Torah Fund Stands with Israel:  Our Fascinating Series Continues 

It is more important now than ever to have spiritual and factual guidance from those in the know, and we are fortunate to have dynamic, knowledgeable guest speakers for our Torah Fund Stands with Israel virtual series. On January 21 we had our ninth program, with 120 attendees on Zoom learning from Rabbi Stewart Vogel and Israeli diplomat Yuval Donio-Gideon.   

It’s Four Cups—or Is It Five? 

Cofounder of Hamakom (The Place), Rabbi Stewart Vogel is the immediate past president of the Rabbinical Assembly. A best-selling author and recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from JTS, he has served in many positions during his illustrious career.   

Rabbi Vogel began his talk by sharing how he personally benefited from and appreciates Torah Fund, then detailed the frightening times for our Jewish community. As an example, he described the experience of a congregant wearing an Israeli soldier’s dog tag replica who heard a stranger say, “They deserve it. It’s a long time coming.” He reminded us that antisemitism has always been part of our history and referenced the “Zionism is racism” campaign. “Our connection to Israel has always been to the land,” he said, “despite some current scholars trying to negate that association.”

He then explained the four Pesah glasses of wine as G-d’s promise: I will free you—I will deliver you—I will save you (at the Sea of Reeds)—I will take you as a nation (with the 10 commandments at Mt. Sinai). The fifth cup, Rabbi Vogel teaches, is the promise that G-d will bring us to the land of Israel. Yet we only drink four cups! What happened to that fifth cup? 

Rabbi Vogel shares that this is the Cup of Elijah and that Elijah will answer our questions and uncertainties before the coming of the Messiah. The fifth cup signifies the unfulfilled dream of our redemption before 1948. 

Those who see us as conquerors and colonialists don’t understand our narrative. For Jews, it’s about coming home. More than just calling out hatred, he teaches us that we need to be able to respond intellectually. New answers are needed. His wishes for us and Israel are safety, peace, the successful immediate return of the hostages, and Am Yisrael Chai! 

Fake News, Feminist Disappointment, and Frank Talk 

Yuval Donio-Gideon, consul for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate of Israel in New York since 2022, was the featured speaker reporting on the current state of Israeli affairs. With a distinguished diplomatic career since 2006, he has served in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Finland, and Estonia, and in the North American Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also serving as the Representative to the Planning Directorate of the IDF. His territory includes New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Ohio, with responsibilities for major events and outreach with non-governmental organizations, community leaders, and academic institutions. He helps Israelis return home and coordinates talent and funds for Israel. He has been especially active with the families of women abducted on October 7.  

Yuval began his presentation cautioning that there is a lot of fake news and denial of events out there, despite widespread evidence of what happened on October 7. He questioned why this denial, justification, and dehumanization exists. Is it just because the victims are Israelis and mostly Jews? 

It was heartbreaking to listen to his dismay and disappointment in describing the lack of support from social action organizations, especially those with a feminist bent. He told of hearing that the root causes of the rapes that occurred must be dealt with. This lack of compassion for the victims is not only anti-Israel and anti-Jewish, but also sets back women’s rights for generations. This is rape-blaming, which would never otherwise be tolerated or excused by these same organizations, and it undermines basic decency and morals of society. He described the actions taken by Hamas and its supporters on October 7 as nothing but antisemitism, barbarism, brutality, and pure evil. Is there ever justification for raping women and burning babies, and then describing these acts as “exhilarating events”? 

Yuval shared that he is a son of Holocaust survivors and agrees that Israel should be held accountable at the highest standards. But unlike the Holocaust, when many evil acts were kept secret, Hamas is proud to show what it has done. It is important that we reach out beyond our immediate circles, Yuval encouraged. The United States cannot ignore what happens in other parts of the world; radicalism and barbarism elsewhere will likely come here as well. 

Yuval then took questions from the audience. The topic of a ceasefire was raised. Yuval assured the audience that Israelis want their pre–October 7 life back and, more than anything, want the hostages to be returned. However, the dismantling of Hamas is now the most significant goal, and under the circumstances, this is what any government would do for its citizens. Yuval agreed that the government failed on October 7 and has no intention of letting that happen again. Israel will speak to anyone with leverage to bring the hostages home, but it is firm in its intention to deconstruct Hamas. 

A question about the United Nations and their help and involvement was posed. Yuval indicated that the role of the UN is very limited; representatives can only do what their sovereign governments permit. Many countries that are not free align with the Palestinians, and most of the free world aligns with Israel. The influence of the Security Council is different, and the United States has veto powers. Israel’s efforts are to change perceptions. Countries that support Hamas are not supporting Palestinians. In power in Gaza since 2007, Hamas has not allowed elections nor supported its people; it has been a brutal regime. 

Yuval then spoke about Israeli intelligence and how this attack could have happened without Israeli knowledge. He was honest when he said Israel screwed up, adding that an in-depth investigation needs to occur, with complete transparency. Many Israelis are furious, though he readily acknowledged that hindsight is easy. 

Subjects of additional inquiry that Yuval touched on included access by the Red Cross to the hostages, whether the brokered agreement was honored to provide medicine to the hostages, and the action of South Africa at the Hague, accusing Israel of committing genocide. Yuval characterized South Africa’s attempt as “noise” to justify barbarian attacks. His assessment was correct; on January 26, the International Court of Justice did not order Israel to cease military operations in Gaza, although it did order Israel to demonstrate its compliance in not violating the Genocide Convention.  

So what should we be doing? Yuval suggests speaking up and sticking to the facts. Be wary of fake news. Expose truth. Watch Bear Witness (a 47-minute IDF film depicting the real story), visit Israel, and maintain a connection with Israel by doing business, making donations, and visiting family members. Don’t let the world break our will.  

Thanks to our guest speakers for their knowledge, enthusiasm, time, and forthright, honest presentations. We benefit from listening. 

If you missed this program, you can screen it here.