As we approach the High Holidays, the looming question for me is whether or not I have met my responsibility to my Jewish people and God in being of service in creating a better world on Earth.
After 2,000 years, the Jewish people re-established a modern-day Jewish state in Israel, having prayed that entire time for the rebirth of Israel. Today, we face the challenge of keeping that dream alive, an effort that is not without controversy even within our own Jewish people. We are still living during a golden era, even if we do not fully recognize it, and even at a time of rising antisemitism in some pockets of the world. We must be committed to carrying out God’s kingdom on Earth, and that requires an analysis of our current actions within ourselves and among others.
Even as Israel moves into Gaza City to rescue the hostages and end the war, the hunger, genocide and “aid” controversy remains in the news. Hamas is the governing force for the Gazans, responsible for their well-being. Not only has its leadership failed and not taken responsibility for its people, but Hamas has also sabotaged Israel’s efforts working together with the United States and other Western countries to bring peace to the region. Its leaders in Qatar have ripped off billions of dollars while living in luxury for themselves and their families. Those remaining after Israel’s recent attack on Doha still watch Gaza from a distance, ensuring that the worldwide narrative against Israel is secure.
We see France, Britain and other countries giving recognition to a Palestinian state, including Judea and Samaria. To its great credit, recent action has been taken by Israel’s Knesset to look toward declaring sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, and it is urgent that this become a reality, and word go out that the land is now part of Israel and its governance, even with concern of impacting the movement forward of the Abraham Accords. Israel and the Jewish community can no longer remain on the defensive; we must be assertive and act first, even when it is most difficult. That’s the only way Israel can survive in an unforgiving region and move toward a long-term peace with its neighbors.
We must condemn those within our Jewish community who stand against us in their words and deeds. Just recently, I read an outrageous essay condemning Israel for practically everything that has taken place since the Jewish people returned, restored and created the modern-day State of Israel, including essentially every war since its founding. The piece was written by a Jewish professor at Columbia University, though maybe that’s not so astonishing anymore, since we heard a Jewish actor at the Emmy Awards shouting out “Free Palestine!” upon receiving one of the awards. Disheartening does not express my sentiment regarding the number of Jews who have not been supportive of Israel during this most critical time, and in fact have been nearly destructive in their commentary.
It is a Jewish value to be concerned with human rights throughout the world, and as individual Jews, we have been in the leadership positions of many of these human rights organizations. Human rights are on the front burner of Israel’s policies, as “human dignity” is included right in the title of Israel’s Basic Law, passed in 1992 by the Knesset to guarantee the values of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. When looking at the face of survival, values have a way of taking on new meaning. I have empathy for all those who are enrolling in this war, yet when I look at the Jewish people, today’s war means fighting for the peace that has eluded Israel for so long, and the Jewish people, literally for millennia.
Those who attack Israel directly and indirectly—whether with arms or with words—we will not succumb to your darkness. In fact, we will call it out and look at the day that you will no longer have any influence over our actions. Yes, there has been a rise in antisemitism worldwide with this antipathy toward Israel. We now know it for what it is, and more importantly, we know those who propound it for whom they are.
I know our future is a bright one. Those who have stood against our people during a time of need, you are the demons who will be singled out as the Hamans and enemies of our time. Our moment is now, and we must approach it with the commitment that we have with God, to celebrate our opportunity to live on Earth in happiness and peace.
