The power of double standards and the power to justify even the greatest of atrocities truly baffles me, amazes me, causes pain deep in my soul, and begs me to ask myself, am I delusional? Where must I show up to be a better human?

Israel, my country, the place I consider my ultimate home, where I plan on living once my children are grown, has suffered the greatest terror attack in its history. Not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been killed in one day. Babies, mothers, grandparents, fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts kidnapped, beheaded, and murdered in the name of pure hate.

The response of so many is justification and condoning of such disgusting acts of terrorist violence. I cannot even begin to comprehend this; how can anyone think it’s ever okay to attack innocent people? How can it be that EVIL isn’t called EVIL by the people of the world.

Truthfully, I have no answer and I’m so, so, so sad and heartbroken. I have never felt this unsafe to be a Jew in America.

I have had so many dear friends reach out and offer unconditional support and condemning this week’s events, so I don’t want to state that everyone is bad and that all responses have been horrible. I just don’t understand or comprehend the world we live in, and how so much evil exists and is widely supported.

I won’t even dare to ask why, or what do you think, or seek a reason for something that has no reason. All I’m going to do is hold my loved ones close, be extra kind, and do my part to be the best version of me.

I want to sign off by honoring Yosef Malachi, the son of one of my dearest friends and partners, who was killed saving hundreds on Saturday. His small unit of 5 fought a group of 70 vicious murderers so we can have freedom and so we can be safe. My only consolation is that he died a hero, defending his home that he truly loved so much. May his family find solace and comfort, even though I don’t know how that happens.

Accountability, Community, Unconditional Love

Asher

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Posted in Thought of the Week