This week, I was in Washington, D.C. attending the AIPAC Congressional Summit along with over 1,500 political activists. On Monday evening, many members of Congress attended the event, and, on Tuesday, we all went to Capitol Hill to lobby. It is clear that October 7 has shifted the discourse about Israel in Washington. Many friends of Israel are even more passionate about the justness of strong US support for Israel. There are other, thankfully fewer, voices that just don’t get that Hamas is responsible for everything they criticize Israel for.
On my way to visit Congressman Dan Goldman, I passed the offices of other representatives. The walls in front of many offices were plastered signs and notes. Some were expressions of district or state pride, and others mentioned issues important to them. I noticed an “I Stand with Israel” sign outside the office Congressman Robert Aderholt of Alabama. Since representatives also have a sign that says, “Please come in,” that’s what I did. I walked inside. The congressman was busy, but his chief of staff welcomed me and asked what I wanted. I explained that I am a Rabbi from New York. I saw the sign supporting Israel and wanted to say thank you. He replied, “Of course. It’s the right thing to do.”
There aren’t many Jews in Alabama, but Congressman Aderholt feels the issue is important enough to make the visible statement. There are plenty more such signs – and plenty of other friends without signs.
We have friends. We need to keep and cultivate these friends.
Someone asked whether my visit to Washington left me feeling optimistic or pessimistic. This was part of a conversation discussing the recent pro-Palestinian protests outside synagogues hosting Israel real estate fairs. He figured I’d be pessimistic, but I am feeling optimistic. It’s aggravating and dispiriting when the protests are so loud. It is discouraging when friends turn against us. At the same time, we have plenty of friends. We shouldn’t focus on our opponents; we’re not going to change their minds. Instead, we should focus on those who support us and those whose view can be shaped. And there are many of them.
New data from the Harvard-Harris’ February poll show that a majority of Americans across the political spectrum continue to support Israel and its war against Hamas. Here are six notable findings:
-
63% of
Americans support Israel continuing its ground campaign in southern Gaza to
root out Hamas.
-
67% of
Americans support a ceasefire only after all hostages are released and Hamas is
removed from power.
-
82% of
Americans stand firmly with Israel and support our ally over Hamas.
-
66% of
Americans recognize Israel’s significant efforts to avoid civilian casualties
in Gaza.
-
55% of
Americans support the president’s $14.3 billion emergency aid package for
Israel.
-
78% of
Americans oppose continued Hamas rule of Gaza.
Naama just returned from a JNF Volunteer for Israel Mission. In addition to all of the meaningful experiences, she was blown away by the diversity of participants, some of whom had never been to Israel before.
We have friends. We have support out there. We need to concentrate on our friends and pay less attention to those who wish us ill. Don’t let critical headlines and noisy detractors spoil the solid support we do enjoy.
We’re just over a week from Purim. It is a holiday that brings people together. We come together to hear Megillah and recount the story of salvation. We gather around the table together for a festive meal. We extend our hands to those in need, and we send gifts of food to each other, mishloach manot.
The source of the mitzvah of mishloach manot is Esther 9:19:
וּמִשְׁלוֹחַ
מָנוֹת אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ
Send
portions of food from one friend to another.
The rabbis debate whether focus should be on the food or the friends. What difference does it make? It can make quite a bit.
If the mishloach manot is all about the food, then the recipient must actually eat the food that is delivered from the sender to fulfill the mitzvah. If it’s about friendship, maybe a gift card or nice note will suffice. Which is more important?
I like a nice Purim treat as much as the next person, but, today, we need much more focus on friends. This is true in a Shul or a neighborhood, and it’s true when it comes to Israel. We must stand up for Israel and the hostages and push back against our enemies. At the same time, we should encourage those who are allied with our cause to bring them even closer. In these complicated times, we should remain focused and united. Hamas is evil and can end this way very simply by surrendering and freeing the hostages. All the rest is commentary and headlines and noise.
We need more mishloach manot, more friends, and more friendship. This will, please God, lead to the outcome described in Megillat Esther (8:16) “La’Yehudim hayta orah v’simcha v’sasone vi’kar – For the Jews, there will be light, joy, celebration, and honor.”
Kein tihyeh lanu – So may it be for us!
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