Israeli troopers have a look at photographs of individuals killed and brought captive by Hamas militants throughout their violent rampage by means of the Nova music pageant in southern Israel, that are displayed on the website of the occasion, to commemorate the October 7, bloodbath, close to kibbutz Re’im, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.
AP Picture/Ariel Schalit
I returned Friday from a four-day go to to Israel, the place I walked by means of the horrors of hell and heard from displaced households and survivors of the Oct seventh bloodbath. Regardless of their harrowing experiences, I noticed the power of peace-loving activists devoted to constructing bridges.
We went to the positioning the place mother and father have been butchered in entrance of their kids, girls have been group-raped, and others beheaded. We visited Kfar Aza and prayed on the place the place a pair was burnt alive, and youngsters have been kidnapped into Gaza. We spoke to survivors who heard the bloodbath round them and hid for 14 hours earlier than they have been rescued. There isn’t a longer a have to take our youth to Poland for them to witness the horrors of anti-Semitism. It occurred once more in Israel.
One deeply impactful second was standing behind the Bibas household’s family members, who confronted unspeakable tragedy. The complete household — mother, dad, and two infants — have been kidnapped into Gaza. I held an indication of Ariel, a four-year-old, and the particular person subsequent to me held an indication of a 10-month-old, Kfir. Who kidnaps infants?
As I headed to the airport Thursday, Hamas launched a disgusting propaganda video of terrorists informing the daddy that his spouse and youngsters had been killed (nonetheless independently unconfirmed). I stored the poster of Ariel and introduced it again to America, hoping and praying it wasn’t true.
Yesterday in Brooklyn, I witnessed crowds chanting “Resistance is justified,” referring to the rape and bloodbath of our folks on Oct seventh. They proclaimed that Zionists weren’t welcome right here and that Israel needed to go. Photos of Kfar Aza and the voices of the victims got here to thoughts. How can this be occurring in Brooklyn? Are we protected right here?
As we confront rising anti-Semitism, I urge fellow Jews to face tall, proud, and united. Don’t be afraid. Our power lies in our unity — we’re one household, and Am Yisroel Chai!
To these not of the Jewish religion, I implore you to not stay silent. Stand with humanity in opposition to hatred, injustice, and denial. Take into account visiting Israel, listening to the tales firsthand, and exhibiting solidarity.
Present help for our group throughout this darkish time.
Stand with us!
Rabbi Yaacov Behrman
President, Jewish Future Alliance
