Using our Voices for Israel 

Earlier this week, we marked 30 days since the October 7^th attack in Israel.  This is the end of the first month of mourning (Shloshim) in Judaism, when grief is (theoretically) subsiding, and a mourner moves toward their new normal.  Yet, as we mark this period – with the Israel-Hamas war ongoing, there is no settling into a new normal, not yet.  In the words of Shalom Hartman Institute’s Yossi Klein Halevi, this war is ‘an existential war for Israel.’  It is about Israel standing up to powers that seek Israel’s destruction, and for those of us outside the Middle East, to show our support for Israel, Israelis, and the right for Israel to exist.

This month, we have seen individuals, and organizations, show their support (or not) for Israel.  We have seen a significant uptick in anti-Jewish and anti-Israel incidents, including violent ones, in the US and abroad.  It is our turn to use our voices to speak out in support of Israel, to free the hostages, and to speak against antisemitism. 

There is a March for Israel being planned for November 14 through Jewish Federation of North America. Organizers of the event told newspapers that they want to show our government that they are proud of what the US has done, how much their support has meant, and reiterate the need for continued efforts as the conflict continues.  This rally has the potential to be of similar, or perhaps even greater, impact as the 2002 pro-Israel rally during the Second Intifada, and the 1987 mass rally for Soviet Jewry that brought more than 100,000 Jewish demonstrators to the National Mall.  We spoke out then, and we will speak out now.

William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said: “Hamas’s brutal and ongoing acts of terror have no place in a civilized world and directly undermine global efforts to seek just and lasting peace in the Middle East.  Our Bible teaches us to “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14).  This is another opportunity, among others we have shared, to pursue peace, support Israel, and support our fellow Jews globally.

Want to participate in the March? The event is being organized by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) with the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton organizing logistics for our local community.  Those interested in participating should reach out with questions to congregant and Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council Director, Jeff Blumer at
937-610-1555 or jblumer@jfgd.net.

CLICK HERE to register for the march and learn more about transportation to DC.