January is here and the talk seems to be the important question of where people are going for their children’s winter break. Staying home will happen for some, even though in many cases parents are feeling guilty that they have to impose this option on their children. In all of the years that our children were growing up, they knew that as soon as they had any type of major school break we would be off to visit grandparents. I doubt that there are many locally who have grandparents living in Cancun, the Bahamas, or Ocho Rios, yet tons of people seem to be readying themselves for such destinations. It is not just the cost of the trip, it also means making sure that the proper clothing in the proper sizes have been purchased so that everyone will be well prepared.

I have read several letters sent to congregants from local rabbonim imploring them to not take these types of lavish vacations while the war continues in Israel. Especially while so many evacuees are living from day to day waiting to find out if they will ever go home. Each day I dread reading the names of the chayalim killed either in Gaza or up North, praying that I will not recognize a name I know. I then realize how foolish that is, as every single one of those men are actually related to me. In my mind, lying on the beach while this is going on is an atrocity. No, life should not be going on as normal for us as every single day the numbers are increasing of wounded and killed chayalim.

Living in a country where so many of us are trapped in the feeling that we should not be here any more but have little choices at the moment. Watching Harvard University have a bigot for a president, who finally resigned her position and will still retain a hefty amount of money; watching to see if I should drive down Queen Anne while a demonstration of Palestinians takes place at the Votee Center; hoping that when I leave for Israel on Sunday the same meshuganas will not be closing the New Jersey Turnpike on our way to the airport. Is this real?

Is this 2024 in America? Unfortunately each time I pass someone wearing a hijab I wonder if she is friend or enemy. For those who have not thought of these things I wonder how you cannot. No, I do not want to think that one day as I am planning to cross the GWB I will have to change my plans because there is a “demonstration” blocking the bridge. I am shocked that there are no laws preventing this from happening. Should this not be a crime?

We at The Jewish Link are proud of the group that will be leaving on Sunday for Israel. This is not a group of wealthy individuals. They have their priorities set appropriately and wish to walk the streets, give some hugs and absorb as much as possible of what our tiny little country is going through. We are missionaries whose sole intent is to show the Israelis how much we care about them.

I am excited, not at all scared, and anxious to get the “show on the road.”

Next week from Yerushalayim!

Nina Glick can be reached at [email protected].