What is your message to Jews in the Diaspora right now?
America has offered a lot to Jews, especially to my family and me. I’m very thankful for that; this doesn’t negate what I’m about to say. Open the history books. History repeats itself. One need not look further than the history books to know what is about to happen. And we know it’s about to happen because it has happened in every single empire throughout history, whether it was the ancient Egyptians, the Greeks, the Soviets or the Nazis. History repeats itself in every generation. Sadly, it is the case that the empire begins to turn against the Jews.
I tell my friends within and outside the United States that I understand that it’s difficult to just pick up and go, but if you believed there was a gun to your head, you would already be on that plane. There are antisemites in sports, in Congress, and on stage. There are synagogues being targeted at scale; people’s windows are being shattered. There are Jews being beaten within an inch of their lives on the streets of Los Angeles. What constitutes a gun? What must happen for you to say, “I’m done; it’s not safe here anymore”?
I’m pained by these words I am compelled to say. I hope to God that I am wrong. Nothing would make me happier. Unfortunately, history has prescribed that I’m not wrong. It’s not going to get any better. I believe it’s going to get a lot worse, and quick.
With all that’s going on in the world from the rhetoric we’ve heard to what we’ve seen here in New Jersey where Jews were accosted by protesters outside a synagogue—why do you feel that your message is so unpopular?
My message has been unpopular in every generation: “We’re comfortable,” said the Jews. “It could never happen here.” My Holocaust survivor grandparents didn’t think it would happen in Germany, an enlightened country. Nobody believed it could happen. The same holds true everywhere. There was an event called Farhud, the Iraqi pogram against the Jews in the summer of 1941. Jews were living happily in Iraq—until they weren’t. The mob came in one day without warning and massacred Jews.
We want to believe it’s not happening here, but it is, unfortunately. Why didn’t the Jews in Germany get out? I’ve grappled with this question my entire life: What were they waiting for? I did not have an answer until recently.
Your response to recent events has been: “Make aliyah.” In your opinion, what has been preventing people from doing so?
There are a lot of reasons, and some of them are justified. I want to make myself clear: People have elderly parents, kids with disabilities; people need to make a living. I’m not belittling anyone. These reasons are valid. But if you had a gun to your head, would other considerations dictate your next move, or would life and death?
It’s difficult to pick up and move; I understand that. However, it’s no longer a luxury at this point. It’s a necessity.
You state that aliyah is a decision people need not come to right away; rather they can make a two- to five-year plan to get their affairs in order and “get out.” What would you say then to people who say moving to Israel is a lofty goal, but that it’s not practical or something they have to do?
I’m speaking from how I see history. No one is being forced to do anything. We are seeing history unfolding—and we know what comes next. I’m coming from a place of love.
For those who have still not made the move, what can they do to protect themselves in their “home countries?”
The obvious answer is to arm oneself. I’m not going to tell Jews not to walk the streets of New York with their yarmulkes on. That’s a horrible thing to say. The reality is that it’s happening on the subways, it’s happening in Times Square. So if you’re adamant on staying there, and you don’t want to put yourself or your family in danger, then (and it’s unfortunate that we are at that point right now) you’re going to have to hide your Judaism.
What can New Jersey Jews do to support Israel right now?
Everyone can do their part in this war, from taking to social media to spread the truth to donating; do what you can to help Israel. As harsh as this might be to say: We need you here standing by our side, not on the sidelines.
You have warned long before October 7 that Jews should leave their home countries and come to their Homeland. In 2022, in the wake of Kanye West’s antisemitic rant, you said that Jews should come home. What was the impetus for your message then, and how much worse have things gotten in America now?
Love him or hate him, Kanye West is one of the most popular artists in history. It came as a shock when he espoused his love for Hitler. That seems subtle compared to what’s going on out in the open right now. It was antisemitism rearing its ugly head once again.
The silence from the world in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7 has been deafening. Does the world simply not care about us anymore or has this always been the case?
This is nothing new. It’s antisemitism showing its face. I don’t think anyone cared about the Jews during World War II; I don’t think they care now. They only care when Israel retaliates. Suddenly, the media goes crazy. This is nothing new.
When a real estate expo for homes in Israel is so triggering we know we are on the right track. There has been an uptick in interest in Jews making aliyah. What are some reasons people have given to you for doing so?
When I was growing up, making aliyah meant lowering your quality of life. You wouldn’t have as much money, you couldn’t have a nice car … This is no longer the case! If you’re good at what you do and you’re willing to work hard, you can make good money in Israel. If you’re resourceful and make connections, you can make the same amount (if not more) than you would have outside of Israel.
I’m about to walk into a meeting here in Jerusalem. Yes, we’re at war, don’t get me wrong. The North is suffering horribly—as is the South. But the people are resilient. וְכַאֲשֶׁר֙ יְעַנּ֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ כֵּ֥ן יִרְבֶּ֖ה וְכֵ֣ן יִפְרֹ֑ץ וַיָּקֻ֕צוּ מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
The more they persecuted us the stronger we got. It’s right there in the Torah (Shemot 1:12).
We’ve survived and we will thrive; it’s in our nature. We’re naturally resilient. We’re living our best lives here. We’re doing our best.
You’ve mentioned that the Israel of today is not the one people might have thought of 40 years ago in terms of access to products, quality of life, parnasa, etc. What has Israel been doing to help newcomers?
Growing up, we didn’t have Nefesh B’Nefesh; there are amazing organizations right now, such as Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Jewish Agency, which are dedicated to helping Jews make aliyah. It’s infinitely easier today than it used to be. Are there challenges? Yes. At the end of the day, you can come home. As someone succinctly put it: In America, you can succeed despite being a Jew. In Israel, you can succeed because you are a Jew. Israel is your home; it’s here to accept you and help you succeed. You need to be here right now.
The United States District Court in D.C. recently ruled that Iran is liable for your brother Ari, ob”m’s, murder and must pay $191 million. How do you feel about the verdict? What are the practical applications of it?
It’s not incredibly meaningful. Ultimately, we’re not going to see a dime of that money. It is symbolic, though; it shows that Iran is what we know they are. The chances of us seeing that money is close to none. You saw the ruling; at the end of the day it’s not going to bring Ari back. I don’t think anyone in the family has any interest in the outcome at all.
In an interview, you mentioned that you and your brothers always had a passion for aliyah. How was this instilled in you and how did you come to make the decision to do so?
We grew up in a very Zionist home; it was in our blood from a young age. We made aliyah the second we could.
How did you come to be a tech entrepreneur?
I’ve always loved tech. I came to Israel as a child 30 years ago. I started my career here. I started my blogging and writing about tech here as well.
We see on both sides of the aisle how, on the one side there are those who say they’re not antisemitic; they’re “just” anti-Zionist. Others might claim to be pro-Israel but are virulent antisemites.
Anti-Zionism is this generation’s mask; 95% of Jews are Zionist. You can’t parse the two. It’s a joke. If you do not believe that the Jewish people deserve a state that shelters and protects them, you are an antisemite. For people to claim they are anti-Zionist but not antisemitic is just ridiculous. The premise is absurd.
Do you have a message of hope for New Jersey Jews?
Hashem is protecting us. We will win as we’ve always won. But we need you here, and you need to be here.
How can people reach you to find out more about taking the plunge or to take you up on that shawarma offer once they reach the Holy Land?
They can reach me through my social media channels: @HilzFuld on Instagram and X; look me up on Facebook; HillelFuld.com. I’m available and accessible. I look forward to speaking with you.
Chaim Yehuda Meyer is an attorney and writer whose articles have appeared in the Jewish Link and other publications, covering a range of topics from halacha to American law, book reviews to lectures, politics to community events. He can be reached at [email protected]
