he calls a "very tricky situation."
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