The children were upset and the grown-ups were unhappy. The folks in the ElderHome felt more elderly; the people in shul felt like it was Tisha B’Av all over again.

“We can’t just let them leave!” said Mr. Eini. “We have to do something!”

“What can you do?” asked Officer Samsonoff. “They aren’t breaking the law by moving away.”

“Let’s protest!” cried Mr. Yaakobi. So the town divided into four delegations — one of parents and neighbors one from the ElderHome one for the boys and one for the girls — and they marched downJerichoin a long sad line holding signs:

“PLEASE DON’T GO.”

“YOU CAN’T LEAVE.”

“WE NEED YOU.”

“YOU BELONG HERE.”

“Oh my look out the window and see what’s coming” said Mrs. Mitzvah. “It looks like a parade but not a happy one.”