I’ve had the immense privilege of spending Pesach in Ashkelon and, Baruch Hashem, hope to remain for the next couple of weeks. This past Shabbat, during shalaseudos, I chatted with a lovely Portuguese Israeli lady fluent in English. At the conclusion of Maariv service, she informed me that the kehila was reciting Tehilim (Psalms) because of the war. She asked me if anything like that was being done in America. I was a bit shocked. I mentioned how Young Israel of Passaic recites Tehilim and that Tehilim groups have sprouted on social media.
She was glad to hear that. She explained that when the war first started American Jews were very involved but that, now, it seems Americans have forgotten them. After landing in Israel, April 6, on my way to Ashkelon, sirens suddenly blared and everyone rushed out of the van and “hit the ground.” I’ve experienced sirens before but never been exposed in the open air, forced to run for cover and drop face down. Next to us was a young mother, crouched over her baby, gently cradling it. Yes, the threats are still very real.
While The Jewish Link and other organizations have conducted trips and campaigns proudly supporting Israel in many ways, maybe something has waned in the heart of American Jews. Maybe Israelis do need more moral support… We in America have returned to our jobs, sports and hobbies. We know there is a war in Israel – but it’s over there. Far away. Here, in Israel, it is a constant entity, even though Israelis go about their daily lives.
Are we really feeling the pain of our brothers and sisters in Israel? A pain just as piercing now as it was Oct. 7. Our hostages are still being tortured in the hell tunnels of Hamas. Our beautiful chayalim are being maimed and killed. People are being injured, falling while running to shelters! That includes the elderly, who can’t run but still need to find shelter. Not to mention how many Israelis are traumatized and develop mental health issues. Children are affected by the trauma and drama. Some more than others, very seriously. Did you know that even pets suffer? The family where I attended the Seder has a very sweet dog, a labrador. This dog was so affected by the constant sirens that she had developed PSTD, being afraid at night, whimpering and whining.
Celebrations of Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, have been curtailed due to the war. No fireworks. No aerial or flotilla displays. Maybe, as time passes, apathy among American Jews has grown. Maybe we need to do more to show Israelis that we still care. That we haven’t forgotten them.
PS: What about a moment of silence before our sports events in yeshivas? Before our lavish communal dinners? How can we go about our daily lives without acknowledging the torture our brothers and sisters are still forced to endure?
