Rabbi's Musings

Interesting phenomenon since October 7, 2023, besides all the continued war and antisemitism: there has been a noticeable surge of Jewish life. Ironic and paradoxical, but there it is.

No doubt, since October 7, 2023, there has been a noticeable surge in Jewish identity, unity, and aliyah (immigration to Israel) in response to the Hamas attack on Israel. This surge has manifested in several ways:

1. Increased Jewish Solidarity: Across the world, Jewish communities have come together in unprecedented ways, with increased support for Israel, rallies, prayer gatherings, and community security initiatives.
    
2. Rise in Aliyah: Many Jews, especially from Western countries, have expressed a stronger desire to move to Israel, seeing it as a safer or more meaningful place to live despite the conflict. The Jewish Agency and Nefesh B’Nefesh have reported growing interest.
    
3. Security and Self-Defense Awareness: Jewish communities worldwide have heightened security measures and self-defense training due to rising antisemitism. Many Jewish individuals are also engaging more with organizations that focus on protecting Jewish rights and combating misinformation.
    
4. Religious and Cultural Reconnection: Many Jews, even those who were previously less engaged, have turned to religious observance, Torah study, and Jewish traditions as a source of strength and identity.
    
5. Political and Advocacy Efforts: Jewish advocacy groups have become more vocal, engaging in media, lobbying efforts, and legal action to combat antisemitism and misinformation regarding Israel and the conflict.​​​​​​​

In the category of “take the win,” I celebrate this surge. I invite you to ramp up your Jewish participation in any way you can and am here to help! CBSW is here to help. Let’s celebrate our Jewish heritage and values – this is how we win.