The events of Oct. 7 have affected Jews all over the world. Putting aside the difficult politics of how to end this conflict, Jews and others have responded to the very real human crisis affecting all Israelis. The crisis is one of proportionality. The population of Israel cannot sustain the sheer volume of fatalities. Young brides have lost their equally young husbands, parents have lost children, babies have lost fathers, and many citizens young and old, male and female have left their families and jobs to defend Israel. The Talmud teaches that in a war such as this, a milchemet hovah or milchemet mitzvah, even a bride goes forth to battle from the chuppah.

There are so many areas of life that have been disrupted because of this war. Tourism has been affected, but people are still visiting Israel. More importantly, people are coming to volunteer to replace those who are now serving in the IDF. Medical and dental personnel, harvesters, warehouse workers, clerks, packers, teachers. On a recent trip I met a non-Jewish group of volunteers including a gentleman from Fair Lawn! My daughter, her husband and my granddaughter packed produce and many, many others have come and still continue to come to fill the gap in the various jobs and professions that are needed to fill slots previously taken by those who are now soldiers. This is one response that is finite.

Various organizations have stepped in to help with housing, food and clothing for those displaced from their homes as well as to provide well care and social workers.

The biggest and most serious issue confronts those who have lost a loved one, whether a child, spouse or parent—how to go on after the funeral. The well wishers are gone, the house is empty. The pain doesn’t go away.

We have read many stories, seen many broadcasts, and we have all been touched by the tragedies that have left families bereft of loved ones. As impactful as these stories are, they do not compare to hearing them live from the mouths of those who have lost someone.

The recent program at Congregation Shomrei Torah of Fair Lawn’s Zayin Adar Dinner featured two speakers who lost children as well as someone who arranges shabbatonim for families who have suffered a loss. Rabbi Heshie LoewensteIn and Einav Danino shared their stories to a hushed ballroom. Rabbi Lowenstein’s son Elisha was recently married. He was a prodigious and exceptional Talmud scholar. He was also a tank gunner who was killed in a direct missile strike in Gaza. His story was as powerful as it was depressing.

Einav Danino’s son Ori was captured at the Nova Music Festival after saving some of his friends and fighting off terrorists. He was malnourished and held in a tunnel for months on end. He didn’t survive his captivity. These stories brought home the terrible cost that Israelis are paying to maintain their security.

We also heard from Mendy Koenig, an extraordinary individual who has been working tirelessly since the start of the war to support the families who lost loved ones. He has been facilitating shabbatonim, Yom Tov meals, opportunities for respite, and gatherings that bring comfort and healing to these grieving families.

We are One. Sharing grief and supporting those who are grieving is a hallmark of the Jewish people.

Rabbi Wallace Greene is a featured columnist for The Jewish Link.