Balancing Hope and Reality
What is the Role of American Jews After October 7?
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
An American theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr, is credited with composing the Serenity Prayer. This prayer encapsulates the challenge of staying grounded in reality while striving for positive change and holding onto one’s principles.
How do I stay rooted in faith, hope, and love while remaining grounded in the realities and facts as they are? How do I balance these principles in relation to the ongoing conflict between Israel, my home country, and the Palestinians? It’s extremely challenging, and even more, it’s painful and sad.
On the one hand, my faith compels me to seek peace and understanding. I am guided by hope for a future where coexistence and mutual respect prevail, and I am driven by love for all people involved in this conflict. These values are integral to my identity and my vision for a better world.
On the other hand, I must confront the harsh realities of the conflict. The facts on the ground are complex and painful, resembling the parallel realities in the movie “The Matrix” that could never meet. One perspective regards the land as a final sanctuary post-Holocaust, open to compromises, while the other perceives it as occupied by a colonial power, anticipating eventual liberation from the river to the sea.
On both sides, elements of religiosity-driven ideology are present. However, Israeli culture is driven by secular ideals about the here and now and how it can be improved, whereas Palestinian culture is religious, with its ideological concerns focused on the next life.
Acknowledging these truths is crucial to any meaningful dialogue and resolution, but unfortunately, I don’t see it happening in the near future. All indicators show further hardening on both sides, especially since October 7, 2023.
I recently read an editorial in a Jewish newspaper urging the Jewish American community to support the establishment of a Palestinian state. Additionally, I noted remarks from a prominent Jewish entertainment businessman during his award acceptance speech, calling for the removal of Israel’s Prime Minister. This is not the right time for such calls, regardless of whether a two-state solution is the only answer or whether Mr. Netanyahu is the right person for the job. Instead, the Jewish community should focus on demonstrating its resolve and unity in support of Israel.
Rather than offering advice or getting involved in the internal public opinion rift in Israel, which is fraught with hate, foul language, and divisive actions, we should concentrate on a singular, unified message. The Jewish community in the United States needs to convey one clear and unwavering sentiment. As the Israeli writer Amos Oz poignantly expressed, “To be a Jew means to feel that wherever a Jew is persecuted for being a Jew — that means you.”
We should focus on solidarity and support in these challenging times, not contributing to the discord. We must stand together and advocate for the safety and well-being of our fellow Jews, reflecting our shared commitment to Israel’s security and dignity.