This past week I have been on the road traveling to visit so many of our partners across the United States. After spending last Shabbos in Boca Raton, which is one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in America, I went to Denver to visit one of our strongest Aish branches. I was heartened to hear about their plans to engage so many Jews through the upcoming High Holiday season. In a post October 7th world, so many Jews want to engage with their Judaism. It is so important that we make sure to throw the doors to our synagogues wide open so that every Jew feels welcome.
It was also wonderful to spend quality time with my good friend, Sandy Schiff who has been one of the longtime pillars of Aish and was one of a small group of partners who hired me nine years ago. We talked a lot about the building of the Dan Family Aish World Center. Sandy kept explaining how the hand of the Almighty was ever present and made so many seemingly impossible things happen along the way.
I then traveled to Los Angeles where I had the chance to sit down with the staff of Aish LA at their headquarters. We spoke about Aish global initiatives that they are getting involved with and their incredible Jewish American Summit. Given the climate where Jews find themselves encountering unprecedented hate across America, it is now more important than ever to convene our people. This event will enable so many Jews to hear from leaders across the globe about important topics. I highly recommend attending!
While I was traveling, I was glued to all the news outlets as everyone else has been. I was particularly crushed by the horrific slaughter of the 12 young Druze adolescents murdered by Hezbollah while playing soccer. I had met the leader of the Druze community, Sheikh Muafak Tarif recently at a World Zionist Organization event. I immediately sent him condolences on behalf of the Aish global community.
While on the road I was asked to appear on one of the cable news channels to comment on world events. Usually they send you an article or two regarding the topic. I knew that I would be addressing the fact that fans in the stands of the Paris Olympic Games were filmed giving the infamous ‘Heil’ Nazi salute aimed at disgracing the Jews in the stands who were supporting Israel during a soccer match. As the interview started, news had just come in of Israel’s targeted killing in Lebanon of Hezbollah leader, Fuad Shukr who was responsible for the rocket attack that killed the Druze children and was also responsible for the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marine barracks that killed 241 U.S. service members.
The anchors asked me what my thoughts were in light of this event. I spoke from the heart that I don’t think I’ve ever had a prouder moment in my entire life as a Jew or as a supporter of Israel. Incredulously, the entire world ignored the murder of these Druze children. Yet, Israel which is the only Jewish state in the world avenged the lives of these non-Jewish children. It was the ultimate values statement which said we will defend everyone against terror, Jew or non-Jew.
My friends, how we conduct ourselves given the hate our community is facing around the world will speak volumes as to who we are in the decades to come. The fact that Israel avenged these Druze children and brought justice to 241 American Marine families is a testament to the fact that Jews have never been about only ourselves. This fight that we find ourselves in is a fight between right and wrong, between good and evil. We must stand together with those who embrace morality in the world.
Aish has put together the most deeply meaningful film for the upcoming Tisha B’Av commemoration. The 9th day of the month of Av is the day that the first and second Temples were destroyed and remain so today 2500 years later, a day in which we commemorate all tragic events that happened throughout Jewish history. This year one cannot experience Tisha B’Av without reflecting on the pain and loss of October 7th. Our superstar CMO, Jamie Geller has traveled throughout Israel to interview so many Jewish heroes who shared their experience of the events of October 7th and the struggles that ensued in the following weeks and months, as well as the courageous response to what they experienced. Aish Senior Rabbinical Educator, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen, adds much needed context to these stories. Many thanks to Rabbi Jack Kalla and Rabbi Daniel Rose for coordinating this project. This is a program that you will not want to miss. To register for the program as an individual or to arrange a screening in your community, you can click here.
In the end, being a Jew means being guided by a value system that is core to who we are. As painful as this past year has been for all of us, we must continue to push forward. To be strong. To do what is right no matter how many times the UN condemns us. We are guided by the moral principles set forth by the Almighty. No matter how much hate is thrust upon us we will continue defending ourselves and all those in need of our protection.
