Seeing almost 300,000 people in Washington DC who had come together from across the country to stand with Israel and to stand strong against antisemitism was awe inspiring and a very powerful sight to see.
From the family members of the hostages who spoke, to the college kids and so many others who spoke from both sides of the aisle, it was refreshing and empowering to see, and a truly strong message of unity and so much more.
Earlier in the week, I was at the Chabad Conference in New York where I had the honor to meet Rabbi Zev Pizem from Chabad of Sedorot, near the Gaza Strip, who spoke at the conference along with his son and 9 year old grandson, about the realities on the ground for them and their community and the many people that they help.
Rabbi Pizem lost many personal friends on the first day of this attack, and his community was truly shattered.
Through the generous help of so many people in our community, we were able to help his community and multiple other communities and people in the frontlines of this challenge, and continue to do so every day.
Hearing his nine year old grandson speak yesterday about the 12 seconds that he has to get to a shelter, and his commitment to stay and continue to help people, was very powerful. I encourage you to watch this powerful video https://www.
Many of the sessions focused on Israel, advocating for the return of the Hostages, dealing with rising antisemitism across the world and in college campuses in this country, and how we will continue to help grow Judaism and Jewish Life.
Along with the prayers for the restoration of peace and overcoming this evil, the theme was one of strength, pride and determination so that Am Yisroel Chai, will continue to resonate ever louder and brighter across the world.
I know I speak for many others, who left this convention or who attended the rally in Washington this week, with a resolute determination to continue to fight and advocate for good, for Judaism, for light over darkness, for kindness over hatred, for Israel and the Jewish people, and for the return of the hostages.
Together, we will overcome this challenge!
Am Yisroel Chai!
Yisroel