Undoubtedly, one of the foundational figures in the greater Bergen County Jewish community is Rabbi Yosef Adler. Rabbi Adler, shlita, served as morah d’asra of Rinat Yisrael from 1979 to 2021 and also was the rosh yeshiva for TABC for many years. When President Trump made good on his promise to move the U.S. Embassy to the eternal capital for the state of Israel and the people of Israel, Rabbi Adler asked his congregants to write a letter to President Trump thanking him for this. He made this request independent of any other policies that congregants may agree or disagree with.

I believe we find ourselves now in a situation that shares similarities to the one Rabbi Adler guided Rinat Yisrael through at that time. So many American lawmakers and leaders from many different backgrounds have joined to support Israel, which is on the frontline of civilization fighting barbarism and terror. Each leader speaking out and passing policy in support of Israel has people who would push them to do differently; on the far right are isolationists, and on the far left are the pro-terror caucus. I would urge everyone in the community to take a moment and call or email an official they may not normally support and thank them for their strength in supporting Israel.

Demonstrating hakarat hatov is fundamentally a Torah value and giving chizuk to those who support Israel is not only good for the Jews, but good for humanity.

Howie Forman
Teaneck