Torah Fund Stands With Israel: Another Riveting Discussion 

I wish there were positive news to report about peace, progress, and the return of hostages, but sadly, there is not. We need to remain hopeful and stay informed. Our guest speakers at the May 7 Torah Fund Stands with Israel virtual program accomplished that goal for us, and we are grateful. 

Words to Inspire…During a Time So Dire 

Rabbi Adam Greenwald presented the d’var Torah. The rabbi at Congregation B’nai Israel in Orange County, California, he was the Vice President for Jewish Engagement at AJU, founding the Maas Center for Jewish Journeys and directing the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program. He has been a lecturer at the Ziegler School for Rabbinic Studies, where he was ordained, and he is an author featured in many print and digital publications.   

Rabbi Greenwald began his talk by expressing his gratitude to Torah Fund for making it possible for him to attend rabbinical school. He spoke about one of his students, who came from the Philippines and was converting to Judaism. She questioned why her fiancé had such a strong connection to Israel. Why was it more than his connection to the United States? Rabbi Greenwald explained that our tradition leads to a connection between the nation (Am) and the land (Eretz).  We say “Next year in Jerusalem” during both Pesach and Yom Kippur. We pray in the direction of Israel. For those of us in the United States, we face east. There is a constant reinforcement of our connection to Israel.   

He taught us about Psalm 126 and Psalm 137, where it is our dream to go home to Israel. Tears of dead spirits will be replaced with the joy of life and full flowering of redemption. Our souls live in Israel even if we are not physically there. We lean into our Jewish practices of ritual and tradition. We recognize our two calendars: one where we are and one where we want to be. We will keep that dream and our connection to Israel alive and never waver, leading to a brighter, joyful, more redeemed future. 

A Frank Discussion about a Multi-Dimensional Situation 

Our featured presenter was Ambassador Jacob Keidar, who has served as Ambassador to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Kenya, and Consul General in Shanghai, with accreditation to Uganda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia. He has also served as Inspector General of the Foreign Service, Deputy Director General for Middle Eastern Affairs, and Director of the Multilateral Peace Process.  A board member of the Museum of Islamic Art in Jerusalem, Ambassador Keidar volunteers at the Public Diplomacy Bureau of the Foreign Ministry. 

He began by thanking us for inviting him and for our support for Israel. He noted that our event was held on the seven-month anniversary of October 7, and that we are now dealing with a multidimensional situation, including the Israel–Gaza War, world reaction, and the rise in antisemitism. 

Due to the successful Rafah operation, Israel mostly controls the Gaza strip. In light of this, what should be done with the civilian population who left to go south? There are difficult humanitarian issues. The 132 remaining hostages in captivity need to be freed, and Israel wants to keep them safe, believing most are in the south. Food, tents, and medical supplies need to be provided for the civilian population. Israel’s objectives fall into three categories: 

1. Military: The military might of Hamas must be destroyed. There has been success, but it is partial, as Hamas is still there. 
   
   
2. Hostages: The hostages must be brought home. 
   
   
3. Security: Israel must be able to provide security for towns and kibbutzim near Gaza. 

This all must be done while working in accordance with international law. 

Ambassador Keidar relayed that as of October 6, there WAS a ceasefire in Gaza. Israel has not been there since 2006. Israel did not start this escalation of violence. 

He then described the situation in Lebanon, using his own sister Esther as an example. She has not been able to return to her home in the north, and doesn’t know when she will be able to return. There is a “low intensity” war currently conducted against Hezbollah, and the current situation is hell.

The increase in tensions between Israel and Iran were discussed next, including Iran’s recent rocket and missile launch against Israel. Iran continues to use proxies and is on the cusp of becoming a nuclear state, which will be a disaster if that occurs, and will cause a dramatic change in the Middle East. 

His next topic included the social media campaign against Israel. Several countries have turned vocally against Israel, including boycotts of Israeli goods by Turkey, the cutting of international ties with Israel by Bolivia and Columbia, South Africa’s request that the International Court of Justice take action against Israel, and various resolutions against Israel. There was the fear that the International Criminal Court may issue arrest warrants for war crimes for Israeli officers and politicians. 

Yet the news is not all bad. The United States is still a strong ally, as are Britain, France, Germany, and what the ambassador calls the “pragmatic Arab countries” who secretly support Israel. Many countries fear radical Islam, and Ambassador Keidar noted that membership in the Swiss–Israeli Friendship Group has doubled. Kenya has continued to be very supportive of Israel. Switzerland has been surprisingly positive. Japan is one of the few countries where Israelis feel safe. There is the recognition that the concept of global jihadists wanting to radicalize future generations is very concerning. 

Still, there is a lot of misinformation, and the international media is focused on humanitarian issues and civilian casualties. There have been demonstrations, boycotting, even intellectual violence (defined as someone who uses a theory or buzzword to intimidate others in a meeting situation) observed in Germany, Holland and Britain. This is really nothing new.  The Ambassador shared that in 2003, he was prevented from speaking to an audience in Sweden.  So this is not a new phenomenon, it has simply intensified now. 

He spoke about students who support Hamas and don’t believe the atrocities they perpetrated. The students lack historical and political knowledge, and they get their “facts” from organized social media. The ultra-right, radical left, Muslim organizations, and Russia and China perpetuate this fake news. 

As measured by the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitism has increased by 360 percent since October 7. 86 percent of French Jews feel threatened. Ambassador Keidar doesn’t believe the antisemitic climate will end, though it may diminish in time. He believes local governments must be more forceful in ending violence and encampments and that Israel needs to work more closely with world communities.  

The only bleak smile seen from the ambassador during his entire presentation was when he was told of President Biden’s forceful talk against antisemitism the morning of our event. He said that sadly, these conflicts will not end soon. He hopes for successful negotiations but is doubtful. He ended with, “Am Yisrael Chai!”

Torah Fund suggests support for Israel by buying merchandise through the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute (IEICI).