4 | FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 J
N
PURELY COMMENTARY
guest column
Finding Unity in Israel
S
itting on an El Al plane waiting
to take off, I realized that, for the
first time on my many flights to
Israel, I was happy to see not even one
empty seat on the plane. Despite the
fact that Israel is considered a war zone;
in fact, because of it, the
Jewish people are more
motivated to travel to our
beloved land than ever
before.
I traveled to Israel to
volunteer in patrol units
around Jerusalem and Judea
and Samaria and to visit
several of the Jewish communities ZOA
has provided with protective gear and
equipment.
After the Oct. 7 massacre, volunteer
community patrol units were established
or expanded as Israelis realized the
pressing need to be able to defend their
own neighborhoods from attacks.
While visiting some of the communities
ZOA has supported, I was humbled by
the sheer number of volunteers who
took it upon themselves to protect their
neighborhoods, even late into the night. I
watched some of these incredible citizens
finish their patrol shift at 6 a.m. and head
straight to work.
I had the honor, as sad as it was, to visit
a shivah in the city of Efrat for a fallen
IDF hero who was killed while fighting
in Gaza. Efrat is over the “green line”
and is typically considered a religious
community, yet it brought me strength to
see Israelis from all walks of life, secular
and religious, politically on the right and
left, come pay their respects to our fallen
soldier and comfort the bereaved family.
The message I heard over and over
during the course of my travels — from
community members, soldiers and
families in mourning — was a plea to
continue, despite our differences, to find
unity and to continue until there is a
complete victory over Hamas.
I returned from my trip encouraged
and inspired by the strength of the people
of Israel. I am confident that despite
the hard challenges the Jewish people
currently face, with the help of God and
the spirit of all those who represent the
good in the world, we will win.
Kobi Erez is executive director of ZOA.
Kobi Erez
..
‘The War and the Day After’
On Wednesday, March 13, at 7 p.m.
at Bais Chabad Torah Center of
West Bloomfield (5595 W. Maple
Road), Kobi Erez and Rabbi Shneur
Silberberg will present “Discovering
Israel from on the Ground : A
Thought-Provoking Political and
Spiritual Analysis on the War and
the Day After.” Israeli wine and
refreshments will be served. RSVP to
Kobi@mizoa.org or call (248) 672-7713.
28123 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248.553.2400
holocaustcenter.org
Our memorial will be followed by a
dessert reception. This free event will be
ofered in-person and online via Zoom.
Presented in partnership with Temple Shir Shalom and Wayne State University
An Enduring Legacy:
Celebrating the Life
of Dr. Guy Stern
Sunday, March 10
11:00 AM EDT
Register at HolocaustCenter.org/Guy